On December 7, crews kicked off a large-scale ice harvesting operation along the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of the Chinese mainland. Nearly 1,000 workers are descending on the ice each day, cutting clear blocks—locally known as 'tofu blocks'—that will be transported to the park for sculpting.
This operation supports the upcoming 27th Harbin Ice-Snow World. Over the next month, teams aim to harvest up to 10,000 cubic meters of ice daily, ensuring a steady flow of crystal-clear material for the festival's elaborate sculptures and installations.
For travelers and digital nomads, the harvest has become its own winter spectacle, drawing social media buzz and offering a behind-the-scenes look at Harbin's frozen craftsmanship. Organizers are adopting optimized cutting and transport methods to boost efficiency and minimize waste.
With temperatures well below freezing this December, the Songhua River has become both source and stage. As the city transforms these translucent blocks into luminous works of art, visitors from around the globe can soon immerse themselves in one of the season's most captivating winter festivals.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
