A face from the freeze.

Here at the entrance to Harbin's Sun Island Theme Park, sculptors are putting the finishing touches to these individual snow and ice creations.

Now in it's 50th year, Harbin - the capital and largest city in Heilongjiang Province - is now world-renowned for its jaw-dropping Ice and Snow Festival.

Sculptures here take numerous forms, including this horse-themed creation, based on a painting by Chinese artist Xu Beihong (1895-1953).

Beihong is well known for his vivid horse portraits and with the Chinese Year of the Horse fast approaching, this sculpture marks the theme park's entrance.

Inside the Ice and Snow World, preparations are continuing with tourists treated to a variety of ways to enjoy the sub-zero temperatures, such as this giant snow slide.

The festival hasn't even started but Wang Lidan, a tourist from Shenyang province, is having a great time:

"The trip is totally worth it. I'm from Shenyang province, and it's my first time being here. It's fantastic," she says.

Unlike other winter festivals, Harbin Ice and Snow Festival doesn't just provide skiing, ice skating and the odd chance of a snow ball fight.

By night these massive, hand-carved ice and snow sculptures truly come to life for excited onlookers.

Engineering Supervisor of this year's Ice and Snow World Theme Park, Sun Xifu, says this year's park took a little over two weeks to build, making great use of a nearby river where all the ice is sourced:

"From the planning, design to ice collecting, construction and finishing, we only spent 15 days. With the special advantage of our mother river Songhuajiang River which provides us the ice, the ice we use is crystal clear," he says.

Ahead of the festival's opening on Sunday, tourists from all round the world have flown in to experience the ice decorations and winter activities here at Zhaolin Park.

Korean tourists, Lee Minzhi and Zhu Minying are taking this multicoloured ice slide into their strides:

"Hi, I'm from Korea. This is exciting to me," says Lee.

"I'm also from Korea. The (sliding) speed is really fast, but is also interesting," says Zhu.

"(The speed) was okay while I'm in the middle of the slide, but it went faster afterwards," says Lee.

Students from China's Northwest Petroleum University, Zhao Jingjing and Hou Ling, are also braving the slide:

"I feel pretty excited," says Hou.

"At the beginning, it was ok. And when it comes to the end, the resistance force was less, but more exciting," says Zhao.

"I'm happy enough (with the ice slide) anyway," says Hou.

Apart from creating a winter wonderland in the city's parks and resorts, the Ice and Snow Festival also consumes Harbin's city centre with ice and snow sculptures lighting up the Central Street.

This main street boasts notable European architecture - having been built by Russian settlers around 110 years ago.

Original cobblestones and Russian buildings are still preserved, and winter visitors are even offered the chance to feast on traditional Russian cuisine.

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival officially opens 5 January 2014 and is expected to stay open till the beginning of March, depending on the weather.

During the festival, visitors will be treated to Winter Group Weddings, International Ice and Snow Sculpture Contests and an International Winter Swim Contest.

AP Television

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 2 January 2013

1. Wide of giant snow sculpture at the entrance of Sun Island Theme Park with people walking in foreground

2. Tilt up from tourist posing for photograph to snow sculpture

3. Wide of sculptors working on sculpture

4. Mid of sculptor carving on step ladder

5. Pan right of half completed snow sculpture

6. Close of sculptor carving snow

7. Wide of sculptors working on sculpture

8. Pan right of snow sculpture showing eight horses

9. Wide of Eight Horse snow sculpture with a mini bus passing in foreground

AP Television

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 3 January 2013

10. Wide pan left of Ice and Snow World

11. Mid of sunlight through the ice wall

12. Wide of workers carving ice bricks and cleaning

13. Various of man carving ice with tool

14. Wide of worker standing on crane

15. Wide of the crane and giant ice sculpture building

16. Wide of snow slide

17. Pull in of tourist sliding down snow slide

18. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Lidan, Tourist from Shenyang province:

"The trip is totally worth it. I'm from Shenyang province, and it's my first time being here. It's fantastic."

19. Mid of tourists taking photos on smart phones

20. Mid of tourists posing for photograph

21. Wide of tourists walking through ice constructions

22. Pan left of Sun Xitong, Ice and Snow World Engineering Manager, approaching ice sculptures in Ice and Snow World

23. Tracking shot of Xitong walking through sculpture

24. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Sun Xitong, Ice and Snow World Engineering Manager:

"From the planning, design to ice collecting, construction and finishing, we only spent 15 days. With the special advantage of our mother river Songhuajiang River which provides us the ice, the ice we use is crystal clear."

AP Television

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 2 January 2013

++ NIGHTS SHOTS++

25. Wide of ice castle in Zhaolin Park

26. Mid of tourist posing in front of ice sculpture

27. Wide tilt up of ice sculpture

28. Pull out from tourist posing for photo to person holding camera

29. Close of horse sculpture head

30. Wide of horse sculpture

31. Wide pan left of ice slide

32. Pull focus of ice slide with tourists at top

33. Wide tracking shot of tourists riding ice slide

34. SOUNDBITE(Mandarin) Lee Minzhi, Zhu Minying, Korean tourists:

Lee: "Hi, I'm from Korea. This is exciting to me."

Zhu: "I'm also from Korea. The (sliding) speed is really fast, but is also interesting."

Lee: "(The speed) was okay while I'm in the middle of the slide, but it went faster afterwards."

35. Long shot of Chinese tourist Hou Ling sliding down slide.

36. Tracking shot down ice slide.

37. Wide of Ling riding down slide.

38. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhao Jingjing, Hou Ling, Students from Northwest Petroleum University:

Hou: "I feel pretty excited."

Zhao: "At the beginning, it was ok. And when it comes to the end, the resistance force was less, but more exciting."

Hou:"I'm happy enough (with the ice slide) anyway."

39. Wide pan left of colourfully lit ice sculptures

40. Long shot of people walking past ice sculptures

41. Low mid shot of ice sculpture

42. Wide of tourists walking past ice sculpture

43. Pull focus of ice decoration on Harbin Central Street

44. Wide pan left from man to woman posing next to ice sculpture

45. Wide of ice sculpture with pedestrians walking in background

46. Mid of ice sculpture

47. Long shot of people walking down Harbin Central Street

48. Low shot of European-style building

49. Wide of Harbin Central Street

50. Tilt down from building to snow sculpture.

LEADIN:

China's biggest ice festival gets off to a sparkling start.

Tourists come from around the world to see the Harbin Ice Festival featuring giant ice and snow sculptures.

STORYLINE:

Thousands of tourists are braving freezing temperatures to slip and slide on the ice at the annual Harbin Ice Festival.

The northeastern city is transforming itself into a winter wonderland when temperatures plummet to -20 Celsius and the Songhua River freezes over.

Outside a nearby pedestrian mall, sculptors and carvers are working to transform a giant block of snow into something very loveable.

Using scrapers, rakes, and other hand tools, workers chip away at the snow while crowds of shoppers watch. Among them is sculptor Ji Huailong, a native of Harbin who's experienced in making art from winter's precipitation.

But that experience doesn't mean snow sculpting an easy process.

"The most difficult parts to sculpt are the face and the eyes. We are carving Cupid so he has to look like an angel coming from the sky, he represents love," Ji explains.

"His features need to be cute, soft and harmonious."

The method for carving, however, has an established process.

"First some workers dig the ice blocks. Then we sculptors start carving the outline then the design. Then we use some specific tools to get out the details," says Ji, who has taken part in carving competitions before.

In 24-hours, what was mostly a giant cube of snow becomes a nearly-completed sculpture of the famous cherub. Ji and others put the finishing touches on it as tourists capture the cupid for themselves on camera.

Nearby, workers use forklifts to ease giant blocks of ice into place. They'll eventually be carved with chainsaws into giant snowflakes.

The workers use machinery and a little muscle power to guide the huge ice cubes around. They're cut from the frozen Songhua River, just a few blocks away, and transported to this street corner.

Elsewhere in Harbin, visitors are already arriving to check out the snow sculptures at the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at the city's Sun Island Park.

The largest sculptures here are more than 10 metres tall, dwarfing Ji Huailong's cupid.

They attract visitors from far and wide, such as Tanvamon Pullapalin, a student from Thailand studying in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

"We don't have any winter in Thailand so I want to come here and enjoy the very freezing weather. Also they have the snow architectures, the ice palaces, so it is going to be very beautiful," says Pullapalin.

"Many Thai people would love to come here once in their lifetime to enjoy this moment."

But it is the Ice and Snow World that is the star of the show among Harbin's winter attractions.

The Ice and Snow World features sculptures, towers, and entire buildings made from blocks of ice. They're lit from the inside with coloured lights. The effect at night is a spectacle, and it's one that Zhang Xiongfei and his friend travelled from China's Hebei province to see:

"We are from Hebei province and we wanted to come and see what Harbin is like under the snow," explains Zhang.

"We heard that Harbin's Ice festival was really good, that it was beautiful, especially at night. We are university students and we just came to visit the Ice Festival."

It's an important part of northeastern Chinese culture, he added:

"The festival represents Harbin's own local customs and culture foundations," says Zhang. "It has its own ice sculptures and works of art. It highlights Harbin's local customs and the Chinese creativity."

Zhang and his friend were far from the only visitors getting an early glimpse of the Ice and Snow World. Braving temperatures as low as -20 Celsius, visitors wandered amid ice creations, slid down ice slides made of the slippery substance, and of course took plenty of photos.

The 16th Annual Harbin China Ice and Snow World officially opens on 5 January and runs through 28 February.

AP Television

Harbin, China - 3 January 2015

1. Wide of crowds skating on frozen Songhua river

2. Mid of couple walking and nearly slipping on frozen river

3. Tilt down of ice sculpture with girl posing for photo

4. Close of woman taking photo

5. Close of ice sculpture

6. Wide of workers carving cupid statue out of packed snow

7. Mid of sculptor Ji Huailong poking at snow with a rake

8. Pan left from crowds watching to sculptor Ji Huailong scraping snow

9. Close of sculptor Ji Huailong's hand scraping snow

10. Wide of sculptor Ji Huailong scraping snow with a small rake

11. Close of loose snow falling off sculpture

12. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Ji Huailong, ice and snow sculptor from Harbin:

"The most difficult parts to sculpt are the face and the eyes. We are carving Cupid and so he has to look like an angel coming from the sky, he represents love. His features need to be cute, soft and harmonious."

13. Close of sculptor Ji Huailong showing plans for the sculpture

14. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Ji Huailong, ice and snow sculptor from Harbin:

"First some workers dig the ice blocks. Then we sculptors start carving the outline then the design. Then we use some specific tools to get out the details."

AP Television

Harbin, China - 4 January 2015

15. Close of woman taking a photo

16. Tilt of up of workers on scaffold in front of snow sculpture

17. Mid of sculptor Ji Huailong working on the sculpture

18. Close of scraper moving along sculpture

AP Television

Harbin, China - 3 January 2015

19. Wide of workers moving blocks of ice into place with a forklift

20. Close of worker scraping the underside of a block of ice

21. Mid of forklift moving a block of ice

22. Close of worker pushing a block of ice

++ NIGHT SHOTS ++

23. Mid of shadows of pedestrians passing by a large snow sculpture

24. Tilt down of Tanvamon Pullapalin taking a photo amid large snow sculptures

25. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tanvamon Pullapalin, student from Thailand, vox pop

"We don't have any winter so I want to come here and enjoy the very freezing weather here. Also they say they have the snow architectures, the ice palaces, so it is going to be very beautiful. So many Thai people love to come here once in their lifetime to enjoy this moment."

