Written by Natalia |
Harbin is known as the “Ice City” of China. The average snow season is up to 180 days, so in winter, it becomes a pure world of ice and snow. The magnificent Ice and Snow Festival, varieties of winter activities, characteristic Russian-style architectures and hospitable atmosphere have attracted numerous travelers at home and abroad. So a Harbin tour ranks top in the China tours. Then, what are the important Harbin travel tips? Follow this guide to know the details.
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- Best Time to Visit Harbin: Winter Magic vs. Other Seasons
- Things to Know Before Traveling to Harbin
- How to Get to and Travel around
- Must-Try Harbin Cuisine & Where to Eat
- Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin
- Top Things to Do in Harbin: Must-See Attractions
- Harbin Travel Itinerary Ideas
- FAQs about Harbin Travel
- Unlock the Magic of Harbin with China Xian Tour
Best Time to Visit Harbin: Winter Magic vs. Other Seasons
Winter is undoubtedly the best time to visit Harbin. With abundant activities held in winter in Harbin, you can immerse yourself in the ice and snow world to appreciate the splendid scenery and experience various ice sports. But the weather is very cold and the expenses are higher.
While in spring and autumn, you can watch blooming flowers and golden trees and explore city history and culture leisurely, to visit the Central Street and St. Sophia Cathedral. But the weather is changeable and the temperature differences are big. During the cool and pleasant summer, you can experience outdoor activities, such as Songhua River Night Cruise, picnic in Sun Island and International Beer Festival. However, summer is also the rainy season. Besides, the cost is lower, but tourists can not see the snow landscapes in these three seasons.
Things to Know Before Traveling to Harbin
Harbin Travel Safety Tips
Make adequate preparations before traveling. Learn about information on weather, traffic, passenger flow, local customs and more in advance, and prepare necessary clothes and items. Also, do not use open fire or smoke in the forests and do not enter the unopened or dangerous areas.
- The most important winter travel tip in Harbinis to protect yourself from the cold. So remember to bring enough warm clothes.
- Take care when walking on ice, it is advised to walk slowly with small steps.
- Beware of “snow blindness”and “falling ice from heights”.
- And think twice before participating in high-risk outdoor activities.
Budget Travel Tips for Harbin
For budget travelers, to save transportation and accommodation costs, it is recommended to live in the youth hostel or economic hotel and homestay near Central Street and metro stations, and book in advance for a cheaper price.
As for food, go to the Hongzhuan Street Morning Market and Daoli Market near the Central Street to taste the authentic local food at a reasonable and lower cost.
The Harbin travel tip for transportation is taking the metro for a city tour, which is cost-effective and efficient. The metro lines have covered almost all the major scenic areas in the city. And when travelling between the airport and downtown Harbin, the airport shuttle bus is about CNY 100 cheaper than the taxi.
Time Zone
Harbin is located in the UTC +8 Zone. At a mid-to-high latitude, the daytime duration varies significantly in four seasons. In summer, it is about 15 – 16.5 hours and in winter, it is only about 9 – 9.5 hours. So in winter, except the Ice and Snow World, most main tourist attractions are closed at about 17:00. Metros, buses, large shopping malls and hot restaurants will be closed at about 21:00. Some normal stores may be closed at about 18:00.
What to wear in Harbin in winter & Essential Winter Gears
Wearing Tips
To protect yourself from the extreme cold and large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, layered clothing is the most common tip during Harbin travel. It means wear breathable underwear, thermal clothes, and windproof outwears in sequence, such as quick dry thermal underwear, fleece jackets, thin down liners, woolen sweaters, pants and socks, down pants and a waterproof long down jacket with a down content of about 300g.
As for shoes, waterproof and anti-slip high snow boots or hiking shoes are the most suitable. Other necessary items include a warm hat, a scarf, a pair of thick gloves, masks, hand warmers, sunscreen and sunglasses.
