Workers in Heilongjiang Province are putting the final touches on "The Fairy Tale Pony Family," a towering snow sculpture marking the countdown to 2026's Year of the Horse at Harbin Ice and Snow World. Standing 10 meters tall and using 5,000 cubic meters of compacted snow, the installation features a family of stylized equine figures adorned with giant saddles and scarves bearing traditional blessings.
Designed to welcome visitors entering the winter attraction, the sculpture will undergo seasonal transformations with new decorative elements during February's Spring Festival celebrations. The project highlights China's cultural fusion of ancient zodiac traditions with modern ice artistry, while reinforcing Harbin's status as a premier destination for winter tourism in Asia.
"This creation bridges our folk customs with contemporary environmental art," said a local cultural affairs representative. "It showcases how temporary installations can create lasting memories for both domestic and international visitors."
The sculpture forms part of Harbin's 2025-2026 winter tourism program, which expects to attract over 2 million visitors through March 2026.