AP Television

Harbin, China - 4 January 2015

26. Wide of large ice sculptures and buildings made of ice

27. Wide of a castle made of ice

28. Wide of large snow sculptures and towers made of ice

29. Mid of Zhang Xiongfei and friend walking past ice sculptures

30. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Zhang Xiongfei, student from China's Hebei province, vox pop

"We are from Hebei province and we wanted to come and see what Harbin is like with the snow. We heard that Harbin's Ice festival was really good, that it was beautiful, especially at night. We are university students and we just came to visit the Ice Festival."

31. Mid of child sliding down ice into camera

32. Wide of people sliding down ice slides

33. Pan right of girl sliding down ice slide

34. Wide of girl posing for a photo amid columns of ice

35. Wide of castle made of ice

36. Close of air bubbles in a block of ice, pull focus to spectators walking past ice sculptures

37. Mid of man looking through a telescope

38. Close of multicoloured lights illuminating an ice castle

39. Wide of spectator with towers made of ice

SHOTLIST(including transcript):-

AP Entertainment

Harbin, China, 5 Jan. 2016

1. Various of fireworks exploding above illuminated ice castles

2. Wide of Harbin Ice and Snow World

3. Tilt of ice castle

4. Various of ice castles

5 . Various of tourists walking around

6. VOX POP (Mandarin) Wang Chen, Tourist from Hubei Province:

"I am a southerner and this is the first time I've been here and I want to come back in the future. It's beautiful and there is a lot of fun to be had here. I am particularly excited about the fireworks tonight."

7. Various of ice pagoda and buddha

8. Various of tourists sliding down a slide made of ice

9 . VOX POP (Mandarin) Wan Meihong, Tourist from Fujian Province:

"This is so beautiful. Harbin is known for ice sculptures. I always want to come here and I traveled a long way to come here to see these ice castles."

10. Various of children and tourists

11. Various of ice buildings

HARBIN ICE FESTIVAL WOWS CROWDS

Tourists from all over China braved the freezing cold to visit a winter wonderland on Tuesday (5 JAN. 2016), as the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival kicked off.

The attraction features castles, towers and buildings created out of thick blocks of ice, which are illuminated after nightfall.

180-thousand metric tons of ice were used to create this year's Ice and Snow World - the focal point of the festival.

The north-eastern city of Harbin creates the attraction annually when temperatures plummet to minus 20 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) and the Songhua River freezes over.

Organizers estimate that over 1.5 (m) million foreign and domestic tourists will visit the Ice and Snow World this year.

The festival runs until 25 February.

ICE SCULPTURES ENCHANT VISITORS AT OPENING OF ANNUAL FESTIVAL IN HARBIN

The 31st International Ice and Snow Festival officially kicked off in the Chinese city of Harbin on Monday (5 JAN. 2015), with visitors arriving in droves to marvel at giant sculptures carved from ice and snow.

The main venue, Ice and Snow World, featured castles and famous buildings recreated out of thick blocks of ice that lit up after nightfall.

This year the festival's opening ceremony was cancelled without an official reason.

This did not deter thousands of tourists from all over China and overseas from braving the north-eastern city's freezing temperatures to climb up castles made of ice, slide down an ice toboggan and lounge on ice sofas.

Harbin's trademark annual event - the world's largest ice and snow festival - lasts until February 25th.

AP Entertainment

Harbin, China, 5 January 2015

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Wide of ice castle marking the entrance of Harbin's International Ice and Snow Festival

2. Close of ice sculpture and ice castle in background

3. Tilt down of ice sculpture

4. Pan of different ice sculptures and buildings

5. Ice sculptures and ice toboggan

6. Xue Meng sliding down ice toboggan

7. Cutaway of belt

8. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Xue Meng/Student from Harbin:

"People from all over come here, we can also see ice lanterns of all kinds, this place is very unusual."

9. Various of visitors sliding down ice toboggan

10. Close of visitor sliding down

11. Pan from ice castle to telescopes

12. Child looking through the telescope

13. Peter Rudolfsson taking a picture

14. Close of camera with picture of Zhang He, Peter's wife, on the screen

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Peter Rudolfsson/From Sweden:

"Beaches you can find everywhere. Sunny beaches? You can find everywhere. Where can you find this everywhere? Not so many places."

16. Visitor on ice sofa, UPSOUND (in Mandarin) "Hurry up!"

17. Zhou Zhaojun, student, taking pictures

18. Wide of Zhou's girlfriend on ice sofa

19. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhou Zhaojun/Student from Dalian

"We have never been to such a northern and cold place, it is our first time in Harbin and we wanted to come see this beautiful and fantastic Ice Festival."

20. Wide of ice castle

21. Visitors walking down ice stairs

22. Visitors walking on ramparts of ice castle

23. Visitors with ice castles in background

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Harbin, China - 3 January, 2013

1.Wide pan of snow sculpture competition site

2. Mid of artists working on their pieces

3. Close of a metal brush brushing on sculpture

4. Close of man brushing surface of sculpture

5. Mid of man on top of sculpture

6. Wide of men working on sculpture

7. Wide of men working on egg-shaped sculpture

8. Close of carving on snow

9. Wide of snow sculpture in shape of hands

10. Close of sculpture of hands

11. Close up of man's face

12. Close up of man's hand brushing on sculpture

13. Mid of man working on his piece

14. Wide of man and his team working on sculpture

15. Close pan on snow sculpture of masks

16. SOUNBITE (Mandarin) Lin Hai, Ice Sculptor

"The idea is a combination of the Chinese bronze and the mask of the western world. We want to show happiness, anger, grief and joy which are the four major states of feeling accompanying human kind, but our final purpose is to show our happiness."

17. Close of man working inside sculpture

18. Close of man's shovel shovelling snow

19. Wide shot of team and car-like sculpture

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Liman Metolli, student from Nottingham Trent University:

"Ah yes it's brilliant! You've got to love it out here! Yes it is cold but you know you keep warm and stay warm, we've got good clothes. If we get cold we go inside, there's a place we can get inside and have some hot drinks. It's good. You just gotta eat a lot, make sure everything is covered. Just don't get frostbite, that's the important thing."

21. Wide of ice sculptures on Harbin's street

22. Mid of people walking by ice sculptures

23. Wide of snow sculpture of Korean pop singer Park Jae-Sang

24. Close and tilt-down on sculpture of Park Jae-Sang

25. Mid of young couple making pose of Gangnam Style in front of sculpture

26. Mid low angle of girl posing in front of sculpture

27.SOUNBITE: (Mandarin) voxpop, He Peng:

"I think it looks very funny and vivid. It adds a happy atmosphere to this extreme cold weather. I like it."

28.SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) voxpop, Zhang Yuli:

"I come from another province and it's a strange experience for me with the cold and I'm very interested to have a look around and see as much as possible."

29. Wide pan of Ice and Snow World

30. Close of ice blocks being moved

31. Wide of ice blocks being loaded onto truck

32. Close of ice blocks being loaded onto truck

33. Wide of loading of ice blocks

34. Mid of ice palace

35. Close of ice palace

36.SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Zengyu, executive manager of Harbin Ice and Snow World:

"After 14 years of efforts, our ice and snow world has reached a world-class level as an amusement park with the theme of ice and snow entertainment. This year many internationally famous companies put their designed pieces into our park. This is a good evidence of what I just said."

37. Wide of sunset over snow land

38. Close shot of sunset

39. Various of lighted ice palaces and tourists in Ice and Snow World

40. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) voxpop, Yangxue:

"It's too beautiful here! I started to scream as soon as I got in and I could do nothing but scream! It's just too beautiful and hard to describe. I feel really excited in this innocent world of ice and snow."

41. Mid of tourists

42. Close of temperature meter

43. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) voxpop, Liu Xihe:

"You have to wear thick wind proof gloves and for the masks you should prepare several because after a while it gets wet and frozen on you face. One more suggestion, bring enough skin lotion with you."

44. Various of Ice and Snow World

LEAD IN

The Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin is by far the largest such exhibition in the world. It attracts tourists and professionals from all over the world to experience a blend of stunning nature and amazing handicraft.

STORYLINE

Harbin, located in the northeast China, is the capital city of Hei Longjiang province. With an average temperature of -25 centigrade (-13 Fahrenheit) in winter, has been known as the Ice City.

International Snow Sculpture Competition is one of the earliest and main events of the Ice and Snow Festival. More than 80 competitors from 11 countries are participating in this year's event.

Lin Hai, Ice Sculptor explains his creation.

"The idea is a combination of the Chinese bronze and the mask of the western world. We want to show happiness, anger, grief and joy which are the four major states of feeling accompanying human kind, but our final purpose is to show our happiness."

Instead of staying warm inside competitors chose to come out in the cold weather and create. This year's competitors have come from all walks of life - painters, decoration artists and even engineers.

Liman Metoll is a student from Nottingham Trent University in the UK.

"Ah yes it's brilliant! You've got to love it out here! Yes it is cold but you know you keep warm and stay warm, we've got good clothes. If we get cold we go inside, there's a place we can get inside and have some hot drinks. It's good. You just gotta eat a lot, make sure everything is covered. Just don't get frostbite, that's the important thing." he says .

Apart from the competition, the Ice and Snow World provides a place for tourists and competitors to relax and have fun.

The Central Avenue, built in 1898, is Harbin's most popular shopping and tourist area. Along the street, delicate ice and snow sculptures make a perfect finish to exotic buildings.

The most popular snow sculpture is a one of Korean pop singer Psy. He is seen recreating the gesture from his viral music video - Gangnam Style.

Tourists are competing to have a photo with snow Psy and do the Gangnam style dance in front of the sculpture.

Visitor He Pen says "I think it looks very funny and vivid. It adds a happy atmosphere to this extreme cold weather. I like it."

Zhang Yuli is also enjoying himself.

"I come from another province and it's a strange experience for me with the cold and I'm very interested to have a look around and see as much as possible."

The main exhibition is located at the Ice and Snow theme park by the Songhuajiang River and covers 75,000 square meters.

Wang Zengyu, executive manager of Ice and Snow World, says the amusement park has reached a world-class level and gained international recognition.

"This year many internationally famous companies put their designed pieces into our park."

The Snow and Ice World has cooperated with entertainment companies such as Walt Disney, 21st Century Fox and video game company the Angry Bird on an interaction system for visitors.

The park changes into a shining and dreamlike wonderland after sunset. Countless lights shine from inside the elaborate ice structures.

"I started to scream as soon as I got in and I could do nothing but scream! It's just too beautiful and hard to describe. I feel really excited in this innocent world of ice and snow," says Yangxue.

But visitor Liu Xihe has some good advice to those who intend to come and see the sculptures for themselves.

"You have to wear thick wind proof gloves and for the masks you should prepare several because after a while it gets wet and frozen on you face. One more suggestion, bring enough skin lotion with you."

A preview at the Ice and Snow World is open till January 5. Then Harbin's Ice Festival kicks off with an extravagant fireworks display and outdoor performance.

wacky

Breaking a sweat in arctic conditions.

Here at Harbin's Sun Island Park, the Snow Sculpting Competition is in full swing with 18 teams from 10 countries battling it out for the top prize.

Most of these contestants have previously worked as professional sculptors, but not all of them have experienced carving such a soft material as snow, let alone working in such sub-zero conditions.

With teams here from around the globe, designs take on many different forms, from this artistic Korean sculpture to this dragon-themed Chinese entry.