How to Protect Your Electronic Equipment
The extremely low temperatures may cause sudden drops in battery life or even automatic shutdown, as well as damage to electronic devices. So it is advised to place the phone into the inner pockets of your coat to keep warm with body temperature and shorten the usage time when outdoors. Another useful tip is to place a hand warmer on the outside of the pocket where your phone is stored, or near the camera’s battery compartment, that is to say, avoid direct contact. Besides, do not forget to bring a power bank.
Related reading: Where to Stay in Harbin
Where to buy winter clothes in Harbin?
For mid-to-high-end clothes, you can buy them in the Central Street Business Circle and Qiulin Business Circle. For good and inexpensive clothes, the Manhattan shopping mall and Toulong International Commodity City are recommended.
How to Get to and Travel around
Get to Harbin from Beijing
A total of 17 high-speed trains and 17 normal trains run from Beijing to Shanghai each day. And the journey takes about 4.5 – 6.5 hours and 11.5 – 17 hours and costs CNY 600 and CNY 425 for a second-class seat and a soft sleeper, respectively. There are also several direct flights available from 06:30 – 22:30. You will spend about 2 hours and CNY 1100+ for an economy class.
Get to Harbin from Shanghai
There is one normal train and one high-speed train from Shanghai to Harbin every day, which take about 12 hours and 24 hours, respectively. And the cost for a second-class seat and a soft sleeper is CNY 1025 and CNY 734.5, respectively. Besides, plenty of direct flights are operated from 06:30 to 21:30 with a flight time of 2.5 – 3 hours and a ticket price of CNY 1200 +.
Travel around the city by public transportation
When it comes to tips for transportation in Harbin, the subway is definitely the most recommended in winter because it is warm, comfortable and punctual, and covers the majority of main attractions. And the road is usually slippery in winter, so the subway is safer.
The bus network is also extremely dense, almost covering the entire city and making it an economical and practical choice. Taxis and online hailing services are nice choices when you plan to areas not covered by the subway or when traveling in groups, but it may be difficult to hail a taxi in popular areas during winter, snowy days, or peak hours.
From Harbin to China Snow Town
There are direct tourist buses from Harbin to Snow Town, which take about 5 – 6 hours and cost CNY 100 – 120. You can take the bus at Taiping International Airport, West Railway Station and Songhua River Sightseeing Cableway. Or take the high-speed train to Yabuli and then go to the Snow Town by tourist direct bus. This way takes about 3.5 hours and costs CNY 150.
From Harbin to Yabuli Ski Resort
Tourists can travel from Harbin to Yabuli by high-speed train, and then take a bus to the resort. Or take a tourism bus from Harbin Central Street to the resort directly. Another option is to take a shuttle bus to Yabuli first and then transfer to a taxi to the scenic area.
Must-Try Harbin Cuisine & Where to Eat
- Guo Bao Rou:It is a very famous dish in Harbin made of pork, which tastes sweet and sour. After frying, the meat is crispy outside and tender inside.
- Da Lie Ba: A kind of large Russian-style breadwith a crispy crust and a soft interior. Only one bread weighs 2 – 3 kilograms. You can tear it apart and dip it in soup.
- Hong Chang: A smoked red sausagewith features of strong garlic flavor and firm and chewy meat. It can be eaten directly, used in sandwiches, or fried in dishes.
- Di San Xian:This dish is composed of potato, eggplant, and green pepper, which are fried and simmered together, making it very delicious and suitable for eating with rice.
- Tie Guo Dun: The dining experience of this dish is very unique. A large iron pot is embedded in a stove, and people sit around to savor the dish. Chicken, fish, pork ribs, goose, vegetables and corn pancake are simmered in the pot together.
- Ma Die Er Bing Gun: A famous ice cream with a history of over 100 years. It is rich in milk and egg flavor and tastes sweet but not heavy. You can buy it in the Madieer Cold Drink Store on Central Street.
- Tang Hu Lu: A classic street snack in northern China. It is made of sour and sweet hawthorn and fruits coated in a crispy, sweet sugar shell.
