Harbin Ice and Snow World opens to tourists

Harbin Ice-and-Snow World Festival, with its world-famous frozen sculptures, officially kicks off on January 5, 2010. However, those who can't wait can go as early as December 24, when the park opens to visitors "for testing", according to Sun Jiaju of the Harbin tourism bureau.

Tourists visit the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang province December 24, 2009. [Xinhua]