15 Gorgeous Images From China's Ice and Snow Festival

Every year, China holds the world's largest ice festival in the city of Harbin. The spectacular event celebrates the cold weather with enormous ice sculptures, dog sledding, and winter swimming; this year's theme is "Pearl on the Crown of Ice & Snow." Starting today, people can enjoy the sights and events until February 25. There are plenty of different tours to take, but considering the freezing temperatures in Harbin, a virtual tour might be the warmer option. Check out these images taken on the first day of festivities. 

Heavily bundled children enjoying the ice slide.

Police officers have a quick chat in front of one of the many ice sculptures.

A family takes a ride in a light-up carriage around the festival.

A woman uses her selfie stick to get the ice castle into the shot.

Brave visitors make their way up a flight of ice stairs.

A woman examines the bricks of one of the ice sculptures.

A family poses with a selfie stick by the festivities.

Visitors carve doodles and messages into the illuminated blocks of ice.

The opening ceremony of the festival.

People walk through the large ice structures.

A wide shot of the ice sculpture city.

A man poses by one of the larger ice sculptures.

Dog sleds carrying tourists run past snow sculptures.

A couple laughs as they walk on the ice.

A visitor dressed like a cartoon character (Popeye?) poses with one of the snow sculptures.

All photos courtesy of Getty Images