Ice lanterns bring chills for capital crowds

Beijing does not have a natural climate for ice lanterns. According to specialists from Harbin, the well-known "capital of ice lanterns", the best ice for sculpting should be formed in the natural environment, the thickness should be above 30 centimeters, and the finished works should be kept at a temperature lower than minus 3 C.

So when people at Workers Stadium decided to introduce Harbin's ice lanterns into Beijing at the end of last year, they came across problems like where to find proper ice materials, and how to preserve the finished ice artworks.

If you visit Workers Stadium now, you will see three huge, inflatable tents on the lanes, the longest of which stretches 120 meters. Inside, 34 refrigerating machines are working day and night, trying to maintain a stable indoor temperature of minus 5 C.