In Pictures: Frozen towers and palaces stun visitors at Harbin ice festival

The frozen dreamscapes in China have drawn millions of visitors over the years

Published: January 06, 2021 14:14 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

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Giant snow mazes, illuminated frozen towers and crystal palaces etched from vast blocks of ice greeted visitors to China's annual ice festival in Harbin. Image Credit: AFP

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The frozen dreamscapes have drawn millions of visitors over the years to the wintery northeastern city, which opened the festival on Tuesday despite small Covid-19 outbreaks across China. Image Credit: AFP

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Preparations for the annual winter celebration begin weeks in advance, with workers mining millions of cubic feet of ice from the surface of the Songhua river over long, gruelling shifts. Image Credit: AFP

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The 2022 Beijing Winter Games have inspired a push across China to promote winter sports and tourism, with the number of Chinese snow resorts increasing nearly fourfold in the past decade. Image Credit: AFP

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China has largely brought coronavirus infections under control domestically, with entertainment and cultural venues reopening and life largely returning to normal in recent months. Image Credit: AFP

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But small outbreaks in multiple cities have prompted authorities to step up testing and travel restrictions. Image Credit: AFP

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People look at ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Image Credit: AFP

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Ice sculptures are seen at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province. Image Credit: AFP

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People looking at ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Image Credit: AFP

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People take photos in front of ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Image Credit: AFP

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People look at ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Image Credit: AFP

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