Since 2001, Zhou has spent every winter in Harbin. In 2015, he opened a small decoration company in Changchun.

"I take inspiration from snow sculpture creation and it is well received by my customers," Zhou said. "Even if I can get a decent income from my business, I will never give up my winter date with the city."

During the weeks of the expo, almost all the team members live in the same hotel near the event.

"Most people don't like the cold winter in the northeast, but we all begin to look forward to it starting from late fall," said Dong Di. "We all miss each other after a year apart."

Dong, 35, said it is really different from the life he had as an IT engineer two years ago. "I became an IT engineer at a company in Chengdu after graduating from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2008," he said. "During the day, I sat facing my computer screen for work and to communicate with my colleagues. We seldom joked or chatted."

In 2015, he quit his job and returned to his hometown Harbin. Now he works in a private enterprise that allows him to take time off in winter.

Dong began to participate in the creation of snow sculptures last year. "Although I have only been in the team for two years, the experience feels different from my past jobs. While working outside, we often talk about the changes in our lives and joke freely," he said. "The work is hard, but the mood is quite relaxed."

After finishing the work in Harbin, some of the team members will continue to create ice sculptures in other cities, such as Changchun and Jilin.

"Harbin represents a high standard of snow carving and we have become busier in recent years with the increasing orders," Zhou said. "Although I'm not a Harbin local, I feel proud to represent the city."

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn