Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is one of the four greatest snow festivals in the world. It always starts in late December and lasts until the end of February. During the festival, exquisite ice and snow sculptures are displayed and visitors can enjoy various entertainment activities.
Before starting your Harbin tour, read on to see the 2027 dates for the festival and the highlights in the three main venues, as well as practical information about itinerary, ticket booking and dressing.
Facts about Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
- Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
- Ticket Price: Free for Zhaolin Park; CNY 330/USD 49 for Harbin Ice and Snow World and Sun Island
- Time of Opening Ceremony: January 5 each year
- Three Main venues: Harbin Ice and Snow World, Sun Island and Zhaolin Park
- Highlights: Snowflake Wheel Ferris, the world’s longest ice slide and ice sculpture complex in Ice and Snow World, giant snow sculptures in Sun Island and ice lanterns in Zhaolin Park
Content Preview
- 2027 Dates & Schedule
- Must-See Venues
- How to Plan a Harbin Winter Tour
- Practical Travel Information
- Travel with China Xian Tour
- FAQs
Harbin Ice Festival 2027 Dates & Schedule
The opening ceremony of Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is usually held on January 5 every year. However, the exact opening dates of the main venues, such as Ice and Snow World, are not fixed.
And the schedule for 2027 Ice and Snow World has not been officially released yet. If you want to add this iconic spot in your itinerary, then we’d encourage you to pay attention to the updates from the official sites before planning your visit.
Experience the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on this 4-day winter tour. Admire international snow sculptures, see Siberian tigers in a semi-natural park, and explore the dazzling Ice and Snow World by night.
The Must-See Venues: A Tour of the Festival
Venue Comparison Table
Venue |
Ticket Price |
Opening Hours |
Highlights |
Best Time to Visit |
Ice and Snow World |
CNY 330 |
11:00–21:30 |
Giant illuminated ice palaces, slides, cultural shows |
Evening |
Sun Island Snow Sculpture Expo |
CNY 330 |
08:00–17:00 |
Intricate snow carvings, competitions |
Daytime |
Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Festival |
free |
10:00–21:30 |
Traditional lanterns, family fun |
Nighttime |
Harbin Ice and Snow World
- Location: No. 1458, Taiyang Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin City
- How to get to: Metro Line 2, Ice and Snow World Station, Exit 3 and 4
Every, the frozen Songhua River may always be the first one to see the coming of the Ice and Snow World, as this is where the wonderland will be built. Harbin Ice and Snow World is the largest attraction of the festival and is often called the “Disneyland of Ice and Snow.”
The whole site can be made of ice and snow, and visitors can enjoy all sorts of activities like ice slides, skating, biking, and international carving shows. You can spend a whole day there, and except for the daytime highlights, the night light shows will make the whole place glow like a fairytale city.
Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition
- Location: No. 3, Taiyang Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin City
- How to get to: Metro Line 2,Sun Island Station, Exit 2 and 3
Sun Island hosts the world’s biggest snow sculpture show, with massive artworks created by teams from different countries.
You may be surprised about how human creativity can turn ice and snow, the natures’ blessings, into that many shapes, for example, sculptures are as tall as buildings with incredible details. The best time to visit is in the daytime, when sunlight brings out the details of the carvings.
Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Garden Party
- Location: No. 41, Senlin Street, Daoli District, Harbin City
- How to get to: Metro Line 3, Zhaolin Park Station, Exit 1
Zhaolin Park is the birthplace of the Harbin Ice Festival and here you can have a profound understanding of traditional ice lanterns.
The park is in a strong festive atmosphere, and it’s filled with glowing lights, smaller sculptures. Families and children can found this place extremely rewarding, as it can be a cozy and quieter place to spend a family time.
Related reading: Popular Winter Festivals and Events in China
Experience Harbin, China's Ice City, on this 3-day group tour featuring the spectacular Ice and Snow World, Siberian tigers, and Russian-inspired architecture.
How to Plan a Harbin Winter Tour
Beyond the ice sculptures, a wide variety of winter activities are also available during the festival, such as winter swimming competition, ice hockey game, etc. Other recommended winter attractions in Harbin include St. Sophia Cathedral and Central Street, etc.
To include the three main venues and other popular tourist attractions in downtown Harbin, 3 days is an ideal period. But if you want to visit scenic spots relatively far from the city, such as Yabuli Ski Resort and China Snow Town, leave another 1 – 2 days.
Day 1: Harbin arrival – Zhaolin Park
Day 2 – 3: Drive to China Snow Town
Day 4: Sun Island – Siberian Tiger Park – Ice and Snow World
Day 5: St. Sophia Cathedral – Central Street – Laodaowai Historic District – Jiuzhan Park
Journey from Harbin's ice lantern magic to China Snow Town's dreamlike snow mushrooms and sunrise at Yangcaoshan Hill.
Practical Travel Information for Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Ticket Booking
Among the three venues, Harbin Ice and Snow World is the most popular attraction and requires early reservation. The WeChat official mini-program “哈尔滨冰雪大世界” offers ticket-booking services. The tickets are usually released one week in advance.
As for Sun Island, it is enough to book the ticket 3 – 5 days earlier. The reservation for Zhaolin Park is the easiest, you can book one day in advance.
Tips: The world’s longest ice slide in Ice and Snow World requires additional reservation through the WeChat official mini-program after you check the entrance ticket.
Best Time to Visit
As the unique ice and snow festival, there is no denying that the best time to visit it is winter from late December to early February. And the golden travel window is January 10 – 20, as most ice and snow sculptures have been completed while the crowds from New Year’s Day and other public holidays have already eased.
Tips: Visitors had better avoid the New Year’s Day (January 1 – 3) and Spring Festival (about February 6 – 12, 2027), because many Chinese citizens choose to travel during holidays. As a result, the attractions are overcrowded and traffic jams are common.
What to Wear: Staying Warm in the Extreme Cold
Temperatures can drop to -20°C (-4°F) or lower. Dress in:
- Thermal underwear and sweaters
- Waterproof down jacket
- Insulated boots with anti-slip soles
- Gloves, hats, scarves, and heat packs
Learn more advice and tips on how to keep warm in Harbin in winter.
Travel from Beijing's imperial treasures to Harbin's legendary Ice and Snow Festival, featuring the world's largest snow sculptures and dazzling ice lantern shows.
Contact China Xian Tour to Arrange Your Perfect Harbin Tour
Visiting the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival will give an once-in-a-lifetime experience. Beyond dream-like wonderlands built up from ice and snow, Harbin is also rich in historical and cultural heritage.
To make the most of your trip, we recommend you to travel with China Xian Tour. Our travel experts will customize the itinerary based on your preferences and provide 24-hour support from start to finish. A completely worry-free tour can be enjoyed. Just contact us now.
FAQs about the Harbin Ice Festival
How cold does it get during the Harbin Ice Festival?
It often ranges from -14°C to -20°C (7°F to -4°F), and the nights can be even colder.
Is the Harbin Snow Festival suitable for children and families?
Yes. There are many family-friendly activities arranged in all the venues.
Can I visit all festival venues in one day?
Technically, it is feasible. But the visit can be rushed. It’s better to spend 2–3 days.
How do I get to Harbin from Beijing or Shanghai?
- From Beijing: High-speed trains take about 5–6 hours.
- From Shanghai: High-speed trains take 8–10 hours, or fly in about 3 hours
