Once you've fought with all the layers, it's time to brave the cold and see the influence Russia brough to this very northern city. It quickly manifests itself in a disused Cathedral that houses oddly lit religious art:
And old paved roads in the city centre are dotted with ice--slides, sculptures, anything you could imagine:
Close up:
Outside, you still bundle up and huddle for warmth:
Because China is a genius for its knock-off products, this restaurant is actually packed to the rafters. Who needs Nando's when Nanbo's will do?
On to Stalin Park and the frozen river that hosts an amusement park of sorts. Ice swimming, sledding across the river banks, even a ferris wheel dots the landscape:
Sled dogs!
Bumper sledding:
And for the main attraction, you head to the Ice Festival at Sunset:
And are greeted with a veritable world of iconic buildings made entirely out of bricks of ice:
It's colourful:
Hagia Sophia:
Taipei:
St. Basil's Cathedral:
From time to time you check that you can still feel your hands:
Ganesh, made of ice:
And glimpse the world below:
No visit would be complete without the Great Wall of Snow:
And dancing in the shadows:
Seriously, China on crack.
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