An iconic giant snowman has returned to delight the crowds in northeast China's Harbin as the city gears up for its peak winter tourism season, with the 19-meter-tall figure appearing larger, rounder and more cheerful than ever.
The much-loved landmark took 11 days to complete, with a team of 64 sculptors and more than 100 workers carving the friendly giant entirely by hand.
Due to limited natural snowfall so far this year, over 3,500 cubic meters of machine-made snow was used to build the figure, giving it a smooth and dense finish.
What started out as an informal creation by local sanitation workers in 2019 has now evolved into an annual crowd-puller that many residents see as the unofficial start of Harbin's snow season.
This year sees the biggest ever edition of the snowman, which has gained huge popularity online, and is viewed as a headline attraction of Harbin’s winter rush.
Its familiar look - a broad smile, red hat and scarf, and heart-shaped buttons - makes the super-sized snowman a must-visit attraction and a perfect photo opportunity for families, couples and tour groups heading to Harbin, which is often referred to as China's "ice city."
Among the earliest visitors to catch a glimpse of the mammoth sculpture was a tourist from southwest China’s Guizhou Province, who arrived just as the final touches were being added.
"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," said the visitor named Zhang Qun.
Harbin has become a major hub in China's booming ice and snow economy, drawing more than 90 million visitors last winter and generating over 137 billion yuan (over 19 billion U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue, representing a 16 percent year-on-year increase.
Iconic giant snowman unveiled in China's "ice city" ahead of winter tourism peak