Lisa Welsh, a sculptor from New Zealand, has worked as a professional sculptor in film production for many years, but this is her first time working with snow.

Welsh says it's interesting to see the differences between all the entries:

"One thing we've noticed here is there's a lot of Asian influence snow sculpture. And we feel like we're really very, very different. And I think that's because Pacific culture's not represented much in Asia."

Elsewhere, the Russian team is working on their Olympic-themed entry, taking inspiration from the Olympic flame.

"Our sculpture is called the Fire of Friendship, which is designed for the Sochi Winter Olympics in February 2014. This Olympic torch has been to outer space and under the Baikal river. Now we brought it to Harbin, as part of the touch relay. The symbol of our sculpture is a bird of fire. It brings the Olympic torch to Harbin to show the Olympic spirit to Chinese people," says Russian sculptor, Evgeniy Petesher.

After 4 days of red hot competition, the grand prize was eventually awarded to the Russian team for their Olympic-themed sculpture, named "The Fire of Friendship".

They take home a prize of 10,000 RMB ($1,650 USD).

All entries made during the competition will be exhibited at Sun Island Park during the course of Harbin's Ice and Snow Festival.

Elsewhere in Harbin's Zhaolin Park, the festival's ice carving competition is hotting up.

This year's competition features 22 teams from 11 countries, with more than 50 sculptors taking part.

Each team begins with a simple ice brick, 2 metres tall, 2 meters wide and 50-70 centimeters thick which has been taken from the nearby Song Huajiang River.

After three days of intense work, their final piece will be scored based on technique and creativity.

Ice carving artist and member of the judging panel, Zhu Xiaodong, says standards have certainly improved over time:

"Throughout the 28 years of Ice Carving competition, in the old days, the tools and the quality of the teams are not as good as today, there's a huge gap compared to today," he says.

Sculpting artist from Malaysia, Vasan Angalan, is here working on his unique animal-themed piece named "The Combined Image".

Angalan says he's enjoying working in Harbin's arctic conditions:

"Cold weather, big ice, the ice won't melt, so we can carve, later and later. In Malaysia, it's hot sun. You want to carve the ice, you must carve within half an hour," he says.

On home turf, this Chinese team are working on their icy entry.

Sculptor Zheng Jinnan, a High School Art Teacher, says often the mindset differs depending on where the sculptor is from:

"The mindset of creativity between Chinese and foreigners is different. Their style is mostly modern and stream like. We Chinese combine the tradition with the modern style. To win ice carving, criteria are stream-like layout and techniques, so that you can create a good ice carving work."

Further afield, this Canadian team is here working on their own ice sculpture.

Canadian sculptor, Patricia Leguen, says that while the finished article is important, for them it's about how they get to that point:

"It's mostly the process of carving that is important, the finish result of course, but mostly how you create a very large piece, a monumental piece, in a very short amount of time," she says.

Once all the hard work is complete, it's time to enjoy the fruits of 10-thousand workers careful sculpting.

Tourists from all over the world are here to marvel at the sheer beauty of Harbin's Ice and Snow World.

According to the organisers, more than one million people visited the park last year. And this year it's hoped that figure will go up with several new high-speed train lines ferrying visitors to the city.

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is expected to stay open until the beginning of March, depending on the weather.

AP Television

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 2 January 2014

1. Wide of snow sculpting competitors carving snow.

2. Mid of New Zealand team member sculpting snow.

3. Wide of sculpting teams working.

4. Mid of Japanese team member sculpting snow.

5. Wide of Korean team's snow sculpture.

6. Wide of Chinese team's snow sculpture with Korean team in background.

7. Mid of Chinese team member working on dragon-themed sculpture.

8. Wide of New Zealand team members working on sculpture.

9. Close of New Zealand team members working.

10. Close of Lisa Welsh, New Zealand sculptor, speaking with team member,

11. Close of New Zealand team member measuring sculpture.

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Welsh, New Zealand sculptor:

"One thing we've noticed here is there's a lot of Asian influence snow sculpture. And we feel like we're really very, very different. And I think that's because Pacific culture's not represented much in Asia."

13. Tilt from shell to Japanese team's snow sculpture.

14. Wide of Russian team working on Olympic Torch-themed sculpture.

15. Close pan right of Russian team member carving snow.

16. Wide of Russian team working in snow sculpture.

17. Tilt up from Evgeniy Petesher, Russian sculptor, to top of snow sculpture.

18. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Evgeniy Petesher, Russian sculptor:

"Our sculpture is called the Fire of Friendship, which is designed for the Sochi Winter Olympics in February 2014. This Olympic torch has been to outer space and under the Baikal river. Now we brought it to Harbin, as part of the touch relay. The symbol of our sculpture is a bird of fire. It brings the Olympic torch to Harbin to show the Olympic spirit to Chinese people."

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 3 January 2014

19. Pull out of Russian team shaking hands and receiving first prize.

20. Wide of Russian team members posing for photographs.

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 6 January 2014

21. Mid pan right of international flags.

22. Mid of Zhu Xiaodong, Chinese ice carving artist and member of judging panel, talking to contestants.

23. Close pan right from Xiaodong to contestants.

24. SOUNDBITE ( Mandarin) Zhu Xiaodong, Chinese ice carving artist and member of judging panel:

"Throughout the 28 years of Ice Carving competition, in the old days, the tools and the quality of the teams are not as good as today, there's a huge gap compared to today."

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 7 January 2014

25. Mid of Russia team member polishing ice sculpture.

26. Close of Russian team member working on sculpture.

27. Wide pan right of competition area.

28. Mid of Vasan Angalan, Malaysian sculptor, carving ice sculpture.

29. Close of Angalan.

30. Close of Angalan carving sculpture.

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Vasan Angalan, Malaysian sculptor:

"Cold weather, big ice, the ice won't melt, so we can carve, later and later. In Malaysia, it's hot sun. You want to carve the ice, you must carve within half an hour."

32. Wide of Chinese team's ice sculpture.

33. Close of Zheng Jinnan, Chinese High School Art Teacher, carving small piece of ice.

34. Tilt up of Jinnan climbing to top of sculpture to fix sculpture piece.

35. Close of Jinnan holding piece at top of sculpture.

36. Close of top of Chinese sculpture.

37. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zheng Jinnan, Chinese High School Art Teacher:

"The mindset of creativity between Chinese and foreigners is different. Their style is mostly modern and stream like. We Chinese combine the tradition with the modern style. To win ice carving, criteria are stream-like layout and techniques, so that you can create a good ice carving work."

38. Wide of Canadian team working on ice sculpture.

39. Tilt up of Patricia Leguen, Canadian sculptor, preparing ice.

40. Close of Leguen placing ice piece onto sculpture.

41. SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Leguen, Canadian sculptor:

"It's mostly the process of carving that is important, the finish result of course, but mostly how you create a very large piece, a monumental piece, in a very short amount of time."

42. Wide of teams working on sculptures.

43. Close of the Malaysia team's elephant-themed sculpture.

44. Wide of teams working on ice sculptures.

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China - 5 January 2014

45. Pull in of giant ice structure.

46. Wide pan right across Harbin's Ice and Snow World.

47. Various wide shots of illuminated ice structures.

48. Tracking shot of people riding down ice slide.

49. Pan left of people arriving at bottom of ice slide.

50. Wide of horses and carts.

51. Mid of tourists travelling by horse and cart in front of ice structure.

52. Mid of top of an ice church.

++RESENDING WITH CORRECTED DATELINE TO 2020++

CHINA HARBIN ICE AND SNOW FESTIVAL

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTIONS: AP Clients Only

LENGTH: 7:40

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Clients Only

Harbin, China – 5 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Wide aerial of fireworks at Harbin Ice and Snow Park ++MUTE++

2. Tilt down from fireworks to ice sculptures

3. Wide of fireworks in sky above crowds and ice sculptures

4. Aerial tilt from ice sculptures to fireworks ++MUTE++

5. Fireworks erupting in night sky

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Clients Only

Harbin, China – 4 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

6. Pan of tour bus to ice sculptures

7. Wide of ice sculpture of train

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Clients Only

Harbin, China – 5 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

8. Mid of crowds milling around train-like transport vehicle

9. Wide of crowds and ice sculpture

10. Mid of people walking up ice stairs onto sculpture

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Clients Only

Harbin, China – 4 January 2020

++DAY SHOTS++

11. Wide of tourists taking photos in front of snow sculpture of Year of Rats,"2020 Spring"

12. Mid of snow sculptures of rats

13. Mid of snow sculpture of rat giving thumbs up

14. Wide of snow sculpture of thermometer

15. Close of thermometer showing temperature as -15 degrees Celsius (5 Fahrenheit)

16. Various of workers sculpting and carving snow

17. Pull focus from snow sculpture of woman's face to red lanterns and snow sculpture of phoenix

18. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Chen Chen, Tourist from Shanghai:

"(At first) I thought it was boring to see the sculptures. (But) once I am here and become part of the environment, I feel different. The frigid weather and the snow only enhance the beauty of each one at this moment."

19. Various of couple taking selfies with snowman

20. Various of snowman and snow sculpture of phoenix

21. Various of tourists taking photos in front of snow sculptures along Harbin Central Avenue

22. Close of snow sculpture

23. Wide of tourists walking past ice sculpture on street

24. Various of ice sculpture of swan

25. Various of ice sculpture of train

26. Wide of main ice sculpture in Harbin Ice and Snow Park

27. Mid of main ice sculpture with snow sculpture of bodhisattva in background

28. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Xiaoyu, Harbin Ice and Snow Park Designer:

"One of our design ideas this year is "traditional inheritance". You can see the elements of Western classical architectures were blended into our design. In the meantime, we have ice and snow entertainment facilities in the ice castles like slides, mazes (and) bikes."

29. Wide of slides behind ice wall, sign and flags

30. Tracking shot of man sliding

31. Wide of slides

32. Mid of tourists passing through ice archway

33. Mid of woman posing for photo in ice sculpture

34. Wide of tourists ringing giant bell on ice platform

35. Wide of ice castle against backdrop of sunset

36. Various of tourists riding bikes on ice and snow track

++NIGHT SHOTS++

37. Wide of illuminated ice sculptures and moon

38. Wide of tour bus and tourists on foot passing ice blocks and ice sculptures

39. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Xiaoyu, Harbin Ice and Snow Park Designer:

"Since 2015, we have started using LED strip lights. The advantage of strip lights is the light is softer and not very dazzling. And it makes the whole piece of ice block bloom. This is an effect that traditional light bulbs cannot make."

40. Wide of ice palace

41. Wide of people milling around in front of ice castle lit in yellow and blue

42. Wide of tourists riding bikes on ice and passing ice castle

43. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Xiaoyu, Harbin Ice and Snow Park Designer: ++DAY SHOT++

"The lights in each ice sculpture change together with tourists' interactions. For example, it changes with the rhythm of a bell ringing, and with music. Also, the ice sculptures in one area echo with each other to create a general effect."

++NIGHT SHOTS++

44. Various of changing lights inside ice blocks

45. Tracking shot of tourist walking through ice sculpture

46. Wide of ice park

47. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Chen Bailing, Tourist from Hebei Province:

"Here is a very famous tourist site in winter. I came with my parents. My father has never seen the ice lights, but he knows the ice lights are magnificent, so I want to show my parents what it looks like. After I came, I realized the lights are very beautiful indeed. We don't even want to leave. Although it is cold, we enjoy ourselves so much."

