Harbin Travel Guide: Itinerary, Attractions, Weather, Hotels, Food, etc.

Harbin, known as the "Ice City", is located in northeastern China, in the southwestern part of Heilongjiang Province. As the provincial capital, it serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of northern Northeast China. Harbin is recognized as a historic cultural city in China, a music city of world, and a hub of ice and snow culture in China. It is often referred to as the "Eastern Moscow " or "Eastern Paris", and has been ranked as the top ice and snow tourism city in China. Here is the essential guide for visiting Harbin and how you can make the most of your visit.

Harbin at a glance

Harbin Ice Festival

Harbin is the capital city of Heilongjiang, a province tucked in the northernmost corner of China. This once small fishing village on the banks of Songhua River is now China’s top winter destination. Though most famous for its winter fiesta, the Ice and Snow Festival, you should certainly venture further and discover much more on what Harbin has to offer.

Why visit?

• 1. World's largest Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
• 2. Harbin's Russian and Jewish heritage and breath-taking architectures
• 3. Wild big cats at Siberian Tiger Park
• 4. Easy to travel to Yabuli Ski Resort and China Snow Town

Culture, the charm of the ice city

Abundant Festivals

In the northeastern corner, Harbin stands tall, embodying both Eastern elegance and Western romance. Its streets are wide and ancient, whispering tales of the past. The historic buildings are witnesses to the city’s transformation. Harbin is a city rich in history and culture, with each corner reflecting its profound cultural heritage.

The culture of Harbin is an epic of East-West fusion. From its origins as a fishing and hunting ground during the Qing Dynasty to becoming an international city in the early 20th century, Harbin has undergone remarkable changes, that this blend of foreign influences with local traditions has formed a unique cultural style.

• Harbin culture in detail »

Weather, best time to visit Harbin

New Year Period

The best times to visit Harbin are in summer and winter.

In summer, Harbin enjoys a cool and pleasant climate, making it an ideal destination for vacation and escaping the heat. However, heavy rainfall is concentrated in July and August, so visitors should carry rain gear while sightseeing, and stay away from mountainous areas during heavy rains to avoid flash floods.

In winter, Harbin transforms into a stunning snow-covered wonderland. Despite the cold, the scenery is strikingly different from the southern water towns, with snow-covered landscapes and ice decorations. The unique ice lanterns, rime ice, and various snow activities allow visitors to fully experience the joy that winter brings.

• Harbin weather in detail »

Attractions, what to visit in Harbin

Zhongyang Street

Zhongyang Street/Central Street

This is the most prosperous street in Harbin with a strong exotic atmosphere—you may end up forgetting that you are actually in China. Down the timeworn cobbles walkway, you’ll find endless stream of Neo-Classic, Baroque, Byzantine, Renaissance architectures. Beautiful storefronts, upscale eateries and trendy fashion shops are along the way. This area is absolutely worth a visit after sunset.

Stalin Park

When you walk to the end of Zhongyang Street, you’ll eventually reach Stalin Park which spreads along the bank of Songhua River. It’s worth a leisure stroll. You can participate in some of the winter sports on frozen Songhua River in winter.

Zhaolin Park

Zhaolin Park

A typical scenic park that will turn into ice wonderland every winter during Ice Lantern Festival. Zhaolin Park displays thousands of ice lanterns lit by colourful LED lights that’s no doubt best seen at night.

Sun Island

Sun Island

Often confused with Sun Island Scenic Area on the island, Sun Island consists of Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Scenic Area, Harbin Polar Land and other small gardens and parks. A cable car or ferry ride across Songhua River from Zhongyang Street will take you to Sun Island. It is Harbin's entertainment hub, offering plenty things to do especially in winter. Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival are held in Ice and Snow World and Sun Island Scenic Area. 

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Saint Sophia Cathedral, a former Russian Orthodox church with a Neo-Byzantine green dome built in 1907, is Harbin's most beautiful construction and the city's landmark. It's the largest Orthodox architecture in the Far East. Now it has turned into a museum documenting Harbin's multicultural heritage.

Chinese Baroque

Chinese Baroque

Chinese Baroque Street, also known as Laodaowai, is the old quarter of Harbin--an area of Chinese Baroque architecture and a window into the history of this unique Chinese city. Down the streets lined with timeworn buildings, you can somewhat still find traces of their former glory and magnificence. It's highly recommended to tour Chinese Baroque with a knowledgeable guide, otherwise, these old buildings are just buildings without any stories.

