Excitement builds in Harbin among locals and visitors alike as the opening of the Games approaches. PHOTO BY XINHUA

The breathtaking beauty of the "Ice City", as Harbin is known throughout the world, set the tone for the aesthetic and programming of the entire show, which is sure to leave a profound impression on every spectator, said Sha Xiaolan, chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.

"A series of local cultural elements, folk activities and the city's natural bond with ice and snow, which impressed our crew, will be integrated into the ceremony in a creative way," said Sha, who was also the mastermind behind the highly acclaimed ceremonies for the 2023 summer edition of the Games in Hangzhou.