Harbin's Ice and Snow World officially opened on Monday (January 5) night with a grand light show around dozens of ice sculptures.

Visitors also enjoyed fireworks above giant ice castles as temperatures dipped as low as -20C (-4F).

Sun Zeming, the head of Harbin Ice and Snow World, said they used a record 400,000 cubic meters of ice and snow to build the sculptures, more than ever before.

The Ice and Snow World has become a driver for domestic tourism. Last year, Harbin received a record 90.36 million visitors, generating 137.22 billion yuan (19.62 billion USD), state media reported.

The festivities, which include ice slides and a night-time light show, will continue until mid-February "weather permitting," according to the official website.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE SHOTS OF HARBIN ICE AND SNOW WORLD

2. VARIOUS OF TOURISTS WATCHING AND FILMING FIREWORKS AS PART OF OPENING CEREMONY FOR CHINA HARBIN INTERNATIONAL ICE AND SNOW FESTIVAL

3. FIREWORKS SHOW IN PROCESSION

4. TOURIST COUPLE TAKING PHOTO WITH FIREWORKS IN BACKGROUND

5. ASSEMBLY OF DRONES IN FLIGHT WITH LIGHTS ON DEPICTING HORSE TO SIGNAL YEAR OF THE HORSE IN CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR CALENDAR

6. ICE CASTLE INSTALLATION WITH VISITORS

7. VISITORS EXPERIENCING SNOWFALL INSTALLATION

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TOURISTS FROM HONG KONG, 26-YEAR-OLD OFFICE WORKER, SURNAMED FENG AND 25-YEAR-OLD OFFICE WORKER, SURNAMED GUO, (NO FIRST NAMES GIVEN) SAYING:

(FENG) “My surname is Feng. I’m from Hong Kong and this is my first time here. I think the ice sculptures here are incredibly beautiful. I find them amazing and beautifully crafted.

(GUO) “My surname is Bo as well. I’m from Hong Kong, and this is my first time coming here as well. I was immediately struck by the grandioseness (of the place). It looks truly magical because everything is made of ice. There’s also the slide and the Ferris wheel, they are fantastic!”

9. VARIOUS OF VISITORS EXPERIENCING ICE CASTLE INSTALLATION

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 29-YEAR-OLD TOURIST FROM SHENZHEN WORKING IN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS, SURNAMED CHANG, (NO FIRST NAME GIVEN) SAYING:

“We came from Shenzhen. We had never seen such heavy snowfall before, so we wanted to come here to the (Harbin) Ice and Snow World to have some fun. We had heard about it online and from friends who said it was quite enjoyable, so we decided to come and have some fun. Today was actually quite an enjoyable experience, but it’s really, really cold though!”

11. VARIOUS OF HORSE ICE SCULPTURE ON DISPLAY

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 20-YEAR-OLD TOURIST AND UNIVERSITY STUDENT, SURNAMED ZHANG, (NO FIRST NAME GIVEN) SAYING:

"This is my second time coming here, but the first time I visited was when I was around five or six years old. I mean, back then, the (Harbin Ice and Snow World) park wasn’t as large as it is now. What strikes me the most this time around is that its washing rooms are exceptionally warm. After you’ve had enough fun and feel cold, there’s even space inside for you to have a rest. Additionally, I think it’s worth noting that the volunteers, including the security personnel provide exceptional service. They will assist you in any difficulties you may encounter (during your time here). (And I said previously) the park is also several times bigger now than it used to be.”

13. VARIOUS OF FAMILY OF FOUR ENJOYING ICE INSTALLATION

14. VARIOUS OF ICE INSTALLATIONS