In pictures: Magical land of ice and snow
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Plunging temperatures and blocks of ice mean only one thing in China's north-eastern city of Harbin - the annual ice and snow festival. -
The usual festivities have been dampened by the memory of last November's toxic spill into the Songhua River which poisoned the drinking water of some three million people. -
The Harbin festival has become a major tourist attraction and this year the organisers are trying to break a number of World Records, including the biggest ever ice sculpture. -
But the nation's hardiest swimmers remain undaunted and have taken the plunge into the waters of the Songhua despite the spill and temperatures of minus 20C. -
But the main focus is on fun - and when the cold gets a little bit too much, freezing customers can take refuge in an ice bar for a warming slug of vodka, red wine or just tea. -
This year's festival has Russia as its theme to kick off the "Russian Culture Year" in 2006 so onion-domed cathedrals and replicas of Red Square... -
...and the Winter Palace have replaced traditional Chinese designs. -
The sculptures use up 120,000 cubic metres of ice and 80,000 cubic metres of snow. -
Despite the woes of last year's toxic scare, Harbin is hoping that the magic of ice will help dispel the winter gloom.