Tourists have a good time as lights for the 13th Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, are tested on Dec 26. The festival will officially open on Jan 5. Liu Yang / for China Daily

Winter has turned parts of the country into a wonderland of excitement, where a host of snow festivals are providing locals and tourists unforgettable moments of invigorating fun. Top among the many vibrant events is the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival that will be officially launched on Jan 5 in Heilongjiang province - when temperatures can plummet to -38C - with numerous heart-warming experiences available to visitors.

A swimmer jumps into the icy water of the Songhua River in Harbin on Dec 26. [Photo/Agencies]

Stunning ice sculptures light up Harbin Ice and Snow World, a highlight of the festival. Of the 45 works in ice and snow depicting iconic buildings, landscapes and figures along a 1,400-meter-long stretch, one recreates Marilyn Monroe's well-known pose in The Seven Year Itch: standing on a subway grate while her white dress is blown above her knees.