World’s largest ice and snow festival kicks off in China

Lilit Marcus
By Lilit Marcus, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 11:17 AM EST, Fri January 4, 2019
<strong>World's biggest ice and snow festival: </strong>The 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival will officially kick off on January 5 and will last until February 5.
World's biggest ice and snow festival: The 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival will officially kick off on January 5 and will last until February 5.
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<strong>Harbin Ice and Snow World: </strong>Some attractions are already open to visitors, including the Harbin Ice and Snow World, which opened in December.
Harbin Ice and Snow World: Some attractions are already open to visitors, including the Harbin Ice and Snow World, which opened in December.
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<strong>Local ice blocks: </strong>One of the most remarkable features of the festival is the ice blocks, which are hauled up from the nearby Songhua River.
Local ice blocks: One of the most remarkable features of the festival is the ice blocks, which are hauled up from the nearby Songhua River.
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<strong>Preparations: </strong>Weeks before the festival, nearly 200,000 cubic meters of ice are collected from the river and transported to the site.
Preparations: Weeks before the festival, nearly 200,000 cubic meters of ice are collected from the river and transported to the site.
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<strong>Giant ice castles: </strong>The ice is carved into spectacular illuminated ice structures, many of which can be entered.
Giant ice castles: The ice is carved into spectacular illuminated ice structures, many of which can be entered.
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<strong>Other highlights: </strong>Other highlights include the exquisite snow Buddha statue, 340-meter-long Northern Lights-themed ice slides and a 24-meter-long life-sized ice train.
Other highlights: Other highlights include the exquisite snow Buddha statue, 340-meter-long Northern Lights-themed ice slides and a 24-meter-long life-sized ice train.
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<strong>A Heilongjiang tradition: </strong>First celebrated in 1985, the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival was inspired by a local ice lantern tradition. <br />
A Heilongjiang tradition: First celebrated in 1985, the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival was inspired by a local ice lantern tradition.
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<strong>35th anniversary: </strong>Celebrating its 35th year in 2019, the festival has grown to become one of the top snow festival events in the world, welcoming more than 18 million visitors in 2017.
35th anniversary: Celebrating its 35th year in 2019, the festival has grown to become one of the top snow festival events in the world, welcoming more than 18 million visitors in 2017.
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<strong>Free activities around town: </strong>The festival also offers free activities including an ice lantern exhibition at Zhaolin Park and ice sledding on the frozen Songhua River.
Free activities around town: The festival also offers free activities including an ice lantern exhibition at Zhaolin Park and ice sledding on the frozen Songhua River.
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Harbin hosts colorful ice and snow festival
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