48. Pan left from tour bus to ice sculpture of train

49. Various of ice sculpture of train

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Clients Only

Harbin, China – 5 January 2020

50. Various aerials of Harbin Ice and Snow sculptures ++MUTE++

LEADIN:

In China's northernmost province, a glittering winter wonderland built of ice and snow and sprawling across four enormous sites has been unveiled to thousands of delighted visitors and locals.

Each year, millions flock to Harbin to take in the annual spectacle, and the city's Ice and Snow Festival is now in its 36th year.

STORYLINE:

In the dark depths of winter in the northernmost province of China, a riot of fireworks and twinkling lights sparkle in the night sky.

Here, thousands are braving some of the coldest temperatures in China to experience an annual display that glitters and shimmers.

And it's all the more awesome when you learn how it's made: this extraordinary spectacle is built entirely of snow and ice.

The 2020 Harbin Snow and Ice Festival officially opened this weekend.

The event - in its 36th year - attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

The festival sprawls across four sites, with the largest two the Sun Island Snow Park, and the Harbin Ice and Snow Park, both near the banks of north-eastern China's mighty Songhua River.

This year, the Sun Island Snow Park covers an area of 600,000 square metres.

110,000 cubic meters of snow has been used to build and hand-carve these structures.

In the main, the artists work outside, in temperatures that rarely rise above -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Here in the Snow Park, the sculptures - made from packed snow - tell a uniquely Chinese story.

There are rats - some giving the thumbs up sign - to mark the start of the Year of the Rat on the Chinese Zodiac calendar.

There's also a phoenix, carved from the snow: in Chinese culture, the phoenix symbolises femininity and grace.

It's displays like these that are winning over even the most cynical of visitors, like Chen Chen, who has travelled here from the much milder climes of Shanghai.

"(At first) I thought it was boring to see the sculptures. (But) once I am here and become part of the environment, I feel different. The frigid weather and the snow only enhances the beauty of each one at this moment," he says.

With its famously long, cold winters and its short cool summers, Harbin is known throughout China for its ice and snow.

Here on the city's Central Avenue, a shopping area famous for its Russian-style architecture, locals and tourists can admire ice and snow sculptures every few metres.

And it doesn't all come together overnight.

At the beginning of every December, local workers start the painstaking work of preparing the Harbin Ice and Snow Park.

They cut into the frozen Songhua River, and drag and haul large chunks of ice which are then shaped into all manner of structures, from castles to slides.

Wang Xiaoyu has worked for five years as a landscape designer at the Park.

This year, executing her vision took 360 hours, with 10,000 workers required for the job.

"One of our design ideas this year is "traditional inheritance"," she explains.

"You can see the elements of Western classical architectures were blended into our design. In the meantime, we have ice and snow entertainment facilities in the ice castles like slides, mazes (and) bikes."

Many of the attractions this year provide fun for visitors of all ages and interests.

Across the festival's locations, there are more than 20 games and activities on offer.

Adults and children are loving the ice slides.

There are also bikes of different sizes, that can be safely ridden on the packed snow and ice.

A key part of the spectacle as the daylight dims is the light display: for the past five years, Wang and her team have been using LED strip lights, which Wang says makes things softer.

"It makes the whole piece of ice block bloom. This is an effect that traditional light bulbs cannot make," she says.

And as the tourists cycle and walk their way around the park, their interactions with the displays have an effect too, Wang explains.

"The lights in each ice sculpture change together with tourists' interactions. For example, it changes with the rhythm of a bell ringing, and with music. Also, the ice sculptures in one area echo with each other to create a general effect," she says.

The glittering, icy spectacle is known throughout China, with families, couples, groups of friends and singles travelling here from far and wide.

Chen Bailing is here with her parents from Hebei province, in central China.

"My father has never seen the ice lights, but he knows the ice lights are magnificent, so I want to show my parents how it looks like. After I came, I realized the lights are very beautiful indeed. We don't even want to leave. Although it is cold, we enjoy ourselves so much," she says.

The ice festival was first held here in 1985.

This year, the event also includes competitions like ice swimming, skiing, and even a triathlon.

But for most visitors, it's vistas like this one that keep them returning.

====

Clients are reminded:

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LEAD IN:

The Harbin Snow and Ice Festival draws millions to China's icy north from all over the world to marvel at glittering towers and sculptures built entirely of ice and snow.

Now in its 36th year, the annual event includes ice sculpting, a swimming race across frozen water, and even a mass wedding - and it's proving more popular than ever.

STORY-LINE:

In the dark depths of winter in the northernmost province of China, a riot of fireworks and twinkling lights sparkle in the night sky.

Here, thousands brave temperatures that hover around -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) to experience an annual display that glitters and shimmers.

And it's all the more awesome when you learn how these structures are made: this extraordinary spectacle is built entirely of snow and ice.

The 2020 Harbin Snow and Ice Festival runs through until February.

The event - in its 36th year - attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

The festival sprawls across four sites, with the largest two the Sun Island Snow Park, and the Harbin Ice and Snow Park, both near the banks of the mighty Songhua River.

This year, the Sun Island Snow Park covers an area of 600,000 square metres.

One of the key drawcards of the festival is the annual ice sculpting event, which this year attracted 60 sculptors from all over the world.

In the days leading up to the judging, the frosty northern air is full of the hum of chainsaws, drills and grinders.

Carving began at the start of the week (Monday 6 January 2020), and the sculptors had to be done by Wednesday (8 January 2020).

This event requires that entrants carve their designs from ice blocks taken from Songhua River.

Roger Wing is an ice and wood sculptor and competitor here, hailing from the US.

With his sculpture - a collaboration with Finnish artist Anssi Kuosa - he is exploring ideas of beauty and age: a witch looking into a magical mirror, seeing a beautiful face.  

He flattens the ice block with a nail plate before ironing it to create a transparent effect.

With 20 years of experience sculpting, Wing has first-hand experience of how carving tools and techniques have improved.

"Twenty years ago, there was only one or two carvers who are making figures, because it's very difficult to create human anatomy, human faces, human hands," he says.

"Only one or two artists were very good at it 20 years ago. But now we have all learned the techniques to get stronger and now many carvers can do beautiful figures."

Chinese sculptor, Zhu Rui, and his partner initially began ice carving as a hobby but went professional five years ago.

Here at Harbin they are creating an apsaras flying around the moon - influenced by Chinese dance and culture.

Chinese sculptor Wang Songyin is working with a variety of implements to create his vision.

Getting the angle right for this pointed detail is a painstaking process.

Here, Russian couple Vadim Polin and Luibov Polina are carving a Russian girl being lifted up by a Chinese dragon.

For them, the work is a tribute to the long history of relations between Russia and China.

"Our work is a Chinese dragon and a Russian girl. It represents the friendship between the two countries. It's a new world by combining them together," says Vadim Polin.

Across the sculpting area here, extreme care is being taken to add minute details to each work, which can involve hundreds of pieces of ice.

With the judging over, the works will stay on display here for two months.

Beside the Songhua River, competitors here are taking a plunge of a different sort at the annual ice swimming event.

Believe it or not, it's warmer in this ice-cold swimming pool than in the frigid air outside.

Crowds have gathered to provide support, as timekeepers carefully record the swimmers' performances.

The pool here is carved from the ice of the Songhua River.

All told about 200 swimmers from 42 teams are competing.

They hail from all over China, as well as some from Russia and the United States.

The swimmers are divided into groups, by sex and age.

There are events for the young, the middle-aged, and the old.

"It is really exciting! I hope more people can join us for ice swimming," says local swimmer Bai Ling.

"Ice swimming is cool! The more we swim the younger we become!" says her fellow competitor, local Zhang Xiaofeng.

As the swimmers make their hurried way to the finish line, the air temperature outside is a body-numbingly cold -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit).

That can make getting out of the pool a struggle, but thankfully friends or family are usually on hand to give the competitors some warmth once out of the water.

There's warmth aplenty further down the riverbank at the annual Harbin mass wedding.

This year, 43 couples are declaring their love and commitment to each other, parading along the riverfront promenade to the main stage.

Today it's -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit), so bridal gowns and suits are covered in warm winter jackets.

The couples have come from around China to share their special day, but not all are getting married for the first time.

Wang Shurong and her groom Wei Shuqi have come from a remote village in Heilongjiang province, and were invited here to celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary.

"The old days was difficult. It was not easy for most to wear a wedding dress. Life was hard. No one could get married in such a big occasion. We are very grateful and honoured," says Wang Shurong.

In unison, the couples recite their wedding vows, and exchange rings.

They promise to love their country, care for their parents and love each other for the rest of their lives.

In the Sun Island Snow Park this year, 110,000 cubic meters of snow has been used to build and hand-carve the structures that loom here in the icy cold sky.

At the beginning of every December, local workers start the painstaking work of preparing the site.

This year, executing the vision took 360 hours, with 10,000 workers required for the job.

Many of the attractions this year provide fun for visitors of all ages and interests, and across the festival's locations, there are more than 20 games and activities on offer.

The glittering, icy spectacle is known throughout China, with families, couples, groups of friends and singles travelling here from far and wide.

Chen Bailing is here with her parents from Hebei province, in central China.

"Here is a very famous tourist site in winter. I came with my parents. My father has never seen the ice lights, but he knows the ice lights are magnificent, so I wanted to show my parents what it looks like. After I came, I realised the lights are very beautiful indeed. We don't even want to leave! Although it is cold, we enjoy ourselves so much, "she says.

The ice festival was first held in Harbin in 1985.

While events like the ice sculpting, the ice swimming and the mass weddings lure people in, it's stunning sights like this that keep them coming back.

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Wide aerial of fireworks at Harbin Ice and Snow Park ++MUTE++

2. Tilt down from fireworks to ice sculptures

3. Wide of fireworks in sky above crowds and ice sculptures

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 4 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

4. Pan of train touring ice and snow sculptures

5. Wide of ice sculpture of train

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

6. Wide of crowds milling around train-like touring vehicle

7. Wide of crowds and ice sculpture

8. Mid of people walking up ice stairs onto sculpture

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 6 January 2020

++DAY SHOTS++

9. Various aerial shots of Harbin Ice and Snow Park ++MUTE++

10. Wide of Ice Sculpture Competition area

11. Close of ice block with sculpture competitors working in background

12. Mid of American ice sculptor Roger Wing cutting ice block with chainsaw

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 7 January 2020

13. Various of Wing flattening ice

14. Various of Wing polishing ice with iron

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Roger Wing, American ice sculptor:

"Twenty years ago, there was only one or two carvers who are making figures, because it's very difficult to create human anatomy, human faces, human hands. Only one or two artists were really good at it 20 years ago. But now we have all learned the techniques to get stronger and now many carvers can do beautiful figures."

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 6 January 2020

16. Mid of clay sculpture with sketch next to it on ice block

17. Close of clay sculpture of a flying apsaras

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 7 January 2020

18. Various of Chinese sculptor Zhu Rui carving ice

19. Various of Chinese sculptor Wang Songyin carving ice

20. Wide of sculptors Luibov Polin (left) and Vadim Polin (right) working near ice sculptures

21. Mid of Luibov Polin drawing on ice sculpture

22. Mid of Luibov Polin and Vadim Polin working on their ice sculpture with drill

23. Close of drill

24. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Vadim Polin, Russian sculptor:

"Our work is a Chinese dragon and a Russian girl. It represents the friendship between the two countries. It's a new world by combining them together."

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 6 January 2020

25. Various of Harbin Ice Sculpture Competition area

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

26. Pan left from wide of four male swimmers diving into cold water to mid of two male swimmers doing breaststroke

27. Close of male swimmer in white swim cap doing breaststroke in cold water

28. Mid of two race referees recording swim times

29. Mid with zoom out of Bai Ling (left) and Zhang Xiaofeng (right) diving from blocks into cold water

30. Mid of Bai Ling winning race

31. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Bai Ling (right) and Zhang Xiaofeng (left), Ice Swimmers from Heilongjiang Province:

(Bai Ling) "It is really exciting! I hope more people can join us for ice swimming."

(Zhang Xiaofeng) "Ice swimming is cool! The more we swim the younger we become!"

32. Zoom out from mid of male swimmer in white swimming cap breast stroking to wide of swimmers breast stroking to finish line

33. Mid of young male swimmer climbing up ladder out of pool

34. Various of line of brides and grooms walking

35. Wide of couples walking by riverside

36. Wide of couples turning towards each other on stage

37. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Shurong, bride (with groom Wei Shuqi):

"The old days was difficult. It was not easy for most to wear a wedding dress. Life was hard. No one could get married in such a big occasion. We are very grateful and honoured."

38. Various of couples reciting wedding vows UPSOUND (Mandarin) "I swear I will love the country, care for our parents…We will respect and love each other…We will understand and accommodate each other…We will love each other for the rest of our lives."

39. Mid of grooms putting rings on brides

40. Mid of couples hugging

41. Wide of couples waving with bouquets

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 4 January 2020

42. Wide of tourists ringing giant bell on ice platform

43. Wide of ice castle against backdrop of sunset

44. Various of tourists riding bikes on ice and snow track

++NIGHT SHOTS++

45. Mid of illuminated ice sculptures and moon

46. Wide of tour bus and tourists on foot passing ice blocks and ice sculptures

47. Wide of ice palace lit in yellow and blue with people milling around

48. Pan left of people on bikes in front of ice castle lit in yellow and blue

49. Wide of ice park

50. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Chen Bailing, Tourist from Hebei Province:

"Here is a very famous tourist site in winter. I came with my parents. My father has never seen the ice lights, but he knows the ice lights are magnificent, so I wanted to show my parents what it looks like. After I came, I realised the lights are very beautiful indeed. We don't even want to leave! Although it is cold, we enjoy ourselves so much."

51. Pan left from tour bus to ice sculpture of train

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

52. Various night time aerials of Harbin Ice and Snow sculptures ++MUTE++

LEAD IN:

The Harbin Snow and Ice Festival draws millions to China's icy north from all over the world to marvel at glittering towers and sculptures built entirely of ice and snow.

Now in its 36th year, the annual event includes ice sculpting, a swimming race across frozen water, and even a mass wedding - and it's proving more popular than ever.

STORY-LINE:

In the dark depths of winter in the northernmost province of China, a riot of fireworks and twinkling lights sparkle in the night sky.

Here, thousands brave temperatures that hover around -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) to experience an annual display that glitters and shimmers.

And it's all the more awesome when you learn how these structures are made: this extraordinary spectacle is built entirely of snow and ice.

The 2020 Harbin Snow and Ice Festival runs through until February.

The event - in its 36th year - attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

The festival sprawls across four sites, with the largest two the Sun Island Snow Park, and the Harbin Ice and Snow Park, both near the banks of the mighty Songhua River.

This year, the Sun Island Snow Park covers an area of 600,000 square metres.

One of the key drawcards of the festival is the annual ice sculpting event, which this year attracted 60 sculptors from all over the world.

In the days leading up to the judging, the frosty northern air is full of the hum of chainsaws, drills and grinders.

Carving began at the start of the week (Monday 6 January 2020), and the sculptors had to be done by Wednesday (8 January 2020).

This event requires that entrants carve their designs from ice blocks taken from Songhua River.

Roger Wing is an ice and wood sculptor and competitor here, hailing from the US.

With his sculpture - a collaboration with Finnish artist Anssi Kuosa - he is exploring ideas of beauty and age: a witch looking into a magical mirror, seeing a beautiful face.  

He flattens the ice block with a nail plate before ironing it to create a transparent effect.

With 20 years of experience sculpting, Wing has first-hand experience of how carving tools and techniques have improved.

"Twenty years ago, there was only one or two carvers who are making figures, because it's very difficult to create human anatomy, human faces, human hands," he says.

"Only one or two artists were very good at it 20 years ago. But now we have all learned the techniques to get stronger and now many carvers can do beautiful figures."

Chinese sculptor, Zhu Rui, and his partner initially began ice carving as a hobby but went professional five years ago.

Here at Harbin they are creating an apsaras flying around the moon - influenced by Chinese dance and culture.

Chinese sculptor Wang Songyin is working with a variety of implements to create his vision.

Getting the angle right for this pointed detail is a painstaking process.

Here, Russian couple Vadim Polin and Luibov Polina are carving a Russian girl being lifted up by a Chinese dragon.

For them, the work is a tribute to the long history of relations between Russia and China.

"Our work is a Chinese dragon and a Russian girl. It represents the friendship between the two countries. It's a new world by combining them together," says Vadim Polin.

Across the sculpting area here, extreme care is being taken to add minute details to each work, which can involve hundreds of pieces of ice.

With the judging over, the works will stay on display here for two months.

Beside the Songhua River, competitors here are taking a plunge of a different sort at the annual ice swimming event.

Believe it or not, it's warmer in this ice-cold swimming pool than in the frigid air outside.

Crowds have gathered to provide support, as timekeepers carefully record the swimmers' performances.

The pool here is carved from the ice of the Songhua River.

All told about 200 swimmers from 42 teams are competing.

They hail from all over China, as well as some from Russia and the United States.

The swimmers are divided into groups, by sex and age.

There are events for the young, the middle-aged, and the old.

"It is really exciting! I hope more people can join us for ice swimming," says local swimmer Bai Ling.

"Ice swimming is cool! The more we swim the younger we become!" says her fellow competitor, local Zhang Xiaofeng.

As the swimmers make their hurried way to the finish line, the air temperature outside is a body-numbingly cold -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit).

That can make getting out of the pool a struggle, but thankfully friends or family are usually on hand to give the competitors some warmth once out of the water.

There's warmth aplenty further down the riverbank at the annual Harbin mass wedding.

This year, 43 couples are declaring their love and commitment to each other, parading along the riverfront promenade to the main stage.

Today it's -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit), so bridal gowns and suits are covered in warm winter jackets.

The couples have come from around China to share their special day, but not all are getting married for the first time.

Wang Shurong and her groom Wei Shuqi have come from a remote village in Heilongjiang province, and were invited here to celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary.

"The old days was difficult. It was not easy for most to wear a wedding dress. Life was hard. No one could get married in such a big occasion. We are very grateful and honoured," says Wang Shurong.

In unison, the couples recite their wedding vows, and exchange rings.

They promise to love their country, care for their parents and love each other for the rest of their lives.

In the Sun Island Snow Park this year, 110,000 cubic meters of snow has been used to build and hand-carve the structures that loom here in the icy cold sky.

At the beginning of every December, local workers start the painstaking work of preparing the site.

This year, executing the vision took 360 hours, with 10,000 workers required for the job.

Many of the attractions this year provide fun for visitors of all ages and interests, and across the festival's locations, there are more than 20 games and activities on offer.

The glittering, icy spectacle is known throughout China, with families, couples, groups of friends and singles travelling here from far and wide.

Chen Bailing is here with her parents from Hebei province, in central China.

"Here is a very famous tourist site in winter. I came with my parents. My father has never seen the ice lights, but he knows the ice lights are magnificent, so I wanted to show my parents what it looks like. After I came, I realised the lights are very beautiful indeed. We don't even want to leave! Although it is cold, we enjoy ourselves so much, "she says.

The ice festival was first held in Harbin in 1985.

While events like the ice sculpting, the ice swimming and the mass weddings lure people in, it's stunning sights like this that keep them coming back.

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Wide aerial of fireworks at Harbin Ice and Snow Park ++MUTE++

2. Tilt down from fireworks to ice sculptures

3. Wide of fireworks in sky above crowds and ice sculptures

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 4 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

4. Pan of train touring ice and snow sculptures

5. Wide of ice sculpture of train

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

6. Wide of crowds milling around train-like touring vehicle

7. Wide of crowds and ice sculpture

8. Mid of people walking up ice stairs onto sculpture

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 6 January 2020

++DAY SHOTS++

9. Various aerial shots of Harbin Ice and Snow Park ++MUTE++

10. Wide of Ice Sculpture Competition area

11. Close of ice block with sculpture competitors working in background

12. Mid of American ice sculptor Roger Wing cutting ice block with chainsaw

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 7 January 2020

13. Various of Wing flattening ice

14. Various of Wing polishing ice with iron

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Roger Wing, American ice sculptor:

"Twenty years ago, there was only one or two carvers who are making figures, because it's very difficult to create human anatomy, human faces, human hands. Only one or two artists were really good at it 20 years ago. But now we have all learned the techniques to get stronger and now many carvers can do beautiful figures."

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 6 January 2020

16. Mid of clay sculpture with sketch next to it on ice block

17. Close of clay sculpture of a flying apsaras

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 7 January 2020

18. Various of Chinese sculptor Zhu Rui carving ice

19. Various of Chinese sculptor Wang Songyin carving ice

20. Wide of sculptors Luibov Polin (left) and Vadim Polin (right) working near ice sculptures

21. Mid of Luibov Polin drawing on ice sculpture

22. Mid of Luibov Polin and Vadim Polin working on their ice sculpture with drill

23. Close of drill

24. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Vadim Polin, Russian sculptor:

"Our work is a Chinese dragon and a Russian girl. It represents the friendship between the two countries. It's a new world by combining them together."

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 6 January 2020

25. Various of Harbin Ice Sculpture Competition area

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

26. Pan left from wide of four male swimmers diving into cold water to mid of two male swimmers doing breaststroke

27. Close of male swimmer in white swim cap doing breaststroke in cold water

28. Mid of two race referees recording swim times

29. Mid with zoom out of Bai Ling (left) and Zhang Xiaofeng (right) diving from blocks into cold water

30. Mid of Bai Ling winning race

31. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Bai Ling (right) and Zhang Xiaofeng (left), Ice Swimmers from Heilongjiang Province:

(Bai Ling) "It is really exciting! I hope more people can join us for ice swimming."

(Zhang Xiaofeng) "Ice swimming is cool! The more we swim the younger we become!"

32. Zoom out from mid of male swimmer in white swimming cap breast stroking to wide of swimmers breast stroking to finish line

33. Mid of young male swimmer climbing up ladder out of pool

34. Various of line of brides and grooms walking

35. Wide of couples walking by riverside

36. Wide of couples turning towards each other on stage

37. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Shurong, bride (with groom Wei Shuqi):

"The old days was difficult. It was not easy for most to wear a wedding dress. Life was hard. No one could get married in such a big occasion. We are very grateful and honoured."

38. Various of couples reciting wedding vows UPSOUND (Mandarin) "I swear I will love the country, care for our parents…We will respect and love each other…We will understand and accommodate each other…We will love each other for the rest of our lives."

