🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 16 (from laksa193)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa016.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-55529089\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-55529089\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/in-pictures-55529089","crawl_time":1771194290,"first_indexed_time":1610073976,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bbc!www,\/news\/in-pictures-55529089 s443","src_root_hash":"1643509356818581016","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Building frozen castles at China's Harbin Ice Festival","meta_descriptions":["Towering ice structures feature at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"8 January 2021\nThe 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China has opened to visitors, featuring frozen towers, palaces and castles.\nShutterstock\nThe festival in Harbin, a city in China's north-east Heilongjiang province, is one of the biggest of its kind.\nIt features towering ice and snow structures, and will host activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions.\nShutterstock\nWith entry to China restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, domestic tourists are expected to make up the majority of visitors.\nShutterstock\nGetty Images\nShutterstock\nGetty Images\nGetty Images\nShutterstock\nGetty Images\nIn December, about 300 \"ice miners\", many of whom are construction labourers and farmers, built the festival's towering ice structures.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nTo build the frozen city, tens of thousands of ice blocks were prised out of the kilometre-wide frozen river Songhua, which winds its way through Harbin.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nThe blocks were then moved by truck to the festival venue, where they were used to build life-sized castles, pagodas, bridges and even a functioning hotpot restaurant.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nIce miner Wang Qiusheng told Reuters news agency why they needed to use ice from the river: \"Artificial ice isn't that thick, and isn't strong enough to stand in the wind.\"\nThe workers wore knee-high rubber boots, down jackets, thick gloves and hats with flaps to protect their ears from the freezing temperatures.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\"We come to mine ice at 6am every day,\" Zhang Wei said to Reuters.\n\"We need to work overtime sometimes, until 8 or 9pm, even late after midnight.\"\nThe ice blocks were laid on top of one another to build walls.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nThe workers then shaped, trimmed and cut them to size with chainsaws, pickle forks and tooth chisels.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nWhen working, the ice miners ate their lunch - a bowl of piping-hot noodles, dumplings or steamed buns - in makeshift canteens made of wooden poles and plastic sheets.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nThe elaborate ice structures are lit up at night in a splendid array of colours.\nCarlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\nHarbin Ice Festival runs until 25 February 2021.\nGetty Images","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/in-pictures-55529089#main-content)\n\n[Register](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?action=register&userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fin-pictures-55529089)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fin-pictures-55529089)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/technology)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Arts](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arts)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/home)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n  - [US & Canada](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/us-canada)\n  - [UK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/uk)\n    - [UK Politics](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/politics)\n    - [England](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/england)\n    - [N. 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[Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n  - [BBC Maestro](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video\/bbc-maestro)\n  - [Discover the World](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video\/discover-the-world)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n  - [Live News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live\/news)\n  - [Live Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live\/sport)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n\nNews\n\n[Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n\nBusiness\n\nTechnology\n\n[Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n\nCulture\n\nArts\n\nTravel\n\nEarth\n\nAudio\n\nVideo\n\nLive\n\n[Weather](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/weather)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/newsletters)\n\n# Building frozen castles at China's Harbin Ice Festival\n8 January 2021\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\n**The 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China has opened to visitors, featuring frozen towers, palaces and castles.**\n\n![Shutterstock An aerial view of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival seen at night](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6778\/production\/_116388462_201837da-fa82-4677-9ba1-cadcce4170bd.jpg.webp)Shutterstock\n\nThe festival in Harbin, a city in China's north-east Heilongjiang province, is one of the biggest of its kind.\n\nIt features towering ice and snow structures, and will host activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions.\n\n![Shutterstock An aerial view of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival seen at night](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/CF35\/production\/_116354035_shutterstock_editorial_11679210a.jpg.webp)Shutterstock\n\nWith entry to China restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, domestic tourists are expected to make up the majority of visitors.\n\n![Shutterstock Two people take selfie in front of a snow sculpture](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/F645\/production\/_116354036_shutterstock_editorial_11676939g.jpg.webp)Shutterstock\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Getty Images A large snow sculpture of a castle](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Shutterstock A large snow sculpture featuring Chinese dragons](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Getty Images An ice sculpture of the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\nThe festival began in 1963 and was interrupted during [China's Cultural Revolution](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-china-36299692), resuming again in 1985.\n\n![Getty Images An illuminated domed ice building](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Shutterstock People walk on an ice bridge lit up in rainbow colours](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Getty Images An illuminated ice tower](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\nIn December, about 300 \"ice miners\", many of whom are construction labourers and farmers, built the festival's towering ice structures.