During the coldest winter months, ice diggers get very busy, working on the frozen Xiuhu River in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province./Global Times Photo

They work more than 10 hours a day outdoors on the frozen river surface, in temperatures that can reach minus 20 degrees Celsius. /Global Times Photo

Thick blocks of ice are cut and used in the construction of the upcoming winter festival's ice sculptures. /Global Times Photo

There are only two weeks until the opening of the Harbin Ice and Snow World, which is a renowned winter festival that is held annually in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. /Global Times Photo