Bejing residents can enjoy large ice sculptures downtown this year at The New Year Ice Lantern Carnival. Photo: Agencies

For the first time in more than two decades, Beijing residents can enjoy large ice sculptures downtown rather than having to drive a long way to a suburban area to see them.

The New Year Ice Lantern Carnival will be open on Dec 30 and run through Feb 13 at the Beijing Workers Stadium. The ticket fee is 100 yuan ($16) per person and 240 yuan for a package of three tickets.

About 150 craftsmen from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, an area famous for its ice lanterns and sculptures, are making magnificent ice sculptures inside three enormous temporary sheds on the grounds of the stadium. For example, a replica of the Temple of Heaven and a large boat will glitter brightly in the evening thanks to colorful lights inside.

The three sheds, which have an area of 4,000 square meters, can maintain the room temperature of minus 5 C to ensure the opacity and impermeability of the ice.

Visitors can walk inside the ice sculptures of traditional Chinese architecture and take photos of themselves with exciting ice works with themes such as the Olympic Games and Beijing′s local culture.

If you go

5-10 pm, daily, Dec 30-Feb 13. Beijing Workers Stadium, 3 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang district, Beijing.

4006-228-228