I spent three days in Harbin and it completely changed my view on spending because it was just too...
Babes! Just got back from Harbin, and August in the Ice City is so comfortable—neither cold nor hot, and fewer people. Here’s a full 3-day itinerary plus expense details, including an in-depth tour of Volga Manor. Save it now! 💰
First, let’s talk about the total expenses for 3 days (reference) 📊
- Transportation 🚇: Harbin city subway + taxis, about 150 RMB for 3 days; round-trip tourist shuttle to Volga Manor, 50 RMB per person, total transportation 200 RMB per person.
- Accommodation 🏨: Stayed near Central Street, chose “Central Street Express Hotel,” 180 RMB per person per night, total 540 RMB for 3 days, super convenient walking to attractions.
- Tickets 🎫: Volga Manor 100 RMB + Sun Island Scenic Area free + Saint Sophia Cathedral 20 RMB, total 120 RMB per person.
- Food 🍜: Ate Russian and Northeastern Chinese dishes daily, about 300 RMB per person for 3 days, flexible depending on budget~
- Total: About 1160 RMB per person for 3 days, great value for money!
Day 1: Classic City Tour (Food & Sightseeing Edition) 🗺️
Morning: Saint Sophia Cathedral + Central Street
- Saint Sophia Cathedral ⛪: Opens at 8 AM, few people so great for photos! 20 RMB per person to enter inside, see the dome and historical exhibits, sunlight through stained glass is stunning~ Feed pigeons at the entrance (15 RMB per bag of feed), perfect for vintage-style photos!
- Central Street 🛍️: 5-minute walk from the cathedral, stroll among century-old Russian architecture, buy “Madel Ice Pops” (5 RMB each), the vanilla flavor is super rich~
Afternoon: Songhua Riverbank + Sun Island
- Songhua Riverbank 🌊: Take the “River Crossing Cableway” (50 RMB per person), get a panoramic view of the Songhua River, the August breeze is cool and comfortable~ Rent a bike by the river (20 RMB/hour), cycling along the embankment is very relaxing.
- Sun Island Scenic Area 🌿: Free entry! Visit “Sun Stone” and “Clumsy Bear Park,” kids can enjoy the carousel (30 RMB per ride)~
Day 2: In-depth Tour of Volga Manor (A Must-Visit!) 🏰
How to get there?
- Transportation 🚌: Take the tourist shuttle from “Harbin Railway Station,” departs at 9 AM, 1.5 hours to the manor, 50 RMB round-trip per person, remember to book tickets one day in advance~
Must-do activities inside the manor
- Entrance ticket 🎫: 100 RMB per person, includes “Equestrian Show” (one at 11 AM and one at 3 PM), knights dressed in Russian costumes, super cool!
- Petrov Art Palace 🎨: See Russian oil paintings and sculptures, free admission, great for photo check-ins, wearing light-colored clothes increases photo success~
- Horse Riding Experience 🐎: 80 RMB per person, with coach guidance, ride slowly on the manor’s lawn, next to lakes and Russian wooden houses, feels like being abroad!
- Russian Afternoon Tea ☕: