On December 11, in Harbin, Heilongjiang, the snow sculpture titled "Wukong Returns" at the 37th Sun Island Snow Sculpture Expo is nearing completion.

The sculpture, based on the iconic image of the Monkey King (Sun Wukong), is intricately carved with precise textures, making it lifelike. Standing 20 metre tall—about the height of a six-story building—it required approximately 2,400 cubic metre of snow.

Since the beginning of this month, a team of professional snow sculpture artists has braved the harsh cold to carefully craft the piece on Sun Island. After nearly ten days of effort, the "Wukong Returns" sculpture has taken shape by mid-December.

The snow sculpture depicts Sun Wukong clad in battle armour, with piercing eyes as though descending from the clouds, ready to face new challenges. It captures the Monkey King’s majestic yet dynamic essence.

According to the creative team, they specifically chose the iconic figure of Sun Wukong as the theme not only because he is a representative figure in Chinese traditional culture but also because he embodies courage, wisdom, and an indomitable spirit.

The Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Expo is one of the most renowned ice and snow art events in China and globally. Every winter, ice and snow artists from around the world gather in Harbin to create breathtaking art pieces.

The *"Wukong Returns"* sculpture will be on display at the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Expo until the spring of next year. During this time, a series of cultural activities and interactive experiences will also be held, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of snow art while gaining a deeper understanding of the richness of Chinese traditional culture.