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Photos: China kicks off month-long winter Harbin Ice and Snow festival

Temperatures around this time of the year can plunge as low as 35 degrees Celsius below zero in Harbin, in China's Heilongjiang province, making it the perfect time for the annual month-long Snow and Ice Festival that kicked off over the weekend with a large fireworks display over ornate ice sculptures. Highlights include sled rides on the Songhua river, mass weddings, and towering sculptures of ice and snow carved by thousands of artists and workers. The festival has drawn millions of visitors from around the world every year since its inception in the early 1980s.

Updated on: Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM IST

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Visitors look at ice sculptures during the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, China. Swimming enthusiast Yu Hongtao, 50, had trained for months in the freezing water of the Songhua river to compete in the winter ice swimming tournament held annually in Harbin, known for its bitterly cold weather. (Fred Dufour / AFP)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

Visitors look at ice sculptures during the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, China. Swimming enthusiast Yu Hongtao, 50, had trained for months in the freezing water of the Songhua river to compete in the winter ice swimming tournament held annually in Harbin, known for its bitterly cold weather. (Fred Dufour / AFP)

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“You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,” said Yu. “The feeling of diving into the water is very cool.” More than 300 men and women, wearing just ordinary trunks and swimsuits, on Saturday braved the bitter cold waters at Harbin’s annual winter festival, among the biggest in the northern hemisphere. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

“You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,” said Yu. “The feeling of diving into the water is very cool.” More than 300 men and women, wearing just ordinary trunks and swimsuits, on Saturday braved the bitter cold waters at Harbin’s annual winter festival, among the biggest in the northern hemisphere. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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An aerial view shows fireworks explode over ice sculptures during the opening of the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. Temperatures can plunge as low as 35 degrees Celsius below zero in the city. The festival, which began on Saturday, draws millions of visitors from around the world every year. It began in the early 1980s. (Olivia Zhang / AP)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

An aerial view shows fireworks explode over ice sculptures during the opening of the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. Temperatures can plunge as low as 35 degrees Celsius below zero in the city. The festival, which began on Saturday, draws millions of visitors from around the world every year. It began in the early 1980s. (Olivia Zhang / AP)

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People walk past a snow sculpture in Harbin. Highlights include sled rides on the Songhua river, mass weddings, and towering sculptures of ice and snow carved by thousands of artists and workers. (AFP)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

People walk past a snow sculpture in Harbin. Highlights include sled rides on the Songhua river, mass weddings, and towering sculptures of ice and snow carved by thousands of artists and workers. (AFP)

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A bridegroom covers his face before group wedding ceremony in frigid cold temperatures as a part of annual ice festival. Visitors marvel at the mini ice replicas of the Colosseum and of the Milan Cathedral, particularly in the long evenings when soft, coloured lights illuminate the sculptures. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

A bridegroom covers his face before group wedding ceremony in frigid cold temperatures as a part of annual ice festival. Visitors marvel at the mini ice replicas of the Colosseum and of the Milan Cathedral, particularly in the long evenings when soft, coloured lights illuminate the sculptures. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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A couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River that displays 2019 snowmen as a part of the annual ice festival. The festival also attracts hordes of domestic tourists. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

A couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River that displays 2019 snowmen as a part of the annual ice festival. The festival also attracts hordes of domestic tourists. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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A gentoo penguin is seen during a promotional event during the annual ice festival. “The ice castles and sculptures made by workers are very impressive,” said Lin Renlong, who was visiting with his girlfriend. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

A gentoo penguin is seen during a promotional event during the annual ice festival. “The ice castles and sculptures made by workers are very impressive,” said Lin Renlong, who was visiting with his girlfriend. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Visitors look at ice sculptures during the festival. “It’s like Disneyland, Disneyland in winter,” said the 22-year-old from the northern province of Hebei. (Fred dufor / AFP)

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 11:04 AM

Visitors look at ice sculptures during the festival. “It’s like Disneyland, Disneyland in winter,” said the 22-year-old from the northern province of Hebei. (Fred dufor / AFP)

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