- Where to eat: You can try the above dishes in the local restaurants, such as Lao Chujia Restaurant and Eyu Harbor Iron Pot Stew. In the specialty stores of the Qiulin company, Hong Chang and Da Lie Ba are sold. As for Tang Hu Lu, it is commonly seen in street stalls.
Related reading: 10 Must-Try Dishes & Best Restaurants in Harbin
Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin
A common Harbin travel FAQ is when and where the Ice and Snow Festival is held? Usually, the festival lasts from late December to late February. And the main venues include Ice and Snow World, Sun Island and Zhaolin Park. During the festival, you will enjoy a visual feast of various large ice buildings, exquisite ice sculptures, traditional ice lantern art and a dreamy light show. Also, several kinds of ice sports are worth experiencing, like skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and snow tubing, etc.
Top Things to Do in Harbin: Must-See Attractions
Harbin Ice and Snow World: Ticket Tips & What to See
As the world’s largest ice and snow theme park, Ice and Snow World is a must-visit scenic area during Harbin travel, which is like a dreamy castle made of ice and snow. Various magnificent ice buildings and sculptures stand in the park. Plenty of entertainment facilities are also unmissable, such as the exciting long ice slide and romantic snowflake Ferris wheel. In the evening, there are also fascinating music and light shows. To avoid long queuing time on site, it is highly recommended to book the ticket online in advance.
Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Festival: A Dazzling Display
The Ice Lantern Festival here is the birthplace of the Chinese ice lantern art, where various shapes of exquisite ice lanterns are displayed. Combining light with the diverse artworks carved from ice, it creates a crystal-clear and dreamy world. It is usually held from early January to late February.
St. Sophia Cathedral: History and Photography Tips
The Cathedral is a city landmark with a long history and a unique architectural style. It was first built in 1907 and is a typical Byzantine-style building. Now it has been the “Harbin Architectural Art Museum”. So photographers can not miss it.
Zhongyang Pedestrian Street: Shopping & Russian Architecture
Zhongyang Pedestrian Street is full of Russian charm, making it popular among tourists to go shopping, taste delicious food and appreciate the architecture. The street itself is like an open-air architectural museum with many exquisite European-style buildings preserved along both sides of the street, which are featured by various styles such as the Renaissance and Baroque.
Visit the Harbin Siberian Tiger Park
As one of the world’s largest artificial breeding bases for Siberian tigers, the park is home to hundreds of tigers. You can take the sightseeing vehicle to closely observe the tigers in the free-range area and see rare animals such as white tigers and liger in the pedestrian area. There is also a chance to experience the thrill and excitement of feeding tigers through a specially designed iron frame.
Day Trip to China Snow Town (Xuexiang)
Though not in the downtown area, Snow Town is a very popular winter destination in Harbin. The snow there is thick and sticky. After accumulating on rooftops and wooden poles, the cute “snow mushroom” shapes form. Paired with red lanterns, you will feel as if in a fairy tale world. It is recommended to spend an overnight to fully experience the tranquility and beauty of the Snow Town at dusk and at night.
Skiing Near Harbin: Top Resorts like Yabuli
Several top ski resorts are located near Harbin. Offering all kinds of ski trails and well-equipped facilities, these resorts can meet the needs of all tourists, including primary, intermediate and advanced skiers. Among them, Yabuli is one of the most famous and largest ski resorts in China.
Other Fun Activities:
To experience authentic local life, the top option is enjoying ice skating on the Songhua River. You can rent ice skates and ice sleds to fully enjoy the fun of gliding on the natural ice surface. Winter swimming is a very unique winter activity in Harbin. On the banks of the Songhua River, you will see enthusiasts swimming freely in the icy water. Their passion will definitely infect you and remember to cheer them.
Most hot springs in Harbin are natural cold-region hot springs rich in various minerals and trace elements beneficial to the human body. You can enjoy a relaxing time to bathe in a hot spring. There are several hot spring resorts around Harbin for you to choose from, and each has its own features.
