Size matters: China sets ’real’ snowman standard and only those 2m tall will measure up

So just how tall should a “real” snowman stand, and how big should his head be?

Well, it seems the standard size has been defined by residents in northern China, who are keen to establish bragging rights for their snowmen over those built over the past week by compatriots living in the south, mainland media reports.

Members of the organising committee of the annual winter festival held in China’s northernmost city of Harbin have offered some useful, light-hearted guidance after the region experienced unusually heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures as a result of the polar vortex sweeping across the country over the past week, Chinanews.com reported on Thursday.

READ MORE: Polar vortex on the move: China’s big winter chill not over yet for the south – including Hong Kong

Members of the committee said that only a snowman standing at least 2 metres tall and weighing more than 250kg could be considered as a “real” snowman.

Moreover, the size of the snowman’s head needed to be the equivalent of 6.5 human heads, the report said.

A snowman’s body must also be able to endure being hit by a car travelling at a speed of 100km/h without suffering any damage, committee members said.

They also said that a real snowman should not melt within two months of being built.