Workers read a blessing at a folk ceremony marking the start of the ice harvest season on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday. (Photos: chinadaily.com.cn)

Workers in traditional local costumes pull the first block of ice from the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday. The folk ceremony marks the start of ice harvest season.

The first block of ice is pulled from the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday. The folk ceremony marks the start of ice harvest season.

Workers in traditional local costumes transport the first block of ice from the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday. The folk ceremony marks the start of ice harvest season.

Workers in traditional local costumes pull the first block of ice from the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday. The folk ceremony marks the start of ice harvest season.

Workers in traditional local costumes pull the first block of ice from the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday. The folk ceremony marks the start of ice harvest season.

Residents and tourists enjoy local specialties after a folk ceremony marking the start of the ice harvest season on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on Monday.

Residents and tourists enjoy local specialties after a folk ceremony marking the start of the ice harvest season on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on Monday.

Residents and tourists enjoy local specialties after a folk ceremony marking the start of the ice harvest season on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on Monday.