With just three weeks to go before the 9th Asian Winter Games opens in northeast China's Harbin, the principles of green and eco-friendly have been emphasized by the organizers.

Before her trip to Harbin in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, 25-year-old Miriam Verzellino from Italy could hardly imagine just how cold it could be in the northernmost place she’d ever travelled to.

This year marks the 41st International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in Harbin. The official opening ceremony took place on January 5, and the festival runs through the end of February or early March (depending on when the ice starts melting).

People are making the best of the freezing weather in northeast China: Sculptors have finely chiseled ice into elaborate structures resembling landmark castles and temples, and visitors are appreciating the artwork.

Currently studying at the Communication University of China (CUC) in Beijing, Verzellino visited Harbin as part of the second Global Youth Bilingual Broadcast Announcing and Anchoring Contest, organized by CUC. From Jan 2 to 6, more than 20 young people from China, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, and Tanzania explored the city's winter wonderland.

A competitor works on an ice sculpture during the first edition of Heilongjiang Ice Carving Vocational Skills Competition at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 15, 2025. The competition kicked off on Wednesday, attracting more than 50 skilled professionals from 18 teams. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Harbin is currently in the midst of its peak ice and snow tourism season. Various high-level snow sculpture competitions are being held, and snow

On train K7041 from Harbin to Mohe five inheritors of intangible cultural heritages of the Oroqen ethnic group showcased various traditional crafts t

Decked in thick winter jackets, dozens of people stood in subzero temperature next to a pool at Harbin in China’s northernmost province of Heilongjiang on Sunday (January 5), waiting to watch members of a local swim team to take their plunge into the icy water.

Participants race in an ice dragon boat event on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on Tuesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]