Things are getting pretty crowded at Harbin airport, thanks to the annual International Ice and Snow Festival.

According to a conservative estimate by the local aviation department, at least 60 chartered planes will visit the city during the festival, which runs until the end of next month.

Although visitors from some Southeast Asian countries have cancelled their trips due to the recent tsunami, the number of planes will still be more than double compared to last year.

Most of the foreign visitors will come from Japan, Singapore and Russia, reports the Harbin Daily.

(China Daily January 13, 2005)