Shijiazhuang in north China's Hebei Province has opened its first International Sand Sculpture Festival. The event may not take place at a beach, but it didn't prevent international sand artists from showing off their artistic ability and creating intricate and three-dimensional fantasies.

The sand works range from colossal buildings, to humans, animals and fantasy forms. They are all made with only sand and water.

It usually took artists several days of toil to create the more inspired and elaborate works. They say it's always an relaxing experience to create something out of sand and water.

The sand sculptors only create half of the experience, the other half is created by the viewers themselves. Residents in Shijiazhuang has rushed to the venue to catch a glimpse of the transient and temporary works of art.

Sand sculpting originated in North America before it developed into an established form of art in 1980s. During its evolution for nearly a hundred years, sand sculpting steadily gained respectability with its combination of sculpting, painting, architecture, sport and entertainment.

It is a natural human instinct to play with sand, and it is the best way to learn three dimensional sculpting with a free and easy medium that everyone can access, young and old.