The 38th Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo has transformed northern China into a crystalline wonderland, with over 260 frozen artworks completed ahead of its December 2025 opening. Craftsmen from 12 countries have carved 180,000 cubic meters of snow into intricate installations, some towering over 30 meters high.
This year's theme 'Frozen Dialogues: East Meets West' features collaborative works between Chinese sculptors and international artists. Notable pieces include a snow replica of the Forbidden City's Meridian Gate and a modern interpretation of Copenhagen's Little Mermaid statue.
The expo comes as northeast China's winter tourism sector shows 18% year-on-year growth, with hotel bookings in Heilongjiang province up 22% compared to last December. Local authorities estimate the event will attract over 1 million visitors before its scheduled closure in February 2026.
Cultural analysts note the expo's timing aligns with China's push for winter sports infrastructure development following the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The event also serves as a key platform for international cultural exchange, with participating artists from the DPRK, Russia, and Nordic countries.
