Ice and Snow Festival

Workers shape a snow sculpture at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province January 6, 2009.



Workers shape snow sculptures prior to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province December 18, 2009. The 26th Ice and Snow Festival will kick off on January 5, 2010, local media reported.



Workers shape a snow sculpture featuring the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest prior to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province December 18, 2009. The 26th Ice and Snow Festival will kick off on January 5, 2010, local media reported.



A worker shapes a snow sculpture prior to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province December 18, 2009. The 26th Ice and Snow Festival will kick off on January 5, 2010, local media reported.



A worker shapes a snow sculpture prior to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province December 18, 2009. The 26th Ice and Snow Festival will kick off on January 5, 2010, local media reported.



Workers shape snow sculptures prior to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province December 18, 2009. The 26th Ice and Snow Festival will kick off on January 5, 2010, local media reported.



HARBIN, CHINA - JANUARY 10: A tourist poses arms outstretched for pictures in front of an ice building at the Grand Ice and Snow World, part of the 22nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 10, 2006 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province in north China. Harbin is one of China's coldest cities and each winter hosts an ice festival, with famous buildings and landmarks from around the world recreated in ice



worker polishes an ice sculpture before the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, December 18, 2009. The 26th Ice and Snow Festival will kick off on January 5, 2010, local media reported. Picture taken December 18, 2009.



Visitors play on an ice sculpture before the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, December 18, 2009. The 26th Ice and Snow Festival will kick off on January 5, 2010, local media reported. Picture taken December 18, 2009.

photo: Reuters