HARBIN: A swimmer jumps into a pool carved from thick ice, cutting through the cold water. Some distance away, visitors loiter around giant sculptures made from ice and snow; others sleigh across the sharp white surface. Meanwhile, international ice sculptors add finishing touches to their creations: magnificent buildings carved from ice and bathed in ethereal lights.

This is the 32nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in in China's north-east province of Heilongjiang. The city of Harbin is bitingly cold during the day, with temperatures as low as minus 13 degrees Celsius. The theme for this year is 'Pearl on the Crown of Ice & Snow'.

The annual event in Harbin features multiple themed zones: a sculpture art expo, a lantern fair, and the Harbin Ice and Snow World.

Covering over 750,000 square metres, the Ice and Snow World is particular glorious at night, when the sculptures are lit up from inside.

Over one million visitors are expected to attend the spectacular festival. Weather pertaining, the festival will run up till late February.