A fantastic fireworks display on the opening day of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2010. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

The 26th Harbin International Ice and Snow festival opens in China's northeastern city of Harbin Tuesday. This year's event surpasses all the previous ones by incorporating international elements into its common activities of ice and snow sculpting and other winter sports.

For instance, Zhaolin Park, one of the major venues for the festival, is turned into a Disney wonderland with ice sculptures of Mickey and his friends from classic Disney animation films. You can take a tour around the ice castles of Sleeping Beauty and have fun sliding down from the top of Aladdin's tower.

Guo Rui, an intern working at the park, says the ice sculptures and complexes are very much enjoyed by young people and children alike.

"Kids like the slides very much and usually they come in the early evening. There are so many people that you have to wait in line to have a try."

Jia Tianming came all the way from eastern China's Anhui Province for the festival. He is impressed by the ice sculptures.

"The ice sculpture of an eagle at the entrance of the southern gate is quite lifelike. I liked it the minute I saw it. There's really no other piece that outshines this one."

The ice sculptures have been created by artists from home and abroad. Many of the works are based on popular images and icons around the world.

Jerry "Ice" Reynolds formerly played for the NBA. During his visit to Harbin, he was attracted by sculptures of the Japanese manga and the video game character Pac Man.

"I've seen many, many sculptures shaped like Pac Man. So I would guess that would be some type of an international thing they are adding into the festival."

Now in its 26th year, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is said to be the oldest festival of its kind in the world. The event will last two months.