Fantastic images of the 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the popular Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. This ice festival attracts more than one million visitors every year.
It takes several weeks to create the sculptures. First ice blocks from the frozen Songhua river were cut in December and transported by hundreds of workers to the city's main site where workers and artists then create the huge snow and ice buildings.
For weeks before the festival, hired workers collect and transport nearly 200,000 cubic meters (261,500 cubic yards) of ice to the site. The blocks weigh up to 700 kilograms (1,545 pounds) each.
The craftily sculpted snow and ice creations are not only a feast for the eyes. Some of these massive sculptures can even be played, walked and climbed on. There are also illuminated ice slides that visitors can ride on next to the huge creations. Along the Songhua river, 2019 snow men are on display as well. There are many activities for the whole family during the festival. These include swimming and ice sculpture contests.
Harbin with roughly 5.7 million inhabitants is one of the largest cities in north-eastern China. Harbin is the capital city of the Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia to the east and north.
source: The Atlantic