Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival (PHOTOS)
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival has been held since 1963 in Heilongjiang province in northeastern China. Colossal ice and snow sculptures wow visitors from all corners of the globe who flock to the often month-long annual festival.
[caption id="attachment_10379" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="An incredible snow palace"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10380" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City at the 2007 festival"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10381" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="'Crossing the Bering Strait,' at the time the largest snow sculpture ever created"][/caption]
Even watching the creation of the sculptures is incredible.
[caption id="attachment_10383" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Creating a Santa Claus sculpture"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10384" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Putting on the final touches at the 2013 festival (photo by Sheng-Li|Reuteurs)"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10386" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Greece inspired sculpture at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10387" align="aligncenter" width="594" caption="Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival"][/caption]
And the statues are so massive that you can actually climb on them!
[caption id="attachment_10388" align="aligncenter" width="1000" caption="Sliding down an ice sculpture at the 2013 festival (photo by Sheng-Li|Reuters)"][/caption]
Panda costumes are optional....
[caption id="attachment_10389" align="aligncenter" width="990" caption="Visitors attend a preview of the 2012 festival"][/caption]
...but you can still take cheesy photos.
[caption id="attachment_10390" align="aligncenter" width="594" caption="How many people does it take to span the length of this sculpture?"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10391" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="A visitor at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival's Sun Island Park"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10392" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="An entire city at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival"][/caption]
This event is a definite bucket list item!
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