A snow sculpture festival opened in Urumqi, capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Saturday, December 30, to mark the new millennium.

On show were more than 170 snow sculptures which occupy 30 hectares of land. They were divided into nine categories including ancient buildings, world wonders in fairy tales and animals representing the twelve Earthly Branches.

The aim of the activity is to cultivate people's love for nature, enrich people's life and add color to the festival, said the organizer.

(People’s Daily 12/31/2000)