39. Mid of grooms putting rings on brides

40. Mid of couples hugging

41. Wide of couples waving with bouquets

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 4 January 2020

42. Wide of tourists ringing giant bell on ice platform

43. Wide of ice castle against backdrop of sunset

44. Various of tourists riding bikes on ice and snow track

++NIGHT SHOTS++

45. Mid of illuminated ice sculptures and moon

46. Wide of tour bus and tourists on foot passing ice blocks and ice sculptures

47. Wide of ice palace lit in yellow and blue with people milling around

48. Pan left of people on bikes in front of ice castle lit in yellow and blue

49. Wide of ice park

50. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Chen Bailing, Tourist from Hebei Province:

"Here is a very famous tourist site in winter. I came with my parents. My father has never seen the ice lights, but he knows the ice lights are magnificent, so I wanted to show my parents what it looks like. After I came, I realised the lights are very beautiful indeed. We don't even want to leave! Although it is cold, we enjoy ourselves so much."

51. Pan left from tour bus to ice sculpture of train

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China – 5 January 2020

52. Various night time aerials of Harbin Ice and Snow sculptures ++MUTE++

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China - 5 January 2011

+++ NIGHT SHOTS +++

1. Wide, pan of Harbin Ice World with ice castles lit up in bright colours

2. Mid of roofs of ice castles with lights

3. Close of roof of ice building, tilt down to wide of ice architectures

4. Wide of top of ice tower, ice pillar in the foreground

5. Wide pan of ice buildings in ice park

6. Tourists wandering around ice buildings

7. Wide of tourists in ice park

8. Close of girl taking pictures of ice building

9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Li Min, Tourist:

"These ice castles and world famous buildings are quite special and creative. They make me feel like I am in a fairytale world. "

10. Wide high shot of Harbin Ice World

11. Ice castles with laser lights waving behind, visitors in foreground

12. Wide of people sliding down ice slide from ice castle

13. Mid of person sliding down

14. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lin Yongyong, Tourist:

"This place is really colourful, full of bright colours like red and blue... There are many people here and the atmosphere is great."

15. Wide of ice castles with laser lights

16. Mid of tops of towers

17. Mid of tourists in ice park

+++ DAY SHOTS +++

18. Close of worker breaking ice block into small pieces

19. Mid of workers carrying ice blocks

20. Wide of workers carrying ice down steps

21. Close of sculptor carving ice

22. Wide of sculptors working on ice sculpture in ice park

23. Mid of sculptor at work, silhouetted against the sunset

24. Wide of sculptors working on ice sculpture

25. Ice sculpting company manager instructing workers

26. Mid of sculptor working

27. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Qiu Guanghui, Manager, Qiuge Ice Sculpting Company:

"It is very cold here in Harbin this year, and the ice is very hard and it is more difficult to carve the ice and complete the designs."

28. Wide of ice castles at sunset

29. Ice castle rooftops at sunset

AP Television

Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China - 6 January 2011

+++ NIGHT SHOTS +++

30. Wide, tilt down of ice castles

31. Little girl posing for photos beside ice pillars

32. Wide of man playing with little girl in ice castle

33. Mid of tourists in carriage

34. Wide of carriage passing by ice castles

35. Wide of manager of Ice World being interviewed in front of ice castle

36. Close of tops of ice castles

37. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhao Hongjun, Manager of Harbin Ice Park:

"The Harbin Ice Park this year is very large in scale and it features ice architectures as tall as around 20 to 30 metres (65 - 98 feet). Colourful lights are getting more and more important for ice lanterns and architectures nowadays, we will try to employ more LED lights into our designs in the future."

38. Wide of ice castles with lights

39. Mid of castles with laser lights behind

40. Close of ice buildings with lights changing inside

41. Various of Harbin Ice Park with fireworks exploding above ice castles

LEAD IN:

Tourists are flocking to the world's biggest ice wonderland in Heilongjiang province, China.

This year the 600,000 square metre site boasts 10 themed parks and 50 life size buildings - all constructed from ice.

STORYLINE:

Fairy tale palaces and towering pagodas all carved from ice are among the sights at this year's Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in northern China.

'Dream World' and 'Fairytale Kingdom' are the main themes this year, and organisers say they've used thousands of extra lasers and LED (light-emitting diode) lights to add a touch of fairytale magic to the ice park.

Now in it's 27th year, the event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Organisers say they are expecting 1.2 million people between now and the end of February when the festival will melt away for another year.

"These ice castles and world famous buildings are quite special and creative. They make me feel like I am in a fairytale world," says tourist, Li Min.

"There are many people here and the atmosphere is great," says Lin Yongyong, a tourist from Guangdong province that seldom sees snow.

All the ice used to create the buildings and sculptures is taken from the frozen Heilongjiang River, the main waterway in Northern China.

Fifteen thousand workers spend almost two months building the ice works. They use around 18,000 cubic metres of ice.

Qiu Guanghui is the manager of Qiuge Ice Sculpting Company.

He and his team of 120 workers are behind many of the sculptures at this year's festival.

"It is very cold here in Harbin this year, and the ice is very hard and it is more difficult to carve the ice and complete the designs," he says.

The average temperature in Harbin this month so far has been around -28 degrees Centigrade (-18 Fahrenheit ).

Harbin is already billed as the world's biggest ice park, but organisers say that they are continually looking for ideas to make it even bigger and better.

"The Harbin Ice Park this year is very large in scale and it features ice architectures as tall as around 20 to 30 metres (65 - 98 feet)," says park manager, Zhao Hongjun.

"Colourful lights are getting more and more important for ice lanterns and architectures nowadays, we will try to employ more LED lights into our designs in the future."

Entry to the festival, which also includes winter sports competitions, is free.

A ticket to visit the sculptures costs 330 RMB (around 50 US dollars).

LEADIN:

Forget Sydney, a towering opera house in Harbin, China is winning awards and turning heads.

The north eastern city, in China's Heilongjiang province, is best known for its annual winter festival and ice sculptures.

STORYLINE:

On the east side of China's Songhua River, a new landmark - the Harbin Opera House.

From above, it looks like a swirling silver scarf, wrapping around the grand building.

It was completed in 2015 by Beijing-based architectural firm, MAD.

Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD, says he chose the location because he imagined the building as an extension of the surrounding river flows and wetlands.

"The architecture should be taken as part of the landscape," he says.

"The architecture should be taken as part of the landscape. The opera house appears to be a snow hill. From an aerial view, it looks like part of the river. It's completely curvilinear. It blends with the natural environment. It is an artificial work, (but) in my mind, it's also like a spirit from nature. Visitors to the opera house feel as if they were still in the natural environment."

Located on Harbin Cultural Island, the city's new cultural hub by Songhua River, the opera house covers 79,000 square metres (850,000 square feet).

It comprises two performing venues: a grand theatre that can accommodate an audience of 1,600, and a small arena with 400 seats.

Along the stairway, embedded in and spiralling around the exterior wall, visitors are led to a platform on the rooftop. It's there they can enjoy views of the entire cultural island.

Ma hopes the opera house will be a place where residents can spend their leisure time, even if they don't watch a musical performance.

"Most importantly, the architecture is a friendly cultural symbol," he says.

"It's very different from the so-called 'landmarks' which were designed as if they were statues.

"The Opera House is undoubtedly another landmark, but it is a landmark partly because of its charm, another significant factor is because it is an essential destination for residents."

The same theme of fluidity continues in the interior.

Inside the lobby, curved wooden and white walls are decorated with starry lights.

The grand theatre is decked with curved, polished ash, like a section of a large instrument.

Raphael Schluesselberg is the conductor of orchestra, Symphonia Vienna. It was founded in Vienna in 1985.

"Not only outside, but also inside, the whole auditorium with (these) round lines, almost no corners, it's also acoustically amazing," says Schluesselberg.

"We just love to play here and be here and we really enjoy."

Since completion, the Harbin Opera House has received awards.

It became the first piece of Chinese architecture to be awarded 'Building of the Year' by international architecture website 'ArchDaily.'

Ma says China has now passed the era when lots of functional structures were needed.

With so many straight-lined and square buildings, he says it's now time for Chinese architects to think more about the natural environment, the community and local culture.

"The Opera House is an innovation," he says.

"Moreover, it's tightly integrated with nature, landscape and society. It's architecture that sprouts from local culture."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 6 January 2018

1. Various aerial shots of Harbin Opera House ++MUTE++

Beijing, China - 1 February 2018

2. Mid of architect Ma Yansong sitting in front of building model

3. Close of Ma

4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Ma Yansong, Architect:

"The architecture should be taken as part of the landscape. The opera house appears to be a snow hill. From the aerial view, it looks like part of the river. It's completely curvilinear. It blends with the natural environment. It is an artificial work, (but) in my mind, it's also like a spirit from nature. Visitors to the opera house feel as if they were still in the natural environment."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 6 January 2018

5. Various of Harbin Opera House exterior

6. Wide of visitors walking down stairs

7. Wide of Harbin Opera House exterior

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 8 January 2018

8. Wide of ceiling and stairway inside Harbin Opera House

Beijing, China - 1 February 2018

9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Ma Yansong, Architect:

"Most importantly, the architecture is a friendly cultural symbol. It's very different from the so-called 'landmarks' which were designed as if they were statues. The Opera House is undoubtedly another landmark, but it is a landmark partly because of its charm, another significant factor is because it is an essential destination for residents."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 8 January 2018

10. Various of grand theatre of Harbin Opera House ++MUTE++

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 4 January 2018

11. Various of Symphonia Vienna concert

UPSOUND: music

12. Setup shot of Raphael Schluesselberg, Conductor of Symphonia Vienna

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Raphael Schluesselberg, Conductor of Symphonia Vienna:

"Not only outside, but also inside, the whole auditorium with this round lines, almost no corners, it's also acoustically amazing. We just love to play here and be here and we really enjoy."

14. Wide of Symphonia Vienna concert

UPSOUND: music

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 8 January 2018

15. Various of Harbin Opera House interior

Beijing, China - 1 February 2018

16. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Ma Yansong, Architect:

"China usually accepts the model that has been recognized internationally. The Opera House is an innovation. Moreover, it is tightly integrated with nature, landscape and society. It's architecture that sprouts from local culture."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 6 January 2018

17. Various of aerial shots of Harbin Opera House ++MUTE++

LEADIN:

Forget Sydney, a towering opera house in Harbin, China is winning awards and turning heads.

The north eastern city, in China's Heilongjiang province, is best known for its annual winter festival and ice sculptures.

STORYLINE:

On the east side of China's Songhua River, a new landmark - the Harbin Opera House.

From above, it looks like a swirling silver scarf, wrapping around the grand building.

It was completed in 2015 by Beijing-based architectural firm, MAD.

Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD, says he chose the location because he imagined the building as an extension of the surrounding river flows and wetlands.

"The architecture should be taken as part of the landscape," he says.

"The architecture should be taken as part of the landscape. The opera house appears to be a snow hill. From an aerial view, it looks like part of the river. It's completely curvilinear. It blends with the natural environment. It is an artificial work, (but) in my mind, it's also like a spirit from nature. Visitors to the opera house feel as if they were still in the natural environment."

Located on Harbin Cultural Island, the city's new cultural hub by Songhua River, the opera house covers 79,000 square metres (850,000 square feet).

It comprises two performing venues: a grand theatre that can accommodate an audience of 1,600, and a small arena with 400 seats.

Along the stairway, embedded in and spiralling around the exterior wall, visitors are led to a platform on the rooftop. It's there they can enjoy views of the entire cultural island.

Ma hopes the opera house will be a place where residents can spend their leisure time, even if they don't watch a musical performance.

"Most importantly, the architecture is a friendly cultural symbol," he says.

"It's very different from the so-called 'landmarks' which were designed as if they were statues.

"The Opera House is undoubtedly another landmark, but it is a landmark partly because of its charm, another significant factor is because it is an essential destination for residents."

The same theme of fluidity continues in the interior.

