Heilongjiang - Harbin Snow & Ice Festival- Checkout China

Heilongjiang – Harbin

Home to the world’s biggest annual snow and ice festival, this is a true winter
wonderland. Harbin, a city with a historic Russian influence, is a
compulsory addition to your bucket list.

Itinerary Highlights

`/ ice & snow sculpture festival`

This is an entire village built out of huge blocks of ice. With changing annual themes, ice artists carve unbelievable structures, and they light up at night!

`/` sun island

An island filled with enormous snow sculptures and slides for all to enjoy – you’ll both be in awe at the artistic capabilities and feel like a kid again.

`/ volga manor`

This is a lovely Russian-themed country village 40 mins out of Harbin. The park is lovely to stroll around with fun snow-related entertainment and even a vodka bar!

`/` saint sophia cathedral

Built by Russians in 1907, the block where you can find the cathedral will make you feel like you’ve left China. Located not far from the main Zhongyang pedestrian street, you’ll be surrounded by Russian food, snacks and architecture.

Suggested Itinerary

Recommended time (3 days)

*NOTE: There are ski fields (Yabuli) and snow villages (China Snow Village), marked on
the map below, a couple hours drive out of Harbin that are worth checking out.

Day 1

Arriving at Harbin Taiping Airport, take Airport Bus 3 to Zhongyang Dajie and cross the road to Zhongyang Pedestrian Street.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
Harbin Sweet Postoffice Youth Hostel

Adjust this itinerary depending on your arrival time.

You want to aim to be at the Ice Festival an hour or so before sunset. Remember, it’s FREEZING outside so you can’t be out for too long at a time.

Getting a taxi is the warmest and easiest option.
~15 mins
~25rmb

Harbin often presents gorgeous sunsets, and as it gets darker, the Ice World transitions to a colourful light show.

The size of the World depends on the success of last year’s tourism. Nonetheless, the sculptures are incredible. There’s also plenty of ice activities.
200-300rmb ticket

Day 2

Wake up and head to Volga Manor. Again, a taxi is the best way.
~35 mins
~60rmb

This place is located in the middle of nothing significant, but it’s worth a visit. Within the park, make sure you see the Vodka Museum with an underground bar. You can get shot glasses made of ice with high quality vodka for 20rmb!

This is an underrated place in Harbin, so taxis are scarce. Speak the security in the entrance carpark to call a car for you.

Head back to town and explore Zhongyang Pedestrian Street. Here you’ll find Russian cuisine, Russian street and building signs, more ice sculptures and Harbin’s famous ice cream.

Walk down the road to Saint Sophia Cathedral. This doesn’t need much time, but it’s a nice structure. The surrounding area hosts more Russian shops.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT
Tatoc

Day 3

The next day, head down to the frozen Songhuajiang River. This is where your throw-back-to-childhood-day begins!

You’ll be greeted with endless games on the ice, including ice skating, snow-mobile pulled inflatables and zorb balls.
~50rmb/activity

Exit the river and you’ll find a castle at Tongjiang Square where the cable-way to Sun Island begins.
80rmb return

When you arrive, you’ll reach the entry gate to buy your ticket.
~200-300rmb

This place is awesome! Apart from impossible jaw-dropping snow sculptures, the park is full of entertainment.

A big plus is that the entry fee includes all the slides and rides inside. You’ll find doughnuts to slide down huge slides, cars pulling dinghies at top speeds AND MORE.

The last cableway is 4:30/5:00pm so be sure to get back in time.