Fairy palaces, pagodas and majestic skyscrapers - carved from blocks of ice - that's only part of the exhibits presented at the 28th annual festival of snow and ice in Harbin.
The festival, one of the most significant among such events around the world, officially opened January 5 and lasts for a month. However, artifacts are often open earlier and, weather permitting, stay for a long time. People from all over China and from other countries come to Harbin to admire amazing sculptures made of ice and snow. Talented sculptors adorn their works illumination, which makes them even more unusual species. Ice sculptures are treated as using modern tools such as laser and through more traditional means. Blocks of ice, from which cut sculptures taken from the Songhua River flows nearby
16. Tourists at the International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in January 2008.
17. Tourists climb the ice blocks made of stairs while celebrating the new year in Harbin, 31 December 2007.
18. A giant ice sculpture, which was demonstrated at the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, January 5, 2010.
19. Ice sculpture of the Sphinx, which was demonstrated at the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, January 5, 2010.
20. Fireworks lit up the sky on the first day of the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, January 5, 2011.
21. Tourists visiting the ice sculptures while celebrating the new year in Harbin, 31 December 2007.
22. Buildings and sculptures made of ice blocks, showing tourists during the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2008.
23. Ice sculptures in Harbin, January 5, 2010.
24. The woman rolls down an icy hill for 180 meters at the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2010.
25. Amazing sculptures made of ice blocks, showing tourists during the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2010.
26. Tourists visiting the ice sculptures in Harbin in 2010.
27. A tourist climbs the stairs to the ice during the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2007, January 5.
28. Tourists climb the ice blocks made of stairs while celebrating the new year in Harbin, 31 December 2007.
29. Illuminated statue, made of blocks of ice, during the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, January 5, 2011.
30. Detail of the ice sculpture during the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, January 5, 2010.
31. Visitors to entertain during the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, December 25, 2010.
32. Visitors to the festival examines a giant Buddha statue during the annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2010.
33. Workers prepare for the opening ceremony of the International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2007.
34. Work stains ice sculpture on the eve of the opening ceremony of the International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2007.
35. Workers who produced the statue of a giant snowman, complete preparations for the opening ceremony of the International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in 2007.
