Chinese ice sculptors are cool in Texas

HOUSTON - After flying thousands of miles around the globe, China's CA&A Harbin Ruijing Carving Team did not disappoint when it unveiled its ice carving majesty at one of the biggest holiday festivals in Texas.

To the delight of the crowds, 25 ice sculptors from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, carved 136-kilogram blocks of colored ice into whimsical monkeys, butterflies, orchids and more, to create the Ice Land: Rainforest Holiday exhibition at Moody Gardens in Galveston, near Houston.

The inspiration for Ice Land came from the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in China. The Chinese team is led by artist Qiu Guanghui, who has received top honors in international tournaments.