The first ice sculpture show in Beijing is underway at Badaling Ice and Snow Exhibition Hall.

It is the earliest display of its kind in Beijing this winter. All the sculptures are made by craftsmen from Harbin in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, which is famous for its ice lanterns and sculptures.

According to officials from Harbin,the ice lanterns and sculptures will be placed at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall every winter.

The present ice show is also the beginning of the Beijing Yanqing Ice and Snow Tourism Festival which runs from December 15 to January 1.

Harbin's ice show will also come to downtown Beijing. Ditan Park (the Earth Park) is site for that display.

Location: under the Badaling Great Wall.

To get there, drive along Badaling Highway.

Chill out, Mongolian style!

The first Mongolian Ice-snow Carnival will be held at the town of Alsan Prefecture from December 10.

Different winter sports will be the main focus of the carnival.

Ice and snow sculptures will decorate this year's event.

Alsan City is famous for its vast green grassland in summer. The snow carnival aims to promote the city's winter tourism.

Set for ski fest

The Second Skiing Festival is underway in Chongli County, Hebei Province and will run until Christmas.

About 270 kilometres northeast of Beijing, Saibei Ski Slopes in Chongli County are well-equipped with advanced facilities. The skiing season here can last four months from December to the following March.

To get the site, take the train at Beijing Yongdingmen Railway Station or bus at Xizhimen to Zhangjiakou City.

You can also drive along Badaling Highway to Yanqing and then via Yanqing-Shacheng-Zhangjiakou-Chongli.

(Beijing Weekend December 16, 2002)