Thousands attend opening of ice harvest festival in Heilongjiang

Over the next several weeks, workers will collect ice blocks to transport them to different ice and snow scenic spots in the city.

One such spot is the Harbin Ice and Snow World Park, one of the most important venues of the city's annual winter gala, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.

The artists will carve the blocks into fanciful sculptures and transform the city into a winter wonderland.

After the ceremony, residents and tourists joined in various games on the ice and snow and ate local specialties.