The annual Harbin World Ice and Snow Festival is a really BIG grand event for people all round the world. Being the biggest world ice and snow festival since 1985, this international gala in Harbin is held on 3 main venues for everyone to spend an awesome winter vacation. On the festival occasion, more than 2,000 ice sculptures will be shown at Harbin Ice and Snow World of 600,000 s. q. m. to create an “Ice and Snow Disneyland”, different themed snow sculptures made of 120,000 cubic meters’ snow will be on display on the fairyland-like International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at Sun Island, over 1,500 ice lanterns will be decorated for the traditional Ice Lantern Fair at Zhaolin Park, etc.
This Harbin Ice Festival Tour is best suitable for global travelers who want to join in the 2020 36th Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin at its best time from late December 2019 to February 2020. In these wonderful 3 days, you will appreciate the must-see amazing glittering sculptures at Ice and Snow World and Sun Island, hang around the joyous and colorful Ice Lanterns Fair, have most fun with the interesting sport activities on ice and snow, visit snow-capped city iconic church and exotic Russian architectures, and get the jubilant festive atmosphere to the fullest... Take this tour to make your cool Harbin festival vacation come true!!
(Warm Tip: If you want to attend the Opening Ceremony of Harbin World Ice and Snow Festival and appreciate its fabulous firework show at Ice and Snow World on January 5th every year, you can enjoy the tour around that date.)
Day 1 Harbin Arrival & Harbin
Pick up in Harbin
Ni Hao! Welcome to Harbin, the Capital of Heilongjiang Province, which is well known as the "Ice City" in China. Your local guide will meet you at the arrival hall of airport / railway station. Then you will be escorted to your hotel in downtown Harbin. The rest of today is on your own to explore this city.
Arrival Ideas:
Harbin Taiping International Airport is 41 km’s driving distance from downtown area. It has flights from Beijing (2 hrs), Dalian (1.5 hrs), Qingdao (2 hrs), Jinan (2 hrs), Xian (3 hrs), Shanghai (3 hrs), Chengdu (3.5-4 hrs), Ordos (2.5 hrs), Hangzhou (3 hrs), Guangzhou (4-4.5 hrs), Xiamen (4-4.5hrs), Wuhan (3-3.5 hrs), Sanya (5 hrs) and more destinations in China, and more international cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Moscow, Phuket Island, etc. While Harbin West Railway Station has high speed trains linking Harbin with Beijing (7~8 hrs), Changchun (1 hr), Shenyang (2.5~3 hrs), Dalian (4~5 hrs), Jilin (2-3 hrs), Tianjin (6.5 hrs), etc.
Evening Ideas (Explore on your Own):
In this evening, you can visit Zhaolin Park, one of the 3 main venues of Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, to appreciate the wonderful world largest scale of outdoor ice lantern show. Take a relaxing walk in the “ocean of ice lantern” with over thousand exquisite arts that are totally different every year and feel the joy of the big World Ice and Snow Festival. (Please note: it holds every year from January 5th to the end of February. Please wear warm down coat and shoes when visiting it at night.)
Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern
Day 2 Harbin (B, L)
Sun Island - Siberian Tiger Park - Ice and Snow World
Today, you will begin your fabulous enjoyment of the World Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin officially. First, our guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and escort you to visit the Sun Island Scenic Resort. It is a popular recreational zone with a Russian-style town, some small lakes, exquisite gardens, etc. during ordinary months. But in winter, it becomes a major venue of Harbin Ice and Snow Festival to hold the International Snow Sculpture Art Fair. Walk into this vast fair venue to embrace the incredible “white visual storm” with numerous excellent large artistic sculpture of white snow, including landscape, cartoon, figures, buildings, etc. saying “hi” to you, which really deserves your big thumb-up to the praisable skill of people to make ordinary natural product into such nice masterpiece of art. (You are highly advised to wear sunglasses to visit the Snow Sculpture Art Fair since the glary from sunshine on the snow is really intense.)
