The “City of Ice” has done it again. In a stunning display of winter artistry and engineering, a team of dozens of sculptors has completed a massive, 62-foot-tall (19-meter) snowman along the banks of the Songhua River in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. The colossal figure, which has quickly become the crown jewel of Harbin’s winter season, required a staggering 3,500 cubic meters of machine-made snow to construct.
Bringing this winter giant to life was no small feat. A team of 64 dedicated artists and workers labored for 11 consecutive days in sub-zero temperatures. Because natural snow can be too soft and unpredictable for a structure of this scale, the team utilized specialized machine-made snow, which provides the density and structural integrity needed to prevent a collapse.
The snowman is adorned with classic festive touches—scaled up to match its gargantuan size—including:
An oversized red hat and matching scarf.
Coal-black eyes and a bright orange nose.
Two small “blushing” red hearts on its chest, a signature design choice that has made it a viral sensation on social media.
This giant snowman serves as the unofficial mascot for the world-famous Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Harbin, known for its brutal Siberian winters, has turned its extreme climate into a global tourism draw, attracting millions of visitors annually to see intricate palaces and towers carved entirely from blocks of river ice.
“This isn’t just about size; it’s about the precision of the carving,” said one of the lead sculptors. “At 62 feet, even a small mistake in the foundation could be dangerous. We had to ensure the snow was packed perfectly at every level.” As the sun sets, the snowman is illuminated by floodlights, creating a glowing beacon against the frozen landscape. For the people of Harbin, the landmark is a symbol of resilience and the beauty of the harshest season.
