Harbin, China’s famed “ice city”, has unveiled its iconic giant snowman as the city prepares for its peak winter tourism season. Standing 19 metres tall, the cheerful figure appears larger and rounder than ever, delighting locals and visitors alike.

The snowman took 11 days to complete, with 64 sculptors and over 100 workers carving it entirely by hand. Due to limited natural snowfall this year, more than 3,500 cubic metres of machine-made snow were used, giving it a smooth, dense finish.

Originally created by local sanitation workers in 2019, the snowman has become an annual highlight, marking the unofficial start of Harbin’s snow season. Its broad smile, red hat, scarf, and heart-shaped buttons make it a perfect photo spot for families, couples, and tour groups.

Tourist Zhang Qun from Guizhou said, “When we arrived today, it had just been completed. We felt extremely lucky. One must come to Harbin in winter to experience the warmth and hospitality of the people here.”

Source: China Central Television