New Year's Eve: Welcoming 2019 with a winter wonderland in Harbin

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It's that time of the year again when Harbin's Ice and Snow World has opened to visitors from home and abroad. Despite the sub-zero temperatures, ice sculptures and other winter activities are keeping people's spirits warm. Xu Xinchen has more from northeast China.

It's day one in Harbin for Ryan and Kate Bour, an American couple working in China's warmer regions down south. Their decision to visit the northeastern city comes as the couple celebrates their second anniversary and they're doing it in style at the city's Ice and Snow World. They say they wanted to experience their celebration in a colder place of China.

RYAN BOUR "So we made sure to wear lots of clothes to keep warm, but we could use some more. But I think it is definitely worth it because I don't think there are many places in the world when you can see the things we can see here."

Many of the festival's ice sculptures come in different shapes and sizes. From miniature and cute creations to cathedrals and palaces towering more than 10 meters high. They're all built from the same ice blocks and are lit up with a colorful array of lights.

This year marks the 20th anniversary since this ice and snow extravaganza opened, and in the past, it's hosted over a million tourists from China and around the globe each year.

XU XINCHEN HARBIN "The 20 degrees below zero temperature isn't stopping people from coming to this ice and snow winter-wonderland here in northeastern China. And before the night lights hit this sparkling world, sculptors have spent hours chiseling and carving away at the blocks of ice."

Guan Hongliang has been sculpting ice for a decade.

GUAN HONGLIANG ICE SCULPTOR "This one is four and a half meters tall with two figures combined. A team of four people can finish it in about three days."

Guan and his fellow sculptors have to endure freezing cold temperatures to deliver these art pieces. But, as a Harbin local, he's pleased to see thousands of visitors adoring his work.

GUAN HONGLIANG ICE SCULPTOR "A lot of visitors will come to see these sculptors during the coldest two months. Photos of some may end up on the internet — trending and gaining popularity. I am thankful to see that my works are being appreciated."

And just as Guan has been hoping for, people like the Bours are opting to spend their special days with these snowy wonders. The Ice and Snow World will remain open until February when temperatures begin to warm up.

Xu Xinchen, CGTN, Harbin.