Situated in Heilongjiang province, Harbin is a popular winter travel destination in China. In this ice city, you can admire ice and snow art displays, participate in exciting winter activities, and encounter diverse cultures. During your China group tours, you will get a unique winter travel experience in Harbin.

Appreciate Ice and Snow Art

Harbin features ice and snow art as its signature winter attraction. Many scenic spots showcase distinctive ice and snow art exhibitions.

Harbin Ice and Snow World

Harbin Ice and Snow World is the most favored attraction for Harbin tours. Founded in 1999, this attraction is the world's largest ice and snow theme park. You can visit this winter wonderland from late December to early March each year. Here, admire spectacular ice artworks, participate in fun ice activities, and watch exciting performances.

The ice sculpture exhibition is the key feature of Harbin Ice and Snow World. Here observe numerous ice sculptures of different sizes and distinctive shapes. As night falls, the ice sculptures become more dazzling when illuminated by the colorful lights. Also enjoy different kinds of recreational activities such as ice slides and snowmobile rides. Besides, watch the ice and snow art parade. The parade consists of several floats decorated with ice and snow elements. The performers do dynamic dances in splendid costumes.

Sun Island Scenic Area

Sun Island Scenic Area lies in in the central part of Harbin city, on the north bank of the Songhua River. This scenic spot is distinguished for its fine landscapes, profuse flora and fauna assemblage, multiple architectural forms and splendid ice and snow culture. Sun Island Scenic Area is one of the key sites for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, hosting grand ice and snow art exhibitions every winter.

Every winter, ice and snow sculptures crafted by artists from all over the world. The Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Exhibition is grand in scale and exquisite in craftsmanship. You can witness different sculpted themes, for instance, cartoon characters, historical figures, modern architecture, and mythic legends. You can also experience spectacular ice lantern art performances. Colorful lights glow on these ice sculptures, forging a fantastical view.

Explore the Local Life

The winter trip to Harbin will take you to experience the lively atmosphere. Strolling through ancient streets and admiring distinctive architectures are both excellent ways to explore local culture.

Pedestrian Zhongyang Street

Zhongyang Street is a century-old commercial street located in the downtown area of Harbin. Along both sides of Zhongyang Street stand numerous European-style buildings in various architectural styles, including Baroque, Gothic and Byzantine. During the Ice Festival, the street will be decorated with wonderful ice and snow sculptures. These diverse statues blend with the surrounding architecture to create a captivating urban landscape.

Zhongyang Street is home to various large department stores and restaurants serving both Chinese and Western cuisine. Here taste authentic Russian-style dishes and the delicious Harbin cuisines. Also savor snacks like Modern ice cream and sugar-coated haws to experience the unique charm of winter travel in Harbin. Besides, you will find specialty shops here, including Russian handicraft stores and Qiulin Food Store.

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Saint Sophia Cathedral was founded in 1907 and has undergone multiple renovations. Today, Saint Sophia Cathedral has become one of Harbin's iconic sites. The architectural style of Saint Sophia Cathedral integrates Russian Byzantine elements with distinctive Russian characteristics. The five golden domed towers of this cathedral are its signature design. Saint Sophia Cathedral's main body is constructed using brick, with a splendid exterior and fine ornamentation.

Upon arriving at Saint Sophia Cathedral, you can view the charming icon murals. Through the photographs on the walls, you can also acquaint yourself with the history of this church and the development of Harbin. After snowfall in winter, a thick layer of snow will envelop the church's exterior wall. Wander through the square in front of the church to admire the enchanting snowy scenery and immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere.

Volga Manor

Volga Manor is a tourist attraction based on Harbin's history and Russian culture. The architectural style of Volga Manor draws inspiration from traditional Russian log cabins, featuring soft lines and vibrant colors. Here, numerous churches showcase the fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles. St. Nicholas Church is one of the core attractions of the manor. The golden dome shimmers in the sunlight, while stained-glass arched windows reflect the sky.

Walking through Volga Manor in winter, you can see snow-covered forests and frozen lakes. And you can learn about traditional Russian dwellings by visiting Russian houses. Here enjoy a cup of hot black tea with honey biscuits. In addition, the winter activities of Volga Manor are also very popular. You can experience ice cycling, riding a bicycle across the frozen surface. Or try the snow tube slide, sitting on a snow tube and hurtling down a slope over ten meters long.

Experience Winter Activities

Harbin winter journey, as one of the top 10 China tours, features winter activities as major highlights. There are numerous resorts here for different visitors.

Yabuli Ski Resort

Yabuli Ski Resort is 193 kilometers away from Harbin City, known as a great resort for skiing lovers. This area boasts a long snow season to provide ideal natural conditions for winter sports. The ski trail system at Yabuli Ski Resort is among the best in China, featuring a complete range of trails from beginner to advanced levels.

Beginners in skiing can learn about skiing skills under the guidance of a coach. And advanced skiers can choose expert trails for a thrilling experience. Yabuli Ski Resort also offers a wide range of recreational activities. You can take part in interesting activities such as ice motorcycles and ice bikes. Also take the cable car to overlook the entire ski resort and enjoy the magnificent snowy scenery around you. Furthermore, there are two large ski equipment stores here, offering over 2,000 sets of high-quality gear. Any skier can find suitable equipment here.

Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival

The Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival is an ice and snow theme park located on the surface of the Songhua River. At this scenic area, you can experience 30 winter activities and participate in fun folk customs. “Joyful Snow Slide” and “Super Ice Slide” are the two most popular attractions here. Ice karting also attracts numerous tourists to experience. This is the only outdoor Bombardier experience site in China, featuring an all-terrain racing vehicle.

At Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival, you can participate in a variety of snow sports, such as snow soccer, snow volleyball and ice hockey. On the western side of the Snow Carnival grounds stands a children's snow slide stretching over 20 meters in length. Children can enjoy the fun of ice slides on four different slides. The scenic area has a lot of shops primarily housed in shipping containers. You can rest, warm up, and enjoy delicious food inside these shops.

Summary

As a famous winter travel destination, Harbin boasts a diverse array of ice and snow artworks and winter activities. While enjoying the fun of winter events, you can also experience the lively local life and learn about local culture.