Harbin's snowy charm

This diversity was especially evident at the Harbin Ice and Snow World, a renowned theme park and city landmark that showcases spectacular ice sculptures of iconic buildings from around the globe, including the Petronas Twin Towers from Malaysia, the Merlion from Singapore, and the Temple of Heaven from Beijing.

"People in Harbin reinterpret these various cultures and regions through their unique ice sculptures. Walking through the park felt like traveling the world," Yang said.

What impressed Yang most was how seamlessly Harbin has woven its ice and snow culture into everyday life.

Coming from Changsha in Central China's Hunan province, Yang noted that in his hometown, snow often brings concerns about traffic jams and travel disruptions. But in Harbin, locals have turned the harsh winter weather into an enjoyable and embraced part of their lives.

One example is the 18-meter-tall "celebrity" snowman at Qunli Music Park, which attracts many visitors.

Yang learned that this giant snowman was first built in 2019, when sanitation workers, after clearing the snow from the streets, created a smaller, three-meter-high version.

"I can see how much the people of Harbin cherish the snow and celebrate winter in such a romantic way," Yang said.

Li Weixu, 20, shared a similar observation. At the 37th China Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, which opened on Dec 27, he was fascinated by the intricate and delicate snow sculptures.

"The locals even add color or cover the sculptures with velvet cloth, opening up endless artistic possibilities for snow," he said.

Li pointed out that while many high-latitude countries with cold climates have developed bold, forward-thinking cultures, Harbin goes beyond that.

"Here, people don't just endure the cold — they transform the icy world into a lively place, turning the chill into warmth," he explained.

During their trip, students documented their journey through videos with bilingual or even multilingual commentary. They posted these videos on social media platforms both in China and abroad, allowing a wider audience to experience Harbin's ice and snow culture.

"Humans are naturally drawn to beauty, and I believe Harbin's stunning landscapes will attract more international tourists," Li added.