Performers pose after wushu performance during a dress rehearsal in China’s biggest TV station, CCTV, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

» More: CCTV Spring Festival Gala rehearsals

Pupils of a juvenile calligraph art center create their calligraphic work in Hanshan, east China’s Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2009. Pupils and their teachers wrotes scores of the Chinese characters of ox on a piece of paper which is 12-meter-long and 9-meter-wide, to greet the forthcoming Chinese lunar new year of ox. (Xinhua Photo)

» More: 12-meter-long character of ox

Women make steamed bread at a center for the elderly in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province January17, 2009. Local residents make stemed bread with flower decorations on top of them as gifts for relatives or offering to gods during family rituals during the Spring Festival. [Xinhua]

» More: A week to go to Spring Festival

Workers in ancient Chinese dress decorate the street with mock Tanghulu, a Beijing’s traditional snack made of sugarcoated haws and other fruit on a stick, for the royal temple fair in the Summer Palace in Beijing, Jan. 18, 2009. Visiting temple fairs, or "Miaohui" in Chinese, is one of the most important traditional activities during the Spring Festival holidays.(Xinhua/He Junchang)

» More: Tasting old Beijing in temple fairs

The world economic meltdown is getting the cold shoulder at this year’s ice festival to mark the approaching Chinese new year in Beijing.

The theme this time around showcases a China glittering in prosperity and harmony.

Visitors are flocking to the show to chill out away from the stresses of city life.

SOUNDBITE: Cao Hongkun, visitor, saying (Mandarin):

"When I see these ice sculptures I feel so excited. They represent an upbeat spirit. Even though we’re facing a financial crisis I believe we can overcome any difficulties as long as we stick together."

SOUNDBITE: Wang Wenyi, visitor, saying (Mandarin):

"I’m so happy, it’s so joyful. We’ve come here to relax and looking at these sculptures eases away the stress."

Last year’s theme was the Beijing Olympics.

This time around the emphasis is on sparkling brightly lit traditional buildings.

The Chinese new year begins on January 26th.

Visitors to this exhibition have until then at least before they think about skating on the thin ice of a struggling economy.

Paul Chapman, Reuters