Inside the lobby, curved wooden and white walls are decorated with starry lights.

The grand theatre is decked with curved, polished ash, like a section of a large instrument.

Raphael Schluesselberg is the conductor of orchestra, Symphonia Vienna. It was founded in Vienna in 1985.

"Not only outside, but also inside, the whole auditorium with (these) round lines, almost no corners, it's also acoustically amazing," says Schluesselberg.

"We just love to play here and be here and we really enjoy."

Since completion, the Harbin Opera House has received awards.

It became the first piece of Chinese architecture to be awarded 'Building of the Year' by international architecture website 'ArchDaily.'

Ma says China has now passed the era when lots of functional structures were needed.

With so many straight-lined and square buildings, he says it's now time for Chinese architects to think more about the natural environment, the community and local culture.

"The Opera House is an innovation," he says.

"Moreover, it's tightly integrated with nature, landscape and society. It's architecture that sprouts from local culture."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 6 January 2018

1. Various aerial shots of Harbin Opera House ++MUTE++

Beijing, China - 1 February 2018

2. Mid of architect Ma Yansong sitting in front of building model

3. Close of Ma

4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Ma Yansong, Architect:

"The architecture should be taken as part of the landscape. The opera house appears to be a snow hill. From the aerial view, it looks like part of the river. It's completely curvilinear. It blends with the natural environment. It is an artificial work, (but) in my mind, it's also like a spirit from nature. Visitors to the opera house feel as if they were still in the natural environment."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 6 January 2018

5. Various of Harbin Opera House exterior

6. Wide of visitors walking down stairs

7. Wide of Harbin Opera House exterior

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 8 January 2018

8. Wide of ceiling and stairway inside Harbin Opera House

Beijing, China - 1 February 2018

9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Ma Yansong, Architect:

"Most importantly, the architecture is a friendly cultural symbol. It's very different from the so-called 'landmarks' which were designed as if they were statues. The Opera House is undoubtedly another landmark, but it is a landmark partly because of its charm, another significant factor is because it is an essential destination for residents."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 8 January 2018

10. Various of grand theatre of Harbin Opera House ++MUTE++

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 4 January 2018

11. Various of Symphonia Vienna concert

UPSOUND: music

12. Setup shot of Raphael Schluesselberg, Conductor of Symphonia Vienna

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Raphael Schluesselberg, Conductor of Symphonia Vienna:

"Not only outside, but also inside, the whole auditorium with this round lines, almost no corners, it's also acoustically amazing. We just love to play here and be here and we really enjoy."

14. Wide of Symphonia Vienna concert

UPSOUND: music

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 8 January 2018

15. Various of Harbin Opera House interior

Beijing, China - 1 February 2018

16. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Ma Yansong, Architect:

"China usually accepts the model that has been recognized internationally. The Opera House is an innovation. Moreover, it is tightly integrated with nature, landscape and society. It's architecture that sprouts from local culture."

Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), China - 6 January 2018

17. Various of aerial shots of Harbin Opera House ++MUTE++

LEAD-IN:

Dozens of ice sculptors are trying to keep their fingers warm and nimble at the Harbin International Ice Sculpting Competition.

And the cold temperatures in the Chinese city are not affecting the warmth and inclusiveness of the event, which is attracting competitors from around the world.

STORY-LINE:

Some 60 ice sculptors are gathering in Harbin, China's so-called ice city, for the annual International Ice Sculpting Competition.

Sculptors are showcasing their frosty art to visitors at the Harbin Ice and Snow World.

Veteran ice sculptor Yue Changshui is competing for the sixth time.

He is making a "messenger" ice sculpture, he says, to send a message of good will.

"This is a very good international platform to exchange ideas about ice sculpting," Yue said.

"It brings different cultures from various countries and regions. This competition has great significance for art exchange. I try to participate in this competition every year, as long as I can, because it is a very meaningful competition."

Yue has been making ice sculptures for more than 20 years.

He is from China's Jilin province, where ice sculpting is a traditional winter art.

Ice sculptors from 14 countries including China, US, Russia, Italy, Spain, and Mongolia are participating in the competition that started on 6 January.

Spanish ice sculptor Andrey Elias and his partner Madeu Marcet are at the event for the second time.

"We usually go to different competitions for snow and ice around the world," Elias said.

"We've been in Russia, Slovenia, Canada and United States. Harbin is the biggest one. It's amazing to see these buildings made by ice and the city. It's really nice and we enjoyed a lot to stay here," he said.

Elias and Marcet are making an ice sculpture of a sea horse.

Competitors are expected to complete their ice sculpture within three days.

About 30 finished pieces of ice sculptures will be showcased to visitors of Harbin Ice World at the end of the competition.

The ice sculpting competition is part of the annual Harbin Ice Festival, at the Ice and Snow World.

About 1.5 million visitors are expected to visit the festival.

The northeastern city Harbin transforms itself into a winter wonderland when temperatures dropped to -20 Celsius and the Songhua River freezes over.

This year's Harbin Ice Festival officially opens on 5 January and runs through 5 February.

LEAD-IN:

Dozens of ice sculptors are trying to keep their fingers warm and nimble at the Harbin International Ice Sculpting Competition.

And the cold temperatures in the Chinese city are not affecting the warmth and inclusiveness of the event, which is attracting competitors from around the world.

STORY-LINE:

Some 60 ice sculptors are gathering in Harbin, China's so-called ice city, for the annual International Ice Sculpting Competition.

Sculptors are showcasing their frosty art to visitors at the Harbin Ice and Snow World.

Veteran ice sculptor Yue Changshui is competing for the sixth time.

He is making a "messenger" ice sculpture, he says, to send a message of good will.

"This is a very good international platform to exchange ideas about ice sculpting," Yue said.

"It brings different cultures from various countries and regions. This competition has great significance for art exchange. I try to participate in this competition every year, as long as I can, because it is a very meaningful competition."

Yue has been making ice sculptures for more than 20 years.

He is from China's Jilin province, where ice sculpting is a traditional winter art.

Ice sculptors from 14 countries including China, US, Russia, Italy, Spain, and Mongolia are participating in the competition that started on 6 January.

Spanish ice sculptor Andrey Elias and his partner Madeu Marcet are at the event for the second time.

"We usually go to different competitions for snow and ice around the world," Elias said.

"We've been in Russia, Slovenia, Canada and United States. Harbin is the biggest one. It's amazing to see these buildings made by ice and the city. It's really nice and we enjoyed a lot to stay here," he said.

Elias and Marcet are making an ice sculpture of a sea horse.

Competitors are expected to complete their ice sculpture within three days.

About 30 finished pieces of ice sculptures will be showcased to visitors of Harbin Ice World at the end of the competition.

The ice sculpting competition is part of the annual Harbin Ice Festival, at the Ice and Snow World.

About 1.5 million visitors are expected to visit the festival.

The northeastern city Harbin transforms itself into a winter wonderland when temperatures dropped to -20 Celsius and the Songhua River freezes over.

This year's Harbin Ice Festival officially opens on 5 January and runs through 5 February.

Harbin - 7 January 2015

1. Chinese sculptor Yue Changshui working on his ice sculpture at the Harbin International Ice Sculpting Competition

2. Various of Yue carving ice with an ice spade

3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Yue Changshui, Ice Sculptor from China's Jilin Province:

"This is a very good international platform to exchange ideas about ice sculpting. It brings different cultures from various countries and regions. This competition has great significance for art exchange. I try to participate in this competition every year, as long as I can, because it is a very meaningful competition."

4. Wide of ice sculpting site in Harbin Ice and Snow World

5. Flags, with ice in foreground

6. Ice sculptors taking part in the competition

7. Pan right of ice sculptors working on sculptures

8. Various of sculptors carving ice blocks with ice spades and chainsaws

Harbin - 6 January 2015

9. Close of Spanish ice sculptor Andrey Elias (wearing glasses and orange scarf) carving ice, using an ice spade

10. Various of Elias sculpting ice

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrey Elias, Ice Sculptor from Spain:

"We usually go to different competitions for snow and ice around the world. We've been in Russia, Slovenia, Canada and United States. Harbin is the biggest one. It's amazing to see these buildings made by ice and the city. It's really nice and we enjoyed a lot to stay here."

12. Elias and another ice sculptors carving ice, with ice buildings in background

Harbin - 7 January, 2015

13. Ice sculptor working on ice sculpture of an eagle

14. Pull out from interior of ice sculpture being polished to the ice block

15. Tilt up of ice sculptor polishing her sculpture

16. Ice sculptor working

17. Pan left of Harbin Ice World as the sun sets

18. Various of ice sculptures with sculptors

LEADIN:

China's art scene is undergoing a major shift as the country's economic rise fuels an increase in collectors and investors.

The Beijing Art Expo, which is now underway, is helping to create a buzz by showcasing the talent and trends of artists worldwide, but at a cost.

STORYLINE:

At this exhibition, art is beyond boundaries and materials.

Among the various stands and booths here are traditional Chinese paintings alongside international and more contemporary works.

There are also pieces from artists in Russia and North Korea.  

While no North Korean artists were able to attend the expo to promote their paintings, one gallery curator at the event, Zhang Dandan says their works are worth investing in.

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings," she says.

Curators say because of China's economic rise, more and more Chinese are becoming interested in art and attending exhibitions like this.

Lai Zhigang is a painter who is famous for his traditional Chinese paintings. His stand is dominated by his work 'Xiahe Symphony' which highlights his use of black and white.

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture," he says.

However, Mr Lai believes China's art scene has not developed as quickly as its economy.

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics," he says.

The art works range from paintings to sculptures, like this installation of concrete lamps by Zhang Baogui.

Different colours, textures and materials are on display, including the eye catching gold paintings of artist Kim II Tae.  

Richie Chai, who represents the painter, explains why he specializes in gold: "Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold," he adds.

While the gold paintings draw much attention, there are few people willing to pay upwards of one million RMB (US$146,000) for the cheapest item.

More foreign artists are waking up to China as a growing market for their art.

Ana Moreno is an artist from Venezuela and the director of Art Center Miami in the United States. She explains the philosophy behinds her paintings which concentrate on fish.

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

The owner of Art Center Miami, Connie Suarez says she wanted to be part of the exhibition because the similarities between Chinese and Latin American culture.

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China," she says.

The Beijing Art Expo runs from 30 August until 2 September 2018.

Organisers are expecting around 20,000 people to attend over the four days.

Beijing, China – 30 August 2018

1. Close of 'On the Day of Mass Gymnastics' by Kim Ryong Il (2018)

2. Mid of 'Beauty in Front of The Longevity Painting' by Hong Mi (2017)

3. Mid of a visitor looking at North Korean paintings

4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Dandan, curator of 985 Gallery of Harbin International Oil Paintings Trading Center:

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As the culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings. "

5. Various of the art expo

6. Mid of an artist doing calligraphy

7. Various of the art booth of Chinese landscape painter Lai Zhigang

8. Close of painting 'Kong Shanxinyuhou' (2014) with reflection

9. Mid of Lai Zhigang talking with a visitor

10. Pan of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

11. Various of Lai Zhigang's art booth

12. Various of a visitor looking at Lai's paintings

13. Tilt-down of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

14. Various of visitor taking photo with Lai

15. Close of Lai and a visitor on a photo

16. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture."

17. Various of Lai Zhigang's paintings

18. Wide of exhibition and Lai's poster

19. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics."

