The Harbin Ice-Snow World in Heilongjiang Province has unveiled its crown jewel for 2025: a 24-meter-tall ice castle constructed from 13,200 cubic meters of crystal-clear ice. This architectural marvel, glowing with ethereal blue lighting, has become the centerpiece of Asia's premier winter festival, drawing photographers and travelers from across the globe.
Visitors brave sub-zero temperatures to capture Instagram-worthy moments against the castle's intricate ice carvings, which reflect China's growing cultural tourism sector. Local authorities report a 40% increase in early-winter visitors compared to last year, signaling strong recovery in Northeast Asia's winter travel industry.
The installation forms part of China's strategy to position itself as a year-round tourism destination, with the Chinese mainland's winter attractions gaining particular traction among Southeast Asian travelers seeking novel cold-weather experiences.
