How did a snowman casually built by sanitation workers become a heartwarming ritual that draws millions back to Harbin every winter? This story begins with an unexpected moment in the winter of 2019.
That year, a few sanitation workers at Harbin Music Park built a small snowman about 3 meters tall during a break from work. Its goofy and endearing appearance unexpectedly won the hearts of many locals.
This spontaneous love from the public inspired local authorities to turn this accidental warmth into an annual winter promise. The humble snowman evolved from an impromptu creation into a carefully crafted city icon.
Its design became fixed: a red hat, a red scarf, and an always-smiling round face. The craftsmanship improved over time, too—filtered Songhua River water was used to make the snow cleaner and more durable. By this year, the snowman has grown to an impressive height of 19 meters.
What makes this year truly special is the introduction of a "slow livestream." Starting from Dec. 4, people across the country became "virtual supervisors," tuning in daily to watch the snowman grow taller. The construction process transformed into a shared, nationwide "cloud-based creation." People formed an emotional bond with it, like they were protecting a collective masterpiece.
So, what you see is far more than a snow sculpture. For Harbin residents, it's the "old friend" that must appear in every winter family photo album. For visitors, it's the first smiling face that Harbin extends as a warm welcome. Would you like to meet this friend this winter?
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