How to Enjoy Harbin This Year?

2025-2026 Ice and Snow Season Harbin Ultimate Guide: Check in to the Top 10 Ice and Snow Routes, Enjoy 200+ Exclusive Activities Harbin in the 2025-2026 ice and snow season is built around ten major ice and snow themed routes and over 200 special activities, fully showcasing the romance and passion of the Ice City. This concise guide, covering core attractions, food and accommodation, and practical tips, helps you efficiently unlock the northern winter feast exclusive to this season~ 1. Core Attractions: Three Themes Covering All Ice and Snow Fun 1. Must-Visit Ice and Snow Themes (Annual Highlights) • The 27th Ice and Snow World: When night falls, millions of lights illuminate the giant ice sculpture complex, resembling a dreamy crystal ice kingdom. Experience the thrilling speed of ice slides and the fun exploration of ice mazes—each is worth an immersive experience; • The 38th Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo: Giant snow sculptures dazzle the eyes, with family-friendly snow slides and warm rest areas, allowing you to warm up anytime while playing in the snow; • Also, the 52nd Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Art Festival, Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival with diverse ice and snow projects, and the International Ice and Snow Motor Sports Park’s extreme motor shows keep winter fun varied. 2. European Style and Historical Strolls • Central Street: Walk on century-old cobblestone roads, wander through Baroque-style buildings, and every snapshot looks like a vintage masterpiece. Don’t forget to bite into a refreshing Madieer ice pop on the street; • Saint Sophia Cathedral: The iconic green dome exudes Byzantine style, and the old photos inside the museum hold the past stories of Harbin; • Volga Manor: The reconstructed Russian-style buildings are authentic. Hand-paint Russian nesting dolls and watch folk performances to immerse yourself in Russian romance. 3. Dynamic Skiing Experience • Yabuli Ski Resort: Four professional ski areas with slopes of varying difficulty. Beginners can book instructors to get started, take cable cars to overlook the vast snowy plains, and unlock the speed and passion of skiing; • Convenient Suburban Options: More than 20 ski resorts like Pingshan and Yuquan are located around the city, perfect for time-pressed visitors to easily enjoy “skiing freedom.” 2. Specialty Food: Northern Flavors on Your Palate • Classic Must-Try: Old Chef’s Guobaorou (crispy sweet and sour pork) is crispy outside and tender inside, a genuine Harbin signature; traditional Western restaurants like Huamei and Portman serve authentic Russian borscht and braised beef; • Specialty Snacks: Qiulin Lidaosi red sausage is savory and flavorful, paired with the bubbly Qiulin kvass to refresh and satisfy; Laodingfeng pastries are sweet but not greasy, a top choice for souvenirs; • Winter Exclusives: Frozen pears and frozen persimmons are cool and refreshing, bite through the skin to suck the sweet fruit inside; freshly made candied hawthorn on the street is sweet and sour, a comforting winter snack. 3. Accommodation and Transportation: Worry-Free Planning • Accommodation Recommendations: Prioritize staying near Central Street or Saint Sophia Cathedral for walking access to core attractions, making dining and travel convenient; • Transportation Tips: Use official taxi apps for city travel—convenient and safe; for distant spots like Yabuli and Snow Town, choose tourist shuttle lines or official tour vehicles to avoid delays from last-minute car hunting; • Travel Reminders: It’s recommended to book core scenic spots online in advance to reduce waiting time and make the most of your visit. 4. Practical Tips: Calmly Face the Harsh Winter • Warm Clothing: Winter temperatures often range from -20°C to -30°C. Prepare thick down jackets, windproof coats, anti-slip snow boots, thick gloves, and plenty of warm packs, focusing on keeping your head, hands, and feet warm; • Electronic Devices: Low temperatures can cause phones and cameras to shut down. Bring spare batteries or use insulated bags to protect your devices and avoid affecting your photography; • Event Highlights: During the ice and snow season, there are also ice and snow cultural and art festivals, international fashion weeks, and other special events. Follow official information in advance and adjust your itinerary flexibly according to your interests.