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Steam train ice sculpture wows Harbin ice festival
By Zhou Huiying in Harbin
chinadaily.com.cn
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An ice sculpture of a steam train emitting real steam has become a major draw at the 27th Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.
The installation, measuring 42 meters long and six meters high, was built from 2,200 cubic meters of ice. Using low-temperature copper pipes and micro boilers, designers recreated the workings of a steam locomotive. Every three minutes, white vapor rises along the ice carriage, freezing into crystals that catch the light in a faint halo.
The effect is heightened by the sound of an authentic whistle from a 1958 Dongfanghong diesel locomotive, bringing movement and sound to the otherwise static sculpture.
Last Updated: Dec 24, 2025
