A workshop for ice sculptures began operating in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on April 19. It is affiliated with the Harbin Second Vocational School, serving as a practice site for students majoring in ice and snow art.

The school's ice and snow art major is the oldest and largest among all vocational colleges in the country. In 2013, it was approved by the Education Ministry as a special development major, and it has since produced a large number of ice and snow art talents for Heilongjiang and China.

The workshop was created over an 80-day period by a team led by Zheng Jinnan, a famous ice and snow sculptor, using 30 tons of ice. An exhibition hall in the workshop displays more than 10 ice sculptures, including a throne, Alice in Wonderland, Tiao chan, Meng Qi, flamingos, and the pink panther. All the sculptures are illuminated with colorful lights.

The workshop is expected to inspire more people to learn how to make ice and snow sculptures and thereby help develop the ice and snow industry.

The opening ceremony for an ice sculpture workshop affiliated with the Harbin Second Vocational School is held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on April 19. [Photo/chinanews.com]

An ice sculpture of a princess is on display in the Harbin Second Vocational School workshop. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Flamingo-shaped ice sculptures are on display in the Harbin Second Vocational School workshop. [Photo/chinanews.com]