In the snowy regions of northeastern China lies Heilongjiang, a province with a wintry landscape that draws millions of tourists to visit each year.
Although the winter is as bitterly cold as always, the industrial city of Harbin in northeast China has sprung to life once again, with its three-month International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival kicking off this month.
It's been a few days since this year's Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival kicked off, and the fun has already spread to the whole city.
The 28th Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair holds a grand opening ceremony at the Harbin International Conference Exhibition and Sports Center on Jan 5, 2012.
Tourists have fun at Volga Manor, a tourist resort in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.
Photos show the progress Harbin Ice and Snow World has made in the past 10 years.
First set-up in 1999, Harbin Ice and Snow World is by far the largest ice and snow art exhibition in the world.
Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival provides visitors each year a whole new world of ice and snow.
The Sun Island Scenic Area lies on the north bank of the Songhua River, boasting crystal lakes, wooden rockeries, beautiful flowers and exotic buildings.