In pictures: Harbin ice sculpture festival

Thousands of tourists from all over the world have flocked to the northern Chinese city of Harbin, which each year hosts a series of ice sculpture festivals.

Harbin is famous for its winter-related activities, and the festival is a magnet for tourists.

Competitors braved severe cold (to -11C), eager to impress the crowd...

...some had to crawl through their giant masterpieces...

...while others stood almost motionlessly, meticulously working out details.

Tourists and locals alike also attended the famous Ice Lantern Festival to see fancy sculptures.

Fascinated visitors wandered in the ice town, and many enjoyed a ride on a giant slide.

This year alone about 30,000 cubic metres of ice were used for the festival.