Related reading:
Top 15 Places to Visit in Harbin
Harbin Travel Itinerary Ideas
Usually, it is recommended to spend 3 – 5 days in Harbin to feel its charm. A three-day trip allows you to experience the urban charm and some ice and snow activities, while a five-day tour can take you to explore the surrounding characteristic scenic spots in depth.
3-Day Harbin Itinerary
The 3-day itinerary will focus on the most classic and unmissable scenic spots in the downtown area so that you can feel the European charm and ice and snow allure in a short time. Here is an itinerary for your reference.
Day 1: Central Street – Saint Sophia Cathedral – Siberian Tiger Park
Day 2: Ice and Snow World – Zhaopin Park
Day 3: Sun Island
Suggested tour: 3 Days Harbin Winter Tour Package
5-Day Harbin Itinerary
This trip will add more cultural experience and special activities based on the 3-day itinerary, so you can have an in-depth history and culture tour of Harbin.
Day 1: Central Street – Saint Sophia Cathedral – Songhua River
Day 2: Ice and Snow World
Day 3: Sun Island – Zhaopin Park
Day 4: Siberian Tiger Park – Polarland Park
Day 5: Volga Manor
Suggested tour: 5 Days Harbin and Yabuli Ski Resort Tour
FAQs about Harbin Travel
How to survive a Harbin cold in winter?
The most frequently asked question about Harbin Travel is how to prevent the cold? The highly recommended is the layered clothing mentioned above. And remember to prepare oily skin care products, hand cream and lip balm to protect your skin and bring common drugs. It is also advised to go indoors to warm up every half an hour to an hour.
What is the coldest month in Harbin? And what is the best month to visit?
January is the coldest month in Harbin with an average temperature ranging from -15 ℃ to -30 ℃. For beautiful scenery and relative mild climate, December is the best time.
What to buy in Harbin?
You can buy some characteristic local food, such as smoked red sausage. The high-quality mountain delicacies are also popular, including dried goods like black fungus and mushrooms. Tourists also prefer Russian style commodities like Da Lie Ba bread, chocolate, candies, matryoshka dolls and violet gold necklaces, etc.
Where to stay in Harbin?
The area near Central Street is recommended because various scenic spots gather here, and the transportation is very convenient. To tour the ice and snow scenic areas like Ice and Snow World and Sun Island, Songbei District is the best choice. If you plan a side trip to Snow Town or other nearby attractions, live near train stations or in Nangang District.
Is it better to book tickets for the Ice and Snow Festival online, or can I just buy them at the gate?
It is highly recommended to book online to avoid long queuing time on site and save more time for having fun.
Is it possible to visit both Sun Island and the Ice and Snow World in one day? What’s the best way to plan it?
Yes, but the time is relatively tight. So it is advised to visit the Sun Island from 10:00 to 14:00. Then transfer to Ice and Snow World in 30 minutes and have fun there from 14:30 to the closing time.
Is China Snow Town worth the trip from Harbin? Is it a full-day or multi-day trip?
Of course, the snow scenery there is very unique. Snow Town is like a fairy tale world. Thick snow accumulates on rooftops and wooden piles, forming cute “snow mushroom” shapes. Due to the far distance from Harbin to Snow Town, a two-day in-depth trip is more popular among tourists.
I’m not a huge fan of crowds. When’s the best time to visit to avoid the biggest crowds?
Mid to late January and late February are more suitable with fewer tourists.
Unlock the Magic of Harbin with China Xian Tour
As a world of ice and snow in winter, Harbin has attracted numerous tourists every year. But with so many tourist attractions, how to plan a Harbin trip has been a popular question. Our travel agency is experienced in arranging the itinerary based on your demands and preferences. Also, we can assign a guide and a driver to save your time and energy. So contact China Xian Tour to start your tour in Harbin.
