It's known as "the city of ice" for a good reason. The famous International Ice and Snow Festival opened on Thursday in Harbin, capital of China's northeast Heilongjiang Province.

For three decades, the city has been a by-word for freezing, fun-loving winter holidays. So when most of northern China shuts its doors to the cold winter wind, Harbin always comes to life.

The temperature now is minus 16 degrees centigrade, but it's the best time of the year for Harbin because it is the ideal weather to build a world of ice and snow.

A Harbin resident said, "I feel very excited. Because ice and snow are important parts of our culture. They make our city more beautiful and through the festival people can feel the enthusiasm of the local people."

(CNTV.cn January 6, 2012)