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers build ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers smoke while constructing ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers on scaffolding build an ice structure at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nTo build the frozen city, tens of thousands of ice blocks were prised out of the kilometre-wide frozen river Songhua, which winds its way through Harbin.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker stands on a block of ice block while breaking it into smaller pieces to be used at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, at the frozen Songhua River in Harbin](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nThe blocks were then moved by truck to the festival venue, where they were used to build life-sized castles, pagodas, bridges and even a functioning hotpot restaurant.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers use ice picks to break up blocks of ice](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nIce miner Wang Qiusheng told Reuters news agency why they needed to use ice from the river: \"Artificial ice isn't that thick, and isn't strong enough to stand in the wind.\"\n\nThe workers wore knee-high rubber boots, down jackets, thick gloves and hats with flaps to protect their ears from the freezing temperatures.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker carries a block of ice while building an ice structure](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n\"We come to mine ice at 6am every day,\" Zhang Wei said to Reuters.\n\n\"We need to work overtime sometimes, until 8 or 9pm, even late after midnight.\"\n\nThe ice blocks were laid on top of one another to build walls.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers place an ice block onto an ice structure](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nThe workers then shaped, trimmed and cut them to size with chainsaws, pickle forks and tooth chisels.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker carries a chainsaw while constructing an ice structure](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker uses a chainsaw to carve a block of ice](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nWhen working, the ice miners ate their lunch - a bowl of piping-hot noodles, dumplings or steamed buns - in makeshift canteens made of wooden poles and plastic sheets.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers eat lunch inside a makeshift canteen](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nThe elaborate ice structures are lit up at night in a splendid array of colours.\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers build ice structures at night](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nHarbin Ice Festival runs until 25 February 2021.\n\n![Getty Images A wide view of an ice city at Harbin ice festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\n[In pictures: Stunning ice sculptures at Chinese festival](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/in-pictures-51007094)\n\n[China ignores revolution anniversary](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-china-36299692)\n\n[Photography](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/c77jz3mdmyvt)\n\n***\nRelated\n\n[In pictures: Charity cold water dip and pupils help the homeless](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/clyx3zn3rd1o)\n\n[Big Picture: This week's images from the South](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/ckg1325gz0ro)\n\n[How to get the best view of the Northern Lights in 2026](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/clyzw90xnjzo)\n***\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- 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Source](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/article\/20260128-how-to-make-google-put-trusted-sources-up-top-when-you-search)\n\nCopyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [**Read about our approach to external linking.**](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/editorialguidelines\/guidance\/feeds-and-links)","attrs_readable_markdown":"8 January 2021\n\n**The 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China has opened to visitors, featuring frozen towers, palaces and castles.**\n\n![Shutterstock An aerial view of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival seen at night](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6778\/production\/_116388462_201837da-fa82-4677-9ba1-cadcce4170bd.jpg.webp)Shutterstock\n\nThe festival in Harbin, a city in China's north-east Heilongjiang province, is one of the biggest of its kind.\n\nIt features towering ice and snow structures, and will host activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions.\n\n![Shutterstock An aerial view of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival seen at night](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/CF35\/production\/_116354035_shutterstock_editorial_11679210a.jpg.webp)Shutterstock\n\nWith entry to China restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, domestic tourists are expected to make up the majority of visitors.\n\n![Shutterstock Two people take selfie in front of a snow sculpture](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/F645\/production\/_116354036_shutterstock_editorial_11676939g.jpg.webp)Shutterstock\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Getty Images A large snow sculpture of a castle](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Shutterstock A large snow sculpture featuring Chinese dragons](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Getty Images An ice sculpture of the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\n![Getty Images An illuminated domed ice building](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Shutterstock People walk on an ice bridge lit up in rainbow colours](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Getty Images An illuminated ice tower](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images\n\nIn December, about 300 \"ice miners\", many of whom are construction labourers and farmers, built the festival's towering ice structures.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers build ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers smoke while constructing ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers on scaffolding build an ice structure at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nTo build the frozen city, tens of thousands of ice blocks were prised out of the kilometre-wide frozen river Songhua, which winds its way through Harbin.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker stands on a block of ice block while breaking it into smaller pieces to be used at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, at the frozen Songhua River in Harbin](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nThe blocks were then moved by truck to the festival venue, where they were used to build life-sized castles, pagodas, bridges and even a functioning hotpot restaurant.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers use ice picks to break up blocks of ice](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nIce miner Wang Qiusheng told Reuters news agency why they needed to use ice from the river: \"Artificial ice isn't that thick, and isn't strong enough to stand in the wind.