Then, transfer by our car to the nearby Siberian Tiger Park, the largest breeding center in the world for endangered Siberian Tigers, which is the largest existing felid so far. More than 1,300 purebred Siberian Tigers are raised in this park. During the visit, you’ll not only pay a safe walk to observe different kinds of tigers (Siberian Tigers, White Tigers, White Lion, Leopard, Liger, etc.), but also take a tourist bus with wire-mesh protection through the park to closely see the tigers and lions and take some photos.
After dinner, you will head to the amazing Ice and Snow World, the highlights of Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, to join in the superb annual carnival of ice. Step into this terrific wonderland to have the best look at all its magical and extraordinary sculptures of ice and snow, the eye-catching ice and snow castle and everything dressed in fascinating neon in red, orange, golden, silver, green, blue, purple, etc. at night. What you see is the real Harbin, the Ice City! If you would like to enjoy the amazing festive atmosphere more, you can extend to experience the world longest sliding, or other winter activities on ice, such as ice maze, ice climbing, skating, etc.
Note: 1) Please wear enough layers of proper clothes and warm shoes to keep you away from the freeze especially when you want to stay here longer to enjoy the beautiful scenery. 2) An indoor Ice and Snow Paradise with smaller scale is built in the scenic area of the Ice and Snow World, and tourists could also enjoy the ice and snow there as well when the festival ends.
Snow Sculptures in Sun Island
Harbin Siberian Tiger Park
Gorgeous Ice and Snow World
Day 3 Harbin Departure (B, L)
St. Sophia Cathedral - Zhongyang Pedestrian Street - Laodaowai - Watch Activities on Ice at Jiuzhan Park - Goodbye to Harbin
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. You will firstly visit Sophia Square to admire the holy appearance of the St. Sophia Cathedral from 1907. This must-visit site is a typical Byzantine architecture with a large green dome and was once the largest Orthodox Church in the Far East. The cathedral is the symbolic architecture in Harbin and at present is used as Harbin Architectural Art Gallery and displays some souvenirs. Remember to take some beautiful photos of its appearance during your visit. Close to the church, you’ll then visit the exotic Zhongyang Pedestrian Street from 1900. Take a leisure stroll along this 1,400 meters long corridor of European architectures to appreciate the 71 precious buildings in different styles with long history standing by, including Renaissance, Baroque, eclecticism, etc. (The Stalin Park is very close to the pedestrian, so if you are interested and time permits, you could walk there to feel the charm of Russian architectures and enjoy many creative artistic sculptures.)
After that, continue to visit Laodaowai, where Harbin originated. This popular featured street block is so far the largest Chinese Baroque street block in China where boasts many meaningful old Baroque styled architectures with rich romantic color from early 20th century. Make some historical walks along those old streets and alleys to appreciate the ancient buildings with western façade but traditional Chinese courtyard and interior design and interesting folk sculptures, and hear the good telling of the old life of Harbin people and history of Harbin in the past 100 years.
Then, make your final experience of Harbin winter with a fun visit to the Jiuzhan Park along Songhua River. Here you will watch some winter swimmers including some elders up to 60-70 years do winter swimming in the so cold water under the frozen water surface, and many people having fun on some interesting activities on ice, such as skating car, sliding, winter fishing, etc. on Songhua River
After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or train station for your flight / train to next destination or home. Service ends!
Holy St. Sophia Cathidral
Zhongyang Pedestrian Street
Songhua River Winter Swimming
Laodaowai Street Block
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2021.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.45. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Hi Rita.
Yes I’m aboard the train for Guangzhou. It was a really great trip. I have recommended my colleagues to visit and to contact you if they do.
Hi Wonder
I hope things are returning to normal for you and that the impact in your business of covid-19 has not been too depressing. Please forgive my tardy response, for which there is no excuse!
I flew from Shanghai to Saigon just 3 days before the flights were banned and managed to spend a great 4 weeks travelling through Cambodia and Thailand as well as re-entering Vietnam in Hanoi and touring back to Saigon for a week returning to UK on 22 February, where I completed 2 weeks of self isolation with my wife. As you will know we have been locked down for 9 weeks now so life is very different to how it was before I left for China back on 12 January! I have inserted my answers to your questions below and hope they are helpful to you.
