Harbin Welcomes Winter with Record-Breaking Snow Sculpture
Northeast China's Harbin unveiled its iconic 19-meter snowman on December 16, 2025, marking the official countdown to the city's peak winter tourism period. The colossal figure – requiring 3,500 cubic meters of machine-made snow – now stands as the largest version since its 2019 debut, drawing thousands of photographers and social media enthusiasts to its frosty base.
Engineering Winter Magic
A team of 64 sculptors and 100 construction workers labored for 11 days to create the snowman's signature red-scarfed silhouette. This year's technical innovation saw artificial snow production replace reliance on natural snowfall, ensuring both structural stability and the sculpture's characteristic smooth texture.
From Local Tradition to National Icon
What began as grassroots winter artistry by Harbin sanitation workers has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. The snowman's social media virality now drives significant tourism revenue, with hotel bookings in the region up 40% compared to last December according to preliminary data.
