Those ice sculptures are in Harbin, China. I stayed there in the winter of ‘76-’77 twice en-route to a field service job hundreds of miles north in Manchuria. That was the COLDEST place I’ve ever to. 40 years ago, Harbin was the most depressing place on earth with the communists firmly in control. Everybody wore dog fur hats and cheap, heavy Mao-style outer coats, either in dark gray or dark blue. There was no joy or happiness there.
It is really refreshing to see these ice sculptures in Harbin. What a change in such a short time when the yoke of tyranny is (somewhat) lifted from people.