哈尔滨冰雪节开幕英文报道

HARBIN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- A winter festival featuring all things ice and snow related opened in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, on Tuesday.

HARBIN, Jan. 5, 2016 (Xinhua) -- People take photos at an ice and snow world during the 32nd Harbin international ice and snow festival in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 5, 2016. The ice and snow festival opened in Harbin on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Kai)

The three-month long festival boasts more than 100 ice and snow events, covering tourism, culture, trade, sports and fashion, according to the local government.

In addition to an ice-themed fun fair and ice sculptures, visitors can participate in a parade, enjoy winter fishing, get married, or take a dip in the hot springs.

The festival, spread out over 800,000 square meters and containing more than 330,000 cubic meters of snow and ice, is one of the largest in the world.

This year's festival will feature a 51-meter tall crown of ice and snow, the tallest and heaviest structure of its kind, the statement added.

LED lights line the streets, lakes and parks, creating a welcoming, festive atmosphere in Harbin.

More than 100 foreign artists will compete in the ice sculpture and LED lighting design competitions.