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Is this China's coolest town? Winter festival creates city made entirely from snow and ice

By Gareth Finighan

Last updated at 8:14 PM on 24th December 2011




If Santa fancies taking a breather after his gift-giving jaunt around the world tonight, there's one spot on the planet where he'll feel right at home.
For the town of Harbin in northeast China has created an entire city carved out of ice and snow.
The 28th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which opens on January 5, features work by some of the best ice sculptors and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

How did they do that? This impressive skyline was made from blocks of ice measuring up to three feet wide



Winter fun: As well as sculptures, the festival also features a range of ice-based rides



Slippery slope: Visitors are dwarfed by the giant ice architecture

Spread out across three zones, the theme park features a range of snow-based rides, ice mountains and reproductions of some of the most iconic buildings in the world - all carved from giant blocks of ice and snow.
The town, located near the border with Russia, experiences dry but freezing winters and has an abundance of ice on tap from the nearby Songhau River.

Winter activities at the festival include Yabuli Alpine Skiing, winter-swimming and the ice-lantern exhibition in Zhaolin Garden.

Taking the scenic route: Rows of ice pagodas line one of the park's central roads



Cool reception: Craftsmen have reproduced some of the world's most recognisable buildings



Grand entrance: This giant ice archway is an impressive entrance to the city



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