2015 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

Updated 12:49 AM ET, Wed January 7, 2015

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Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Harbin Ice Festival kicks off – Featuring amazing sculptures and replicas, the 16th Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival opened January 5.

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The annual event, which normally runs until March, depending on weather conditions, takes place in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. This year, a colorful ice maze offers visitors a chilly challenge.

Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Lost in colors – The annual event, which normally runs until March, depending on weather conditions, takes place in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. This year, a colorful ice maze offers visitors a chilly challenge.

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Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

On the rocks – Psychedelic ice castles and fortresses light up like a 1980s video game.

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The Ice and Snow World's sculptures are mostly inspired by Chinese fairy tales and landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Egyptian Pyramids and Iceland's Hallgrimskirkja church.

Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Forget 'Frozen' – The Ice and Snow World's sculptures are mostly inspired by Chinese fairy tales and landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Egyptian Pyramids and Iceland's Hallgrimskirkja church.

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Over the years the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival has grown to become one of the biggest snow festival destinations in the world.

Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

The big leagues – Over the years the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival has grown to become one of the biggest snow festival destinations in the world.

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Known as China's 'Ice City,' Harbin has biting winters -- perfect if you need to maintain a month-long ice festival. Average January daytime temperatures range from minus 13-23 Celsius.

Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Slip n' slide – Known as China's 'Ice City,' Harbin has biting winters -- perfect if you need to maintain a month-long ice festival. Average January daytime temperatures range from minus 13-23 Celsius.

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Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Building blocks – Visitors can walk through a castle of blocks made with ice taken from Harbin's frozen Songhua River.

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Harbin's cuisine and architecture are heavily influenced by its close proximity to Russia, which makes the festival a popular attraction for Russian tourists.

Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Gateway to a winter wonderland – Harbin's cuisine and architecture are heavily influenced by its close proximity to Russia, which makes the festival a popular attraction for Russian tourists.

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Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Closeups – Visitors can use telescopes to get a better look at the ice sculptures.

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For those who have always wanted to snap a selfie in a snow globe, the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival is full of photo ops.

Photos: 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Perhaps a selfie stick would help? – For those who have always wanted to snap a selfie in a snow globe, the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival is full of photo ops.

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