Siberian Tiger Park

Siberian Tiger

Watch a great number of big cats in the wild and you can buy strips of meat to feed them. You'll eventually need around three hours here.

Heilongjiang Provincial Museum

Built in 1906 on the original site of a Russian-style shopping mall. This is a wonderful place to learn about history of Harbin and the region. Highlights of the museum are a few dinosaurs and mammoth fossils, and relics of Tang dynasty.

Confucius Temple

Confucius Temple

Built in early 1900s, this modern Confucius temple is no difference from the rest in China, yet one of the only few Chinese building complex in Harbin. The site houses a minority culture museum. Worth a stop if you have sufficient time. No entry fee required.

Dragon Tower

A steel tower at the heart of downtown area--worth a climb for panorama view of surrounding cityscape.

• Harbin attractions in detail »

Best places to visit around harbin

Volga Manor

1. Volga Manor

A Russian-style forest garden just an hour outside of the city that's worth spending at least 2-3 hours. You can tour this site via bike or cruise during summer and experience skiing during winter.

2. China Snow Town

China Snow Town

Experience China's deepest snow here after seven months of snowfall and a wide range of winter activities such as horse-drawn sleigh rides and snow mazes. This once one-street logging village is a three-hour drive from Yabuli Ski Resort. Take note that the temperature in China Snow Town can fall to 40℃ below freezing.

3. Yabuli Ski Resort

Yabuli Ski Resort

Yabuli Ski Resort is also a national training ground. This ski resort is suitable for both professionals and amateurs from bunny slope to black run and even alpine skiing. You can up your winter vacation with simply a three-hour drive from Harbin.

• Harbin places to visit »

Cultural immersion, various activities in Harbin

Harbin is a unique city that's peppered with Russian and European influence. Discover Harbin's Jewish and Russian heritage as you wonder the city packed with exquisite European style buildings and sample its unique cuisine. Best be accompanied by a professional guide who will take you under the skin of this city rather than a simple shot-and-go trip. You can also join ice fishing with local fishermen at Changling Lake (48 min from down area) which can be once-in-a-lifetime experience. Other hands-on activities such as paper cutting and dumpling making can be other great options. Simply leave us a message via email for any questions or drop us an enquiry form to customise most unique China tour for you.

• Harbin activities to do »

Food, what and where to eat in Harbin

Harbin Dumplings

Part of experiencing the culture is sampling local food. Harbin's gastronomy is heavily influenced by Russian and North Chinese cuisine. Dishes are often meat-based and served large and salty, but definitely worth giving a try.

Harbin Smoked Red Sausage

Some local specialties include pan-fried dumplings, Guo Bao Rou (Sweet Sour Fried Pork Chops), Di San Xian (fried potato, peppers and aubergine in garlicky sauce), Eastern European-style smoked garlic sausage, Russian bread and Modern ice cream.

• Food and Restaurants in Harbin »

Hotels, where to stay in Harbin

Shangri La Harbin

City area: Jingu Hotel (4*), Mercure Harbin Sophia Church (4*), Shangri-La Hotel Harbin (luxury 5*), Sofitel Wanda Harbin (5*).

Others: Yabuli Med Club Resort (luxury 5*), Yabuli International Convention & Exhibition Center (5*); Club Med Beidahu Resort Jilin (5*), Hampton by Hilton Jilin (4*).

It is best to stay near Zhongyang Street in the city's historic quarter. Yet, take note that prices are higher on weekends, public holidays and especially during Ice and Snow Festival.

• More detail: Hotels in Harbin »

Itinerary, how to stay in Harbin

Harbin Itineraries

3-4 days would be enough to tour the city area and surrounding attractions. Below are the number of days needed for some major attractions.

City area (highlights):

1 day= Zhongyang Street + St. Sofia Orthodox Church+ Zhaolin Park + Stalin Park + Chinese Baroque.

Along Songhua River:

1 day= Sun Island + Ice and Snow World+ Harbin Polar Land+ Siberian Tiger Park.

City area (optional):

1 day= Temple of Bliss + Heilongjiang Provincial Museum+ Longta Tower+ Confucian Temple.

