Despite the frigid temperatures, visitors brave the cold while locals offer warm clothing to combat the chill.
Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Photo: XinhuaEach winter, China’s industrial city, Harbin, turns into a magnet for those from warmer areas. Tourists want to experience the extreme cold and take in the sculptures built from ice blocks carved from the Songhua River.
Faced with temperatures dipping to -30 Celsius, visitors often make a beeline for stalls selling padded clothing to supplement their wardrobes.
Oddly perhaps for some, frozen ice cream bars are also considered a key part of the visit.
Jin Yanlong runs a stall selling winter hats, gloves and boots. He said most of his customers are tourists from southern China who underestimate the frigid weather
Despite the freezing weather, some curious tourists are brave enough to taste the cold itself. Meanwhile, those seeking a warmer alternative can find hot drinks and steaming hotpot.