HARBIN, CHINA
AFP /GETTY
A large snow sculpture stands sentinel over visitors at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in northeastern Heilongjiang province on January 4. First celebrated in 1985, the annual event is the world’s biggest snow and ice celebration, complete with enormous illuminated ice castles, a 3D light show and a snow Buddha. The festival was inspired by the region’s traditional lanterns, carved from ice and lit with candles.