Ice sculptors have been busy whittling intricate artworks from blocks of the cold stuff in the sixth Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition.

The annual event wraps up today after opening on New Year’s Eve, but the sculptors’ works will remain on display free of charge in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin.

They are gathered in Harbin Ice-Snow World, a winter-only tourist destination.

Temperatures in Harbin can be well below minus 20 degrees Celsius in winter, so the statues should remain intact for a while.

Fifteen teams from six countries took part in the competition. Seven of them are from China.

The Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition is one of the largest events of its kind. Other notable ice fests include those in Alaska, USA and Ontario, Canada.