Harbin gears up for annual ice festival
Last updated on: 04 January,2020 05:57 pm
Harbin is one of the China’s coldest cities and is located on the edge of Siberia.
HARBIN CITY (Reuters) - It was minus 18 degrees Celsius in China’s Harbin but winter-swimming enthusiasts were eagerly jumping into the freezing Songhua river on Friday (January 3), enjoying what they say is one of their favourite seasonal pastimes.
Elsewhere in the frigid north-eastern city, preparations were underway for the 36th annual International Ice Festival.
Workers are putting the final touches on giant snow sculptures made out of blocks of ice collected in early December from the river.
Tourists from across the country are expected to flock to Harbin to experience a fairytale-like ice world. Events such as an ice sculpture contest, a winter swimming competition and also an ice wedding will also be held.
Harbin is one of the China’s coldest cities and is located on the edge of Siberia with winter temperatures that can drop to below minus 35 degrees Celsius.