Snow and Ice Sculptures: Shenyang festival offers dazzling nighttime views
[]
Many parts of the world are seeing frigid temperatures. As China's northernmost province, Liaoning has some seriously low temperatures. But even when it drops to minus 25 degrees Celsius, the bubbling jubilation of the locals shows no sign freezing. We're gonna take you to my hometown Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, to check out the snow and ice-filled festivities.
In the heart of the city, the Shengjing Park has been transformed into a fairyland at night. Local residents again stayed true to the city's time-honored traditions by creating a dazzling landscape of ice sculptures. Lit from within, the colorful ice lanterns attract tonnes of spectators every night.
This year, the Shenyang International Snow and Ice Festival employed more than 400 ice sculptors. After 15 days of hard work in the freezing cold, their creations have filled a venue covering 30 thousand square meters, much to the delight of tourists and local spectators.
SPECTATOR "It's my first time here. I am just overwhelmed by it all. It's such a splendid view. The displays have added colors to our life. I'm so glad to see it."
SPECTATOR "This year's show is terrific. I've visited the festival for many years. It never ceases to amaze me. I can see how they've upscaled the whole affair this year. It's just impressive."
The festival presents a sprawling ice replica of the city's landmark monuments, including all its four gateways and eight towers.
This year's theme focuses on China's Belt and Road Initiative.
A gigantic ship made of ice re-creates the splendor of the oceanic expeditions undertaken by Admiral Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty 600 hundred years ago.