Harbin festival: China's ice-and-snow city - in pictures

[JohnB]

The annual Harbin ice-and-snow festival opens to the
public, featuring huge ice palaces and sculptures.

The northern Chinese city of Harbin is hosting its annual ice-and-snow
festival - one of the largest of its type in the world.
The festival features enormous ice palaces, sculptures, and slides
illuminated in bright colours.
The blocks of ice are taken from the local river before being carved and
brushed on site.
About 180,000 cubic metres of ice and 150,000 cubic metres of snow
are used to create the 800,000 sq m (200 acre) site.
Last year the festival attracted more than a million visitors.
Eighteen couples braved the cold to get married at this year's festival,
before ice-skating together.
The opening of the 33rd edition of the festival featured a fireworks display.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-38542672

[Robertt S]

I am hoping to make a trip back to China this summer. I plan to spend about 2-3 weeks this trip, so I can mark some items off my bucket list. I plan to visit the Forbidden City, The Great Wall, and Three River Gorge. I also want to take a Bullet Train from Qingdao down to Guangzhou and visit a few friends along the way.

 I have made three trips so far, but I have always been pressed for time so didn't do much sightseeing! I also have the the Harbin Festival on my list too, hopefully that will be possible next winter. I am not a big fan of cold weather, but judging from the photos that Festival looks like it would be worth getting a bit chilled!

[Wilfred Motosue]

Wow, just beautiful!  Thanks.