Wonder of the Harbin Ice Sculptures

Wonder of the Harbin Ice Sculptures
Visitors are shown taking photos in front of a sculpture as the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival which opened January 5, 2005 along the Songhua River. (Cancan Chu/Getty Images)
2/3/2007
Updated:
2/3/2007

Snow and ice are making for a beautiful scene in northern China as winter temperatures continue to remain low. The 23rd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival began on January 5, 2007 in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. The ice sculptures are an incredible way for the residents of Harbin to celebrate another new year.

The sculptures shown at the festival serve to create a scene out of a fantasy novel, as they are the largest and highest ice sculptures in the world. It makes for a showcase of great beauty. The annual festival will be held over the course of nearly 100 days and will contain activities related to ice and snow, including sightseeing, trade, sports, culture shows and works of art.

Ice castles of different styles. (Cancan Chu/Getty Images)
Ice castles of different styles. (Cancan Chu/Getty Images)

Animal ice sculptures. (Cancan Chu/Getty Images)
Animal ice sculptures. (Cancan Chu/Getty Images)

Colorful ice sculptures at the 23rd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. (Chu/Getty Images)
Colorful ice sculptures at the 23rd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. (Chu/Getty Images)

Colorful ice sculptures at the 23rd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. (Chu/Getty Images)
Colorful ice sculptures at the 23rd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. (Chu/Getty Images)

Colorful ice sculptures at the 23rd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. (Chu/Getty Images)
Colorful ice sculptures at the 23rd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. (Chu/Getty Images)