Carving Into Ice: A Winter Fantasy

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.

Russian swimmer Lyudmila Smolyakova strips down to a bathing suit and flip-flops and prances in front of Chinese tourists bundled up against below-freezing weather before diving into a pool cut into an iced-over river.

The tourists, who have paid 30 yuan ($3.87) for tickets to see Smolyakova's ice-swimming troupe perform, scatter as she emerges and threatens to splash them.

It may be cold in Harbin, which is nearer to Siberia than to Beijing, but warming ties between Russia and China mean the city is rediscovering its Russian roots.

The city's location in northeast China accounts for its arctic climate which provides abundant ice and snow. The 'Ice City' of Harbin is recognized as home to ice and snow art in China and is famous for its exquisite sculptures.

 

The fabulous Ice Lantern Festival was the forerunner of the current event and is still perhaps the best loved part of the festival in the opinion of those who come to Harbin annually.