As winter temperatures continue to drop, people in Northeast China are already looking forward to the upcoming ice and snow season.

Construction of the 27th Harbin Ice and Snow World, one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, officially began on Tuesday morning as ice blocks stored for more than 10 months were transported to the park.

A total of 200,000 cubic meters of ice harvested last winter has been preserved throughout the year for the 27th edition of the park, ensuring that the area opens to tourists earlier than usual.

Because man-made ice often contains air bubbles and lacks the strength needed for carving, the blocks used in the park are taken from the frozen Songhua River.

Using a mix of traditional ice-storage methods and modern multilayer insulation, Harbin Ice and Snow World Co created conditions — low temperature, light avoidance, insulation and sealing — that kept the ice from melting even when temperatures exceeded 30 C in the peak of summer.

The first batch of blocks will be used to build the super ice slide and the main tower.

"This winter, we have carefully incorporated suggestions from visitors and netizens, integrating elements of the Great Wall, such as its walls and watchtowers, into the design of the super ice slide," said Cong Peiyu, director of the company's design and research department. "The ice-built Great Wall, a key part of the super ice slide, is grand and visually striking, and will become a new landmark for visitors to photograph and interact with."

In the coming days, about 10,000 construction workers will take on the park's most artistic ice and snow challenge, combining ice, snow, sound and lights.

This winter, the park will expand its area from 1 million square meters to 1.2 million sq m, using more than 400,000 cu m of ice and snow — both record highs.

"To enrich the visitor experience and enhance service quality, the park will introduce new facilities such as a ticketing hall, a snowfield hot spring camp, and new activities including winter fishing, cross-country skiing and snow soccer," Cong said. "An ice and snow stage will be built to complement the Dream Stage, enhancing park performances."

The classic Dream Stage will continue to focus on interactive celebrations, creating an energetic disco-style atmosphere for thousands of visitors.

The newly planned stage will incorporate high-level international performance elements, offering a distinct audiovisual experience.

A grand ice- and snow-themed parade will take place between the two stages, creating a dynamic performance landscape throughout the park.

Meanwhile, park services will be upgraded to offer a more convenient and efficient smart-tourism experience.

More seating areas, restrooms and other public facilities will be added to improve visitor satisfaction.

Despite the upgrades in scale, activities and services, the standard adult ticket price will remain 328 yuan ($46.28), ensuring visitors get to enjoy a richer and higher-quality ice and snow experience at the same price.