On November 28, as the cold deepened in Changchun's Lianhuashan district, the first glistening block of "emerald ice" was unearthed by an excavator at the traditional ice cellar of Changchun Ice and Snow World. This marked the official commencement of ice and snow sculpting for the seventh edition of the attraction. These ice blocks, preserved through scorching summers, hold the key to constructing a winter wonderland.
"The ice is sourced from Tianding River and the Golden and Silver Lakes of Tianding Mountain," explained a staff member from Changchun Ice and Snow World. Every year in mid-to-late December, when the ice thickness exceeds 50 centimeters, harvesting begins. Workers use specialized tools to cut the ice into standard blocks measuring 1.6 meters long and 0.8 meters wide, which are then transported to the cellar via machinery in a continuous 24-hour operation.
Spanning thousands of square meters, the cellar is crucial for ice preservation. Built using ancient techniques, this underground storage relies solely on thick soil layers and insulating materials to maintain low temperatures without refrigeration. "After filling the cellar with over 80,000 cubic meters of ice, we seal it with layers of straw, thermal cotton, and plastic sheets—like tucking the ice under a thick quilt," said Jiang Licheng, Chairman of Jilin Construction Group. This improved traditional method ensures an ice utilization rate exceeding 80%.
From December to the following November, the ice undergoes an 11-month "hibernation." Even when external temperatures soar above 30°C in summer, the cellar maintains a stable sub-zero environment. The freshly unearthed ice is crystal clear, nearly free of impurities, making it ideal for ice sculpting.
These preserved ice blocks will form the backbone of the attraction's main installations. By mid-December, this frozen kingdom is expected to open its gates to visitors.
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