20. Mid of visitors at the expo

21. Close of a painting 'Panda'

22. Installations

23. Various of the Concrete Lamp installation by Zhang Baogui (2018)

24. Mid of the art expo ++MUTE++

25. 'Bus Station' by Ri Song Chol (2018)

26. Pan to the stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

27. Mid of stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

28. Gold paintings by South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

29. Tilt-up of 'Eternity' by Kim Il Tae (2013)

30. Various of a visitor with Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China)

31. Close of Chai's hands

32. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Why? Because Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

33. Various of details of Kim Il Tae's paintings

34. Mid of Kim's paintings

35. Close of 'Auspicious Spiritual Beast' by Kim Il Tae (2017)

36. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold."

37. Various of expo, visitors and art

38. Mid of two paintings showing ballerinas, 'Passion and Power', Si QIuli (date unknown)

39. Various of visitors with Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami

40. Tilt-up of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

41. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

42. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

43. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"Well for me, life, the circle of life in Zen, it's a big circle that starts and ends in only one stroke. I have one of the paintings you might see after, the whole fish will make a turn and with the tail finishing the circle of life. "

44. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

45. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Connie Suarez, Owner of Art Center Miami:

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China."

46. Tilt-down of 'Gold Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno

47. Mid of Ana Moreno talking with Chinese visitors

LEADIN:

China's art scene is undergoing a major shift as the country's economic rise fuels an increase in collectors and investors.

The Beijing Art Expo, which is now underway, is helping to create a buzz by showcasing the talent and trends of artists worldwide, but at a cost.

STORYLINE:

At this exhibition, art is beyond boundaries and materials.

Among the various stands and booths here are traditional Chinese paintings alongside international and more contemporary works.

There are also pieces from artists in Russia and North Korea.  

While no North Korean artists were able to attend the expo to promote their paintings, one gallery curator at the event, Zhang Dandan says their works are worth investing in.

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings," she says.

Curators say because of China's economic rise, more and more Chinese are becoming interested in art and attending exhibitions like this.

Lai Zhigang is a painter who is famous for his traditional Chinese paintings. His stand is dominated by his work 'Xiahe Symphony' which highlights his use of black and white.

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture," he says.

However, Mr Lai believes China's art scene has not developed as quickly as its economy.

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics," he says.

The art works range from paintings to sculptures, like this installation of concrete lamps by Zhang Baogui.

Different colours, textures and materials are on display, including the eye catching gold paintings of artist Kim II Tae.  

Richie Chai, who represents the painter, explains why he specializes in gold: "Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold," he adds.

While the gold paintings draw much attention, there are few people willing to pay upwards of one million RMB (US$146,000) for the cheapest item.

More foreign artists are waking up to China as a growing market for their art.

Ana Moreno is an artist from Venezuela and the director of Art Center Miami in the United States. She explains the philosophy behinds her paintings which concentrate on fish.

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

The owner of Art Center Miami, Connie Suarez says she wanted to be part of the exhibition because the similarities between Chinese and Latin American culture.

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China," she says.

The Beijing Art Expo runs from 30 August until 2 September 2018.

Organisers are expecting around 20,000 people to attend over the four days.

Beijing, China – 30 August 2018

1. Close of 'On the Day of Mass Gymnastics' by Kim Ryong Il (2018)

2. Mid of 'Beauty in Front of The Longevity Painting' by Hong Mi (2017)

3. Mid of a visitor looking at North Korean paintings

4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Dandan, curator of 985 Gallery of Harbin International Oil Paintings Trading Center:

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As the culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings. "

5. Various of the art expo

6. Mid of an artist doing calligraphy

7. Various of the art booth of Chinese landscape painter Lai Zhigang

8. Close of painting 'Kong Shanxinyuhou' (2014) with reflection

9. Mid of Lai Zhigang talking with a visitor

10. Pan of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

11. Various of Lai Zhigang's art booth

12. Various of a visitor looking at Lai's paintings

13. Tilt-down of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

14. Various of visitor taking photo with Lai

15. Close of Lai and a visitor on a photo

16. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture."

17. Various of Lai Zhigang's paintings

18. Wide of exhibition and Lai's poster

19. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics."

20. Mid of visitors at the expo

21. Close of a painting 'Panda'

22. Installations

23. Various of the Concrete Lamp installation by Zhang Baogui (2018)

24. Mid of the art expo ++MUTE++

25. 'Bus Station' by Ri Song Chol (2018)

26. Pan to the stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

27. Mid of stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

28. Gold paintings by South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

29. Tilt-up of 'Eternity' by Kim Il Tae (2013)

30. Various of a visitor with Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China)

31. Close of Chai's hands

32. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Why? Because Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

33. Various of details of Kim Il Tae's paintings

34. Mid of Kim's paintings

35. Close of 'Auspicious Spiritual Beast' by Kim Il Tae (2017)

36. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold."

37. Various of expo, visitors and art

38. Mid of two paintings showing ballerinas, 'Passion and Power', Si QIuli (date unknown)

39. Various of visitors with Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami

40. Tilt-up of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

41. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

42. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

43. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"Well for me, life, the circle of life in Zen, it's a big circle that starts and ends in only one stroke. I have one of the paintings you might see after, the whole fish will make a turn and with the tail finishing the circle of life. "

44. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

45. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Connie Suarez, Owner of Art Center Miami:

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China."

46. Tilt-down of 'Gold Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno

47. Mid of Ana Moreno talking with Chinese visitors

SHOTLIST

AP Television

Harbin, China 6th January 2012

1. Medium, pan of sculptors carving ice sculptures in 26th Harbin International Ice Sculpting Contest

2. Close of Russian sculptor Barsukov Vladimir cutting ice with electronic motor saw

3. Medium of Vladimir carving ice

4. Wide of Vladimir carving ice

5. Medium of Thai sculptor carving ice sculpture of a Buddha head

6. Close of sculptor carving ice with spade

7. Wide of Thai sculptors carving ice sculpture

8. Wide of Canadian sculptor Patricia Leguen carving ice sculpture in competition

9. Close low angle of Leguen carving ice with spade

10. Close of Leguen carving ice with spade

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Leguen, Canadian Ice Sculptor:

"It tells about how the world received light, the sun, the moon and the stars and the world was not dark any more."

12. Wide of Leguen working around her sculpture

13. Close of Leguen's ice sculpture

14. Wide of sculptors at ice sculpting contest

15. Medium of 79-year-old American sculptor Patiana Schremko carving ice sculpture

16. Close of face of Schremko

17. Close of Schremko carving ice with spade

18. Medium of Schremko carving ice

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Patiana Schremko, 79-year-old American Ice Sculptor:

"I come for enjoyment, but part of the enjoyment is also to do a very good job. Of course, I want to win, but I want to do a very good job, so I know for me I have won. It doesn't mean I have to get number one."

20. Wide of sculptors carving ice sculptures at contest site

21. Wide of Chinese sculptors carving

22. Medium of Chinese sculptor Sun Bingwen carving ice

23. Close of Sun

24. Close of Sun carving ice with spade

25. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Sun Bingwen, Chinese Ice Sculptor:

"The competition is fierce as you can see there are many skilful sculptors here. For us, it is more a platform for us to learn from top sculptors and make friends with them."

26. Wide, pan of sculptors in contest

27. Medium of sculptors carving

AP Television

Harbin, China 7th January 2012

28. Wide of ice sculpting contest organiser Hou Weidong walking by ice sculpture

29. Close of Hou walking by ice sculpture

30. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Hou Weidong, Member of Organising Committee of Harbin International Ice Sculpting Contest:

"We want to continue to expand and promote the Harbin Ice Sculpting Contest and attract more and more top ice sculptors from all over the world."

AP Television

Harbin, China 8th January 2012

31. Wide of award ceremony of 26th Harbin International Ice Sculpting Contest

32. Close, tilt up of organiser presenting medals

33. Mid of championship winner holding up trophy

34. Close of championship winners holding prize cheque

35. Wide of judges clapping

36. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Barsukov Vladimir (Right) and Barsukov Ekaterina, Russian Sculptors and Championship Winners of 26th Harbin International Ice Sculpting Contest:

Vladimir: "I am very excited, and I can't really believe that we have won."

Ekaterina: "We just tried our best to make our ice sculpture and we tried very hard to make it perfect, so we won the championship."

37. Wide of championship winner ice sculpture "The Hunter"

38. Close of ice sculpture "The Hunter"

39. Wide, pan of ice sculptures done by contestants

40. Medium of ice sculpture of girl holding stars

41. Close of ice sculpture of hands holding star

42. Medium of ice sculpture of girl portrait

43. Medium of ice sculpture of sailor operating wheel

44. Close of ice sculpture of sailor

45. Medium of ice sculpture of dancing warriors

46. Wide of ice sculptures displayed at contest site

47. Medium of ice sculpture of Chinese style showing Goddess of Spring

48. Close of ice sculpture with Chinese character reading "blessing"

49. Wide of ice sculpture of warrior riding horse

50. Wide of ice sculpture of Chinese harvest fairytale

51. Wide of ice sculpture "Book of Life"

52. Close of ice sculpture

53. Medium of ice sculpture "Book of Life"

LEAD IN:

Russian sculptors have picked up the trophy for the Harbin International Ice Sculpting Competition.

More than 60 ice sculptors from all over the world have gathered in China's ice city for the annual event.

STORYLINE:

Each year sculptors from across the globe come to the Harbin Ice Festival to show off their skills.

The Ice Sculpting Competition is part of Harbin's annual Ice and Snow Festival, which started on 5th January.

This year, entrants are from 60 different countries including China, Russia, Canada, Thailand, U.S., UAE, Malaysia and South Korea.

The sculptors form 27 teams and have three days to make their ice sculptures.

Their canvasses are vast - some blocks of ice weigh more than two tons and stretch 4 metres (13 feet) high and 3 metres (10 feet) across.

The ice is cut from the frozen surface of the Songhua River in northeastern China and it is famous among ice sculptors for its translucency and delicacy.

Patricia Leguen is an ice sculptor from Canada. Her sculpture represents a legend from her hometown in Vancouver:

"It tells about how the world received the light, the sun, the moon and the stars and the world was not dark any more," she says.

79-year-old Patiana Schremko is a frequent competitor at the festival.

"I come for enjoyment, but part of the enjoyment is also to do a very good job. Of course, I want to win, but I want to do a very good job, so I know for me I have won. It doesn't mean I have to get number one," she says.

Local sculptor, Sun Bingwen is a teacher for fine arts in a middle school in Harbin. He has been ice sculpting for 29 years.

"The competition is fierce as you can see there are many skilful sculptors here. For us, it is more a platform for us to learn from top sculptors and make friends with them," he says.

This year, the competition organising committee have invested more than 15,000 US dollars to build an indoor stadium for the sculptors for the first time.

The temperature controlled area protects the artists from harsh winds while they are working and helps keep the ice sculpture in good shape for longer.

Hou Weidong is the member of the organising committee. He says: "We want to continue to expand and promote the Harbin Ice Sculpting Contest and attract more and more top ice sculptors from all over the world."

This year's winner of the top prize of 10,000 RMB (US $1,600) is "The Hunter" by Russian husband and wife team, Vladimir and Ekaterina Barsukov.

The sculpture - of a female hunter - delivers a message of sexual equality.

"I am very excited, and I can't really believe that we have won," says Vladimir.

"We just tried the best to make our ice sculpture and we tried very hard to make it perfect, so we won the championship," says Ekaterina.

All the sculptures featured in the competition will be on display in Zhaolin Park until the end of February.

Organisers say more than 20,000 visitors will see them in the coming months.

wacky