\"\n\nThe workers wore knee-high rubber boots, down jackets, thick gloves and hats with flaps to protect their ears from the freezing temperatures.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker carries a block of ice while building an ice structure](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n\"We come to mine ice at 6am every day,\" Zhang Wei said to Reuters.\n\n\"We need to work overtime sometimes, until 8 or 9pm, even late after midnight.\"\n\nThe ice blocks were laid on top of one another to build walls.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers place an ice block onto an ice structure](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nThe workers then shaped, trimmed and cut them to size with chainsaws, pickle forks and tooth chisels.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker carries a chainsaw while constructing an ice structure](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters A worker uses a chainsaw to carve a block of ice](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nWhen working, the ice miners ate their lunch - a bowl of piping-hot noodles, dumplings or steamed buns - in makeshift canteens made of wooden poles and plastic sheets.\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers eat lunch inside a makeshift canteen](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nThe elaborate ice structures are lit up at night in a splendid array of colours.\n\n![1px transparent line](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)\n\n![Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters Workers build ice structures at night](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins \/ Reuters\n\nHarbin Ice Festival runs until 25 February 2021.\n\n![Getty Images A wide view of an ice city at Harbin ice festival](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	8 January 2021 The 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China has opened to visitors, featuring frozen towers, palaces and castles. Shutterstock The festival in Harbin, a city in China's north-east Heilongjiang province, is one of the biggest of its kind. It features towering ice and snow structures, and will host activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions. Shutterstock With entry to China restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, domestic tourists are expected to make up the majority of visitors. Shutterstock Getty Images Shutterstock Getty Images Getty Images Shutterstock Getty Images In December, about 300 "ice miners", many of whom are construction labourers and farmers, built the festival's towering ice structures. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters To build the frozen city, tens of thousands of ice blocks were prised out of the kilometre-wide frozen river Songhua, which winds its way through Harbin. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The blocks were then moved by truck to the festival venue, where they were used to build life-sized castles, pagodas, bridges and even a functioning hotpot restaurant. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Ice miner Wang Qiusheng told Reuters news agency why they needed to use ice from the river: "Artificial ice isn't that thick, and isn't strong enough to stand in the wind." The workers wore knee-high rubber boots, down jackets, thick gloves and hats with flaps to protect their ears from the freezing temperatures. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters "We come to mine ice at 6am every day," Zhang Wei said to Reuters. "We need to work overtime sometimes, until 8 or 9pm, even late after midnight." The ice blocks were laid on top of one another to build walls. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The workers then shaped, trimmed and cut them to size with chainsaws, pickle forks and tooth chisels. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters When working, the ice miners ate their lunch - a bowl of piping-hot noodles, dumplings or steamed buns - in makeshift canteens made of wooden poles and plastic sheets. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The elaborate ice structures are lit up at night in a splendid array of colours. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Harbin Ice Festival runs until 25 February 2021. Getty Images
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It features towering ice and snow structures, and will host activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions. ![Shutterstock An aerial view of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival seen at night](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/CF35/production/_116354035_shutterstock_editorial_11679210a.jpg.webp)Shutterstock With entry to China restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, domestic tourists are expected to make up the majority of visitors. ![Shutterstock Two people take selfie in front of a snow sculpture](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/F645/production/_116354036_shutterstock_editorial_11676939g.jpg.webp)Shutterstock ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Getty Images A large snow sculpture of a castle](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Shutterstock A large snow sculpture featuring Chinese dragons](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Getty Images An ice sculpture of the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images The festival began in 1963 and was interrupted during [China's Cultural Revolution](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-36299692), resuming again in 1985. ![Getty Images An illuminated domed ice building](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Shutterstock People walk on an ice bridge lit up in rainbow colours](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Getty Images An illuminated ice tower](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images In December, about 300 "ice miners", many of whom are construction labourers and farmers, built the festival's towering ice structures. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers build ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers smoke while constructing ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers on scaffolding build an ice structure at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters To build the frozen city, tens of thousands of ice blocks were prised out of the kilometre-wide frozen river Songhua, which winds its way through Harbin. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker stands on a block of ice block while breaking it into smaller pieces to be used at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, at the frozen Songhua River in Harbin](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The blocks were then moved by truck to the festival venue, where they were used to build life-sized castles, pagodas, bridges and even a functioning hotpot restaurant. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers use ice picks to break up blocks of ice](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Ice miner Wang Qiusheng told Reuters news agency why they needed to use ice from the river: "Artificial ice isn't that thick, and isn't strong enough to stand in the wind." The workers wore knee-high rubber boots, down jackets, thick gloves and hats with flaps to protect their ears from the freezing temperatures. