Harbin’s icy spectacle

The Chinese city’s annual Ice and Snow Festival dazzles visitors with illuminated ice castles and intricate snow sculptures across the city.

1. A visitor taking photos of a drone show during the opening ceremony of the 42nd Harbin China International Ice and Snow Festival in Heilongjiang province, northeastern China. — AFP

2. A person sliding down a giant ice slide at the annual Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin. — Reuters

3. Workers carving a large snow sculpture in a public square in Harbin as part of festival preparations. — AFP

4. People posing with ice sculptures for photos during the festival’s opening ceremony. — AFP

5. A visitor photographing the interior of an elaborate ice structure at the festival. — Reuters

6. A visitor enjoying the man-made snow installations at the festival. — AP

7. People in costumes posing for photographs outside Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin during the festival. — AFP

8. Festival-goers taking photos with artificial snow at the opening of the event. — AFP