Clockwise from above left: Chinese and international students enjoy the snow at the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Harbin, Heilongjiang. Tan Chau En enjoys the fireworks display at the Harbin Ice and Snow World. Yang Qihang attends the opening ceremony of this year's Harbin Ice Festival. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Before her trip to Harbin in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, 25-year-old Miriam Verzellino from Italy could hardly imagine just how cold it could be in the northernmost place she'd ever traveled to. "I wore about six layers, and finally — I felt too warm!" she laughed.
But it wasn't the cold that left the biggest impression on her — it was the enchanting, snow-covered city.
"I'm from southern Italy, where snow isn't very common," she said. "So, when I saw the entire city blanketed in white, it felt like magic."
Currently studying at the Communication University of China (CUC) in Beijing, Verzellino visited Harbin as part of the second Global Youth Bilingual Broadcast Announcing and Anchoring Contest, organized by CUC. From Jan 2 to 6, more than 20 young people from China, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, and Tanzania explored the city's winter wonderland.
For 19-year-old Yang Qihang, a fellow CUC student, this was also his first trip to Harbin, and he was captivated by its cultural diversity.
"I could really sense the blend of exotic charm here," he said. "Many buildings feature elaborate European-style facades, with classical domes, spires, and intricately carved windows."
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.
Kindness in the cold
Rio Ohori, 20, a Japanese student at CUC, observed that behind this ice wonderland lies the passion and craftsmanship of its locals.
While strolling along Central Street, a historic pedestrian area in Harbin, Ohori came across a craftsman carving a large ice block. Despite wearing gloves, Ohori could feel the biting cold of the ice. But when she asked the craftsman if he was cold, he smiled and said, "As long as tourists like you enjoy these beautiful sculptures, I'm not cold at all!"
This response deeply moved Ohori, especially when she noticed the craftsman's face reddened by the cold.
"The people of Harbin truly want the world to see their city," she said. "Behind the scenes, there are countless workers like him, enduring the cold to create these ice and snow wonders for visitors from around the world."
Another standout feature of Northeast China is the warm hospitality of its people, which left a lasting impression on 22-year-old Tan Chau En, a student from Malaysia.
Visiting such a cold region for the first time, Tan had packed plenty of warm clothing. "But when I got here, I didn't even feel the cold because the locals are so warm," she said.
Tan recalled an incident when she was holding a tanghulu, a candied fruit snack, with her phone tucked under her arm. Due to the many layers of clothing she was wearing, she didn't notice when her phone fell while crossing the street. Fortunately, a group of local girls walking behind her noticed and kindly picked it up for her.
Realizing that Tan was an international visitor, the girls started a conversation, asking how she was adjusting to the local weather and food.
"If I were approached like this in other places, I would usually avoid the conversation. But in Harbin, talking to strangers feels natural. People here are open and friendly — they genuinely just want to chat," Tan said.
Verzellino echoed this sentiment. "I'm a foreigner, but I don't feel like a stranger here because the people are so welcoming," she said.
She also noted that food portions in Harbin tend to be quite generous, often encouraging sharing with friends. "In China, food brings people together with family and friends, which is something very similar to Italy," she explained.
"This is one of the most valuable things — being able to share our food, lifestyles, and experiences with others," Verzellino added. "Through these moments, we learn more about ourselves, our countries, and ultimately, we enrich our lives."