1. Is your travel consultant of our company fast enough to answer your E-mail and patient enough to answer your questions?
Wonder Wang, at China Discovery, was very helpful and responsive to my questions and needs and I felt supported and safe in a strange land, especially during a period of uncertainty when I lost key documentation and needed to ensure its replacement before I left China, and also during a time when many around us were conscious of the emerging coved 19 pandemic (Mid to late January 2020).
2. How’s the service of the tour guides during your whole tour?
Very attentive and knowledgeable. Maybe it’s my age (67) but at times I found understanding their English a challenge but they were all patient with me and would repeat their explanations when I asked them to.
3. Would you like to recommend our company?
I have no hesitation in recommending China Discovery to anyone looking for a bespoke trip to the land of Wonder that is China.
Thanks again for all you did for me during the China leg of my trip. I had a wonderful time.
Take great care and best wishes
Simon
Hi Zeva,
Thanks for Advise, you also take care of yourself. Hoping we will be in touch, after this episode. You have blessed time, till we contact again.
Bobby
Zeva,
China is still on our list, but not at this time. We have canceled other trips until a later date. I will contact you when we start making our plans to visit China.
Thanks,
Don
Hello Zeva!
Unfortunately, we will not be visiting China this year. We are very sad. Our daughter was working in Shanghai but had to come back to the U.S. so we will not be visiting her there.
If we decide to plan a trip to China in the future we will certainly contact you.
I hope you remain healthy!
Kim
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Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
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Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern
Snow Sculptures in Sun Island
Harbin Siberian Tiger Park
Gorgeous Ice and Snow World
Holy St. Sophia Cathidral
Zhongyang Pedestrian Street
Songhua River Winter Swimming
Laodaowai Street Block
Harbin is suitable to visit all year round, and winter season during November to March is the best time to experience its charm as the Ice City with romantic snow scenery. However, the hot Harbin World Ice and Snow Festival is held usually from late December to late February and even early March, which is slightly different every year. So to have best fun in the big gala of ice and snow, you are most recommended to visit Harbin during December and February.
| Venue | Events |
|---|---|
| Ice and Snow World | - 21st Harbin Ice and Snow World - Open Ceremony of 36th Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - … |
| Sun Island | - 32nd International Snow Sculpture Art Expo - 24th Harbin International Snow Sculpture Competition - 36th Harbin Ice Snow Group Wedding Ceremony - … |
| Zhaolin Park | - 46th Harbin Ice Lantern Art Fair - 34th Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition - … |
Remember to wear much to keep warm! Harbin is located in the very Northeast of China and has severe cold winter with average temperature of -14.2℃ (6.44℉) during that season. To help you keep warm, it is best to wear thick clothes and warm shoes, such as down coat, thick jacket, mouth-muffle, gloves, hat, wool socks, snow boots, etc. Besides, sunglasses are necessary to visit the Snow Sculpture Art Fair at Sun Island.
Since Harbin is the capital city of Heilongjiang Province, it offers a large number of accommodations at different levels, including 5-star international brands, 4-star comfort hotels, budget hostels and inns. You can find one very easy in the city. Usually, for travelers to Harbin, we suggest you arrange your accommodation in Daoli District where offers most of the tourist attractions and that is very close to Sun Island and Harbin Ice and Snow World, convenient places for eating, shopping and entertaining. Besides, Nangang, Harbin West Railway Station and nearby area, and Songbei District are also good places to stay.
We China Discovery have rich experience to provide Harbin tour arrangement and customization services for global visitors. If you are would like to extend your Harbin tour to more attractions, such as the nearby Yabuli Ski Resorts with exciting skiing and other winter activities, China Snow Town with lovely snow sceneries, etc. or more interesting destinations like Jilin, Dalian, Changchun, Shenyang, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Yunnan, etc., please feel free to tell us about your ideas, and our professional travel expert will help you to customize your travel to Harbin and the whole vast China with their knowledge and sincerity!
Harbin / China Snow Town / Harbin
Harbin / Yabuli Ski Resort / Harbin
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