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker carries a block of ice while building an ice structure](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters "We come to mine ice at 6am every day," Zhang Wei said to Reuters. "We need to work overtime sometimes, until 8 or 9pm, even late after midnight." The ice blocks were laid on top of one another to build walls. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers place an ice block onto an ice structure](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The workers then shaped, trimmed and cut them to size with chainsaws, pickle forks and tooth chisels. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker carries a chainsaw while constructing an ice structure](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker uses a chainsaw to carve a block of ice](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters When working, the ice miners ate their lunch - a bowl of piping-hot noodles, dumplings or steamed buns - in makeshift canteens made of wooden poles and plastic sheets. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers eat lunch inside a makeshift canteen](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The elaborate ice structures are lit up at night in a splendid array of colours. ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers build ice structures at night](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Harbin Ice Festival runs until 25 February 2021. ![Getty Images A wide view of an ice city at Harbin ice festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images [In pictures: Stunning ice sculptures at Chinese festival](https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-51007094) [China ignores revolution anniversary](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36299692) [Photography](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c77jz3mdmyvt) * Related [In pictures: Charity cold water dip and pupils help the homeless](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyx3zn3rd1o) [Big Picture: This week's images from the South](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg1325gz0ro) [How to get the best view of the Northern Lights in 2026](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyzw90xnjzo) * - 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Readable Markdown	8 January 2021 The 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China has opened to visitors, featuring frozen towers, palaces and castles. ![Shutterstock An aerial view of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival seen at night](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6778/production/_116388462_201837da-fa82-4677-9ba1-cadcce4170bd.jpg.webp)Shutterstock The festival in Harbin, a city in China's north-east Heilongjiang province, is one of the biggest of its kind. It features towering ice and snow structures, and will host activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions. ![Shutterstock An aerial view of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival seen at night](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/CF35/production/_116354035_shutterstock_editorial_11679210a.jpg.webp)Shutterstock With entry to China restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, domestic tourists are expected to make up the majority of visitors. ![Shutterstock Two people take selfie in front of a snow sculpture](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/F645/production/_116354036_shutterstock_editorial_11676939g.jpg.webp)Shutterstock ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Getty Images A large snow sculpture of a castle](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Shutterstock A large snow sculpture featuring Chinese dragons](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Getty Images An ice sculpture of the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images ![Getty Images An illuminated domed ice building](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Shutterstock People walk on an ice bridge lit up in rainbow colours](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Shutterstock ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Getty Images An illuminated ice tower](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images In December, about 300 "ice miners", many of whom are construction labourers and farmers, built the festival's towering ice structures. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers build ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers smoke while constructing ice structures at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers on scaffolding build an ice structure at the site of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters To build the frozen city, tens of thousands of ice blocks were prised out of the kilometre-wide frozen river Songhua, which winds its way through Harbin. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker stands on a block of ice block while breaking it into smaller pieces to be used at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, at the frozen Songhua River in Harbin](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The blocks were then moved by truck to the festival venue, where they were used to build life-sized castles, pagodas, bridges and even a functioning hotpot restaurant. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers use ice picks to break up blocks of ice](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Ice miner Wang Qiusheng told Reuters news agency why they needed to use ice from the river: "Artificial ice isn't that thick, and isn't strong enough to stand in the wind." The workers wore knee-high rubber boots, down jackets, thick gloves and hats with flaps to protect their ears from the freezing temperatures. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker carries a block of ice while building an ice structure](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters "We come to mine ice at 6am every day," Zhang Wei said to Reuters. "We need to work overtime sometimes, until 8 or 9pm, even late after midnight." The ice blocks were laid on top of one another to build walls. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers place an ice block onto an ice structure](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The workers then shaped, trimmed and cut them to size with chainsaws, pickle forks and tooth chisels. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker carries a chainsaw while constructing an ice structure](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters A worker uses a chainsaw to carve a block of ice](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters When working, the ice miners ate their lunch - a bowl of piping-hot noodles, dumplings or steamed buns - in makeshift canteens made of wooden poles and plastic sheets. ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers eat lunch inside a makeshift canteen](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters The elaborate ice structures are lit up at night in a splendid array of colours. ![1px transparent line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Workers build ice structures at night](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters Harbin Ice Festival runs until 25 February 2021. ![Getty Images A wide view of an ice city at Harbin ice festival](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images
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