An ice collector drinks water from the Songhua River. (Photo By Zhang Qingyun / For China Daily)
Each block weighs about 700 kg and it requires a team of four to lift.
Sometimes, freezing water seeps into the workers' shoes, but that is not their only concern.
On Ge Zhaojun's first day cutting ice he fell into the river and had to sit by a fire for a long time before he could get back to work.
It might seem that the drivers of the trucks transporting the ice have it easier, but Yao Qingfeng doesn't think so. "They are moving all the time, but I am just sitting here and freezing," he said.
Despite the hardships, most of the ice collectors, who are farmers ordinarily, treasure the seasonal work.
For Zhao, whose farm only makes him about 30,000 yuan ($4,340) per year, the 5,000 yuan he can earn collecting ice for 20 days each winter is crucial for supporting his family and the education of his 12-year-old son.
This year's festival starts on Jan 5 and is expected to end at the beginning of March, overlapping with the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival.
Just don't expect to see any of the ice collectors there, as most said they couldn't afford the 330 yuan entrance fee.
