The 38th Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo is poised to open, its grounds now populated by towering snow sculptures.

A pair of adorable pandas sit at the front gate of the expo, welcoming visitors from near and far. This 16-meter tall sculpture is based on the two giant pandas "Zhima" and "Zhishi" from the Harbin Sun Island Panda Pavilion.

A giant snowman with a scarlet nose and red scarf, another internet-popular sculpture, waits within the expo grounds. Many locals couldn't wait for the official opening, arriving early to get a perfect shot with him.

The exceptionally hot IP Ne Zha has also found a place at the expo, following the success of the film "Ne Zha 2," which stormed the box office at the start of the year. The blockbuster animation racked up 15.9 billion yuan ($2.2 billion) at the box office, making it the world's fifth highest-grossing film of all time.

Since opening in 1988, the Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo has become a crucial driver of winter tourism and economic growth in the city and the wider region. Alongside Harbin Ice and Snow World and the iconic Central Street, it forms a beacon for ice and snow tourism in northeast China.

This year's expo will feature 260 snow sculptures and an array of winter activities, including a snow-throwing carnival, ice-and-snow study tours, and a stage made entirely from snow.