[2025 Harbin Attraction] Travel Guide for China Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition (Updated Mar)

Harbin is a city like no other, offering a mix of history, culture and natural beauty. Located in the northeastern part of China, the city is still not very well known in the Western world. Harbin is referred to as the “City of Ice”, and is a city like no other. In winter, the city holds a famous festival, named Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. In this season, the city is transformed into a magical wonderland, with massive ice sculptures that glow vibrant colors at night.

We’ve spend two days in this incredibile place, let me share some experience with you! 🗓️Day one: we arrived by taxi at around 4:30. This day we’ve spent there exploring the evening view and enjoying attractions. I would recommend to enjoy the free attractions that you don’t need to book in advance (like Ferris Wheel and the Slide are very hard to book in the evening and too cold to wait in the line), go to the ice bikes area - there are many attractions that you can enjoy without pre-booking. Also there are many stations to warm up and have a hot tea or hot snack. Walk around and enjoy! Be ready to wait in line for the subway! 🗓️Day 2: We came by the opening hour! ATTENTION! When you scan the ticket you need to go to the app to book the Ferris wheel or the Slide! (You can book only one at the time and you can’t book in advance! At 10:00 you can book the time slot from 10:00-11:00!!! Be aware!) if you don’t know how to do it, come to the stuff for help! Actually the view in the daylight is truly wonderful! After the booked attractions spend the time walking around and enjoying! #harbin #iceandsnow

Travelling for 10 days to Harbin, Snow town village,Yabuli Changbaisan, Yanji,Mohe. Temperature very cold with -1 to - 28 C Deg. Freezing during night time and high peak TianChi Changbaisan. Wonderful experience in negatives C Deg. cold winter, skiing & river rifting.

| How amazing is the Ice City recommended by CCTV? ❄️ CNY 2,000 per person for CNY 3,000 worth of fun | Nanny-level itinerary + guide to avoiding pitfalls 📍 🚩 Landmark Blitz List (5-day in-depth itinerary) 1️⃣ Ice and Snow World (Nighttime is the best!) · 200+ ice sculpture castles 🏰 + 10 exciting ice slides 🎢 · ❄️Key point: Arrive 1 hour before opening to catch the "Ice Crystal Phoenix" light show (Drone shots are amazing!) · 💡Tips: Wear a thick down jacket + snow boots! On-site snow gear rental is CNY 50/hour 2️⃣ Central Street (1,500-meter food street sweep) · Enjoy a Madiel popsicle 🍦 while taking photos from Saint Sophia Cathedral to the Songhua River · 🥢Must-eats: Laochujia Guobaorou (crispy and crumbly), Hua Mei Western Restaurant's Pot-roasted Beef (milky and stringy!) · 🛍️Hidden gem: Kvass ice cream in the backyard of the Education Bookstore (A must-try for the curious!) 3️⃣ Songhua River Railway Bridge (Sunset vibes MAX) · Free entry after 7pm 📸 Sunset on the ice + neon light reflections = Moments-worthy material · ⚠️Note: The river surface is frozen but not a professional venue! Stay safe and only take photos on the bridge 💡 Secret tip: Tell the waiter "I want the crispy version of Guobaorou!" to unlock hidden deliciousness ✨ 🏡 Accommodation Highlights (Best value for money) ✅ Daoli District (Convenient transportation): · Next to Yuanda Shopping Center: B&B above Qiulin Lidoss Red Sausage flagship store (Central Street view from the window) ✅ Songbei District (Best snow views): · Near Ice and Snow World: Sunac Mall Hotel (Guests can enter Sunac Paradise for free to play in the snow) 🚌 Transportation Pitfall Guide 1️⃣ After landing → Take a taxi directly to the city center (approx. CNY 100). It's faster than the subway! 2️⃣ Taking a taxi on icy roads: Clarify the address in advance + surcharge, starting price increases to CNY 12 3️⃣ Night tour of the river bridge: Use a ride-hailing app and set the location to "Songhua River Sightseeing Tower." The driver will automatically take you to the attraction ❄️ Survival Rules (Lessons learned the hard way) · Clothing formula: Fleece liner + wool coat + cashmere scarf (No shivering at -30°C) · Phone protection: Spend CNY 5 on a thermos cup sleeve (Keep it in your pocket) · Hand warmer placement: Stick them on your waist + back of your neck (The key to staying warm all over!) 🎪 Unique Experiences 🎪 Volga Manor: Take a carriage ride through a Russian-style castle + bonfire party in the evening (CNY 80 per person) 🎪 Siberian Tiger Park: Book tickets three days in advance! Watch tigers pounce on live chickens during feeding time (Not for the faint of heart!) 💬 What else do you want to know? 👉🏻 Want to know how to take Instagram-worthy photos at Ice and Snow World? 👉🏻 How to have fun on icy roads? Tap 【Like + Save】 to chat with me anytime～ ❄️📸

Getting There - taxi ( 20 yuan from annaman hotel) Attractions - ice sculpture festival * wear clotch properly and layer up with longjohn* tips : buy longjohn from harbin

My Unforgettable Experience at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival ❄️✨ Visiting the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival was like stepping into a frozen fairy tale! 🏰✨ The massive ice sculptures, glowing in vibrant colours, were absolutely breathtaking. From towering castles 🏯 to intricate carvings 🎨, every corner was a masterpiece. Walking through the icy streets, surrounded by sparkling lights 🌟, felt like magic! The festival isn’t just about the sculptures—it’s full of fun activities! I slid down ice slides 🛷, wandered through snow mazes 🌀, and even enjoyed skating ⛸️. The evening light show was the highlight, turning the entire venue into a glowing winter wonderland 🌈❄️. 🌟 Tips for Future Travellers: 1️⃣ Dress Like an Arctic Explorer: Harbin can be freezing 🥶 (as low as -30°C/-22°F), so layer up with thermals, a heavy coat, insulated boots, gloves, and a hat. 2️⃣ Evening Magic: The sculptures look most stunning when lit up at night 🌌. 3️⃣ Plan Ahead: Spend 2-3 days exploring the festival and nearby attractions like Sun Island Snow Sculpture Expo 🐯 and Siberian Tiger Park. 4️⃣ Book Early: Hotels 🏨 and flights ✈️ fill up quickly during the festival season (January-February). 5️⃣ Stay Warm: Carry hand warmers 🔥 and enjoy hot snacks or drinks 🥟☕ sold at the festival. This festival is not just a destination—it’s an experience that sparks wonder and amazement 🌟. Whether you're travelling solo, with friends, or with family, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is a bucket-list adventure you’ll never forget! 🧳💙 #harbin #snow #travel #staycation #staycation #naturalwonders #thingstodo #familytravel #myitinerary #citydaytours #china #festive #HarbinIceFestival ❄️ #WinterWonders 🌨️ #FrozenFairyTale 🏰 #BucketListAdventures 🌍 #TravelInspiration ✨