China opened the largest snow castle sculpture in the world to the public on New Year's Day.

Dubbed as the "Crown of Ice and Snow" castle, the 51-meter tall sculpture made of ice is beautifying the Sun Island in Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang province in the northeastern part of China. It is currently standing on the surface of a frozen lake. Combining the artistry of both Gothic and Baroque styles, the newest attraction in the city expands up to 2800 sq. meters. 

Like Us on Facebook

The majestic sculpture was a creation of over 160 artists using 35,000 cubic meters of snow. It holds the distinction of being the highest and largest snow sculpture in the world.

Chief designer Yang Hongwei said that the snow castle was the primary attraction during the 28th Sun Island Snow Expo. It is the center of attention of the European snow town created amid the event, which also displays replicas of the city's train station and a Russian restaurant.

Each winter, Harbin attracts tens of thousands of tourists as the local city hosts different ice- and snow-themed activities. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, which originated from the traditional Ice Lantern Show in 1963, is said to be the first and greatest artwork festival in the mainland. Because of the Cultural Revolution, the celebration was stopped but was later on continued in 1985. Since then, it has been celebrated as a month-long festivity every 5th day of the first month of the year. Gaining not only national popularity but also across the globe.