The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China held its opening ceremony on Sunday 5 January, amid fireworks and celebrations.
Image copyright AFP The annual festival, in China’s north-east Heilongjiang province, is one of the biggest ice and snow festivals in the world.
Image copyright Getty Images 
Image copyright Reuters About 220,000 cubic metres of ice and snow were reportedly used to build the ice world.
Image copyright AFP 
Image copyright AFP Visitors were treated to a towering frozen ice palace.
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Image copyright AFP There was even an ice steam train.
Image copyright Reuters The 36th Harbin Ice Festival began in 1963 and was interrupted for a few years because of China’s Cultural Revolution, resuming again in 1985.
Image copyright Reuters As well as towering ice structures, the festival includes activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions.
Image copyright Getty Images There are also swimming competitions in frozen water. Participants seen below are competing in the Songhua River.
Image copyright EPA 
Image copyright EPA 
Image copyright Getty Images A highlight of the festival was a snow-themed group wedding ceremony. About 40 couples were reported to have got married this year.
Image copyright EPA 
Image copyright EPA Harbin Ice Festival runs until 25 February 2020.
Image copyright AFP 
Image copyright Shutterstock .
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