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Harbin Began Ice and Snow Festival

2009-1-7 17:01:00

Port and capital of Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, on the Songhua River; Harbin is a major rail junction. Harbin is very cold in winter, but mild in summer, so produces two tourist seasons in the year. The principal one is in the winter when the Ice and Snow Festival is held. On that occasion, the parks are decorated with large ice sculptures that are illuminated at night. In 2009, the festival started on Jan 5^th. Some beautiful moments were just taken down by cameras to stimulate more tourists to attend the festival in the future.

People looked at giant ice sculptures which were very splendid at the Ice and Snow World Park. A great deal of money and ice were consumed to build these amazing ice sculptures. (Photo from Xinhua)

Fireworks were set off in the night sky, attracting people to remember this moment. (Photo from Xinhua)

Fireworks, together with these colorful ice sculptures that resemble palaces in the fairy story, even brightened Harbin's night. (Photo from Xinhua)

People were skating near the grand ice sculptures at the Ice and Snow World Park. (Photo from Xinhua)

The festival is mainly featured with ice and snow art. But it also covers other themes like tourism, trade and sports. As one of the coldest places in China, Harbin has witnessed 25 ice and snow festivals, bringing not only beauty, leisure and pleasure to people, but also local economic profits.