China Ice City: Frozen Sculptures Light Up Sky

Tourists have gathered in China to see a colourful collection of illuminated ice sculptures at this year's Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.

Some 10,000 workers carved the ice and snow structures in just 15 days, using more than six million cubic feet of ice and five million cubic feet of snow.

The frozen structures have been constructed inside a huge park in Heilongjiang province.

Among the sculptures on display are ice replicas of Rome's Colosseum and temples from Asia.

Organisers say more than one million people visited the ice festival last year. They expect even more this year.

Lu Tong, a student from Harbin's Northeast Forestry University, said: "This place closely connects to the modern age, and many of the constructions here give people a sense of the times that we are living in.

"For everyone who comes here, couples or students alike, they're all surrounded by happiness and warmth."

The festival usually continues for more than a month, depending upon the weather and temperature.

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