Others:

• Volga Manor: 1 day
• Yabuli Ski Resort: 2-3 days
• Erlongshan Ski Resort: 1-2 days (suitable for beginners, 2 hour drive from Harbin)
• Snow Town: 2 days
• Jilin: 1-2 days
• Changbai Shan: 2-3 days (direct flights available from Beijing, Shanghai, Changchun, Shenyang, Dalian, and Harbin)

Combination 1：Harbin-(6 hour drive) - Snow Town-(5 hour drive)-Jilin-(5 hour drive) - Changbai Shan

Combination 2：Harbin- (3 hour drive/1 hour bullet train) -Yabuli Ski Resort - (3.5 hour drive) -Snow Town

Combination 3：Harbin-Yabuli Ski Resort-(4 hour bullet train/ 5.5 hour drive) -Jilin

• Suggestted Harbin Itinerary »

Harbin Winter Tour

Tours recommendations:

• Harbin Ice Festival Tour(4 days) »
• Yabuli Skiing (5 days) »

How to get to Harbin

Harbin is easily accessible from almost anywhere in China, a number of Asian and Western countries.

Plane

Harbin Airport

Fly from some major Chinese cities to Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB): Beijing (2 hours), Shanghai (3 hours), Hangzhou (3 hours), Chengdu (3.5 hours), Shenzhen (4 hours), Guangzhou (4 hours), and Lhasa (7 hours 40 minutes). Direct international flights are available from countries like Russia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US. Though it's advice to make your connecting flight in Beijing for some discount occasionally.

The airport is 38km from the city center (1 hour drive). Airport shuttle bus (dispatch every 30mins) cost about 20 RMB, while taxi ride cost around 200 RMB.

Foreign visitors from 53 qualified countries arriving at Taiping International Airport can enjoy 72 hours visa-free transit and tour within city area without the need of Chinese visa.

Train

There are regular bullet trains from many Chinese cities. It will take you six hours from Beijing and one hour from Changchun. Take a taxi from outside Harbin Train Station to your destination in town or metro line 2 to downtown area.

Bus

Harbin bus station is opposite of train station. Reach Harbin by bus from Jilin (4.5 hours) or Beijing (12 hours), or take the daily service from Vladivostok in Russia (8 hours).

Shopping and nightlife

Shopping

The best shopping option no doubt would be at Zhongyang Street. Or you can explore Russian night markets and huge departmental stores at Gogol Street. Other alternatives are Dongdazhi Street, Hongbo Century Square, and Toulong Street.

Nightlife

Nightlife of Harbin

1. Admire colourfully lit ice sculptures at Ice and Snow World and Zhaolin Park from late December to February.

2. Upscale eateries and stores along Zhongyang Street are definitely worth a visit especially with extra ambience at night.

3. There are number of bars on Gogol Street such as Barbizon Western Food Bar and David's Camp Music Bar.

4. The old quarter of Harbin, Chinese Baroque is another great place to make a pit stop for ample of street food stores and authentic eateries. (Be sure to visit the Russky Vodka Ice Bar that pops up each year in winter.)

5. Enjoy your night at Harbin Grand Theatre with fascinating opera, song and dance, orchestra performances.

Harbin travel tips

Bring spare camera equipment or use gear covers in extreme cold weather. If you're using your phone repeatedly for photo-taking, try to put it somewhere close to your body or stick a heating pack to it. You can also take a freeze proof compact camera along as a backup.

Shorter daylight hours in winter when sun sets at around 16:00 in Harbin. Plan your schedule accordingly.

It's hard to get a taxi during winter months, so you may want to consider private vehicle during your stay here.

ATMs are all over city including 24-hour ones. ATM from Bank of China will cash traveller cheques and a wide range of foreign currencies. It's easy to spot on a side road as you walk up Zhongyang Street.

Bring along power bank and multipurpose power adaptor.

It's important to stay hydrate during dry winter. Thermal flask comes in handy.

Customize Your Unique Harbin Ice and Snow World Tour

If you are interested in one of the Harbin itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Harbin Tour, please visit our Harbin Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

Informative Articles for Your Harbin Trip

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• Top destinations: best places to visit in Harbin
• Travel itineraries: itineraries for your reference
• Local culture: brief history, folk culture, festivals, etc.
• Weather: the best time and seasons to visit Harbin
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• Cultural immersions: activities to spotlight your trip
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• Luxury hotels: best accommodation to stay in Harbin
• Harbin Tours: customized Harbin tours for your reference