HOHHOT, China, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- An international carnival of ice and snow set off on Saturday in Manzhouli, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, where sportspersons from China, Russia and Mongolia will compete in a series of events.

More than 100 players from the three countries have signed up for the invitational darts tournament scheduled from January 3 to 6 next year. The event will feature steel tip and soft tip competitions, local sports officials said.

Top 16 in men's game and top eight in women's game will be awarded, officials said.

During the two-month carnival, players from both home and abroad will also compete in the billiards, snowfield soccer and ice hockey competitions.

Located on the border of China and Russia, Manzhouli, China's biggest land port, not only connects businesses from the neighboring countries, but also exhibits a strong blend of sports exchanges.