<strong>Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival:</strong> Famous for its huge, intricate ice sculptures, the 33rd Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival is now underway.
Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival: Famous for its huge, intricate ice sculptures, the 33rd Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival is now underway.
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<strong>Opening ceremony: </strong>The event, which lasts till the end of February, kicked off with a large fireworks display on January 5.
Opening ceremony: The event, which lasts till the end of February, kicked off with a large fireworks display on January 5.
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<strong>Selfie central: </strong>Expect plenty of scenes like this. The festival's Ice and Snow World zone, which covers more than 750,000 square meters, was made for selfies.
Selfie central: Expect plenty of scenes like this. The festival's Ice and Snow World zone, which covers more than 750,000 square meters, was made for selfies.
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<strong>The goddess: </strong>Many of the Ice and Snow World's sculptures were inspired by Chinese fairy tales and global landmarks. This giant sculpture of Kuanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy, towers over a castle-like structure made from blocks of ice.
The goddess: Many of the Ice and Snow World's sculptures were inspired by Chinese fairy tales and global landmarks. This giant sculpture of Kuanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy, towers over a castle-like structure made from blocks of ice.
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<strong>World's best snow festival?: </strong> The Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival has grown to become one of the biggest snow festival destinations in the world, joining the ranks of the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Canada's Quebec Winter Carnival and Norway's Holmenkollen Ski Festival.
World's best snow festival?: The Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival has grown to become one of the biggest snow festival destinations in the world, joining the ranks of the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Canada's Quebec Winter Carnival and Norway's Holmenkollen Ski Festival.
NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Songhua River:</strong> Remarkably, the blocks of ice used to create the sculptures were taken from Harbin's frozen Songhua River.
Songhua River: Remarkably, the blocks of ice used to create the sculptures were taken from Harbin's frozen Songhua River.
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<strong>Icy art:</strong> Thanks to the area's chilly winter climate, the festival usually lasts until late February.
Icy art: Thanks to the area's chilly winter climate, the festival usually lasts until late February.
Tao Zhang/NurPhoto via Getty Images