NICKNAMED an “Ice City,” Harbin in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province celebrates this moniker every year during its Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition, which started a trial operation Sunday.

A must-see of the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, the expo features a great number of larger-than-life sculptures and is hailed the world’s largest ice and snow carnival.

The event, in its 33rd edition, is highlighted by a fantastical sculpture named “Huaxia Fairy Dragon,” 116 meters long and 33 meters high, using 35,000 cubic meters of snow, as well as diverse snow scenes under the theme of “music,” involving creative musical elements.

According to the organizers, workers used nearly 90,000 cubic meters of snow to revive the expo. It took more than 10 days for a carving team, made up of 10 to 20 artists, to turn huge cubes of snow into vivid and exquisite artworks.

In addition to diverse installations, visitors will also get to see new interactive sculptures such as “Icy Slides” and “Karts on Snowfield.” When New Year’s Day and Lantern Festival approaches, the scenic spot will host folk cultural activities and festival celebrations.

Ticket is 130 yuan (US$20) per person during the trial operation period until Dec. 31. After that, it costs 220 yuan per person to visit the expo.

Harbin is home to China’s ice and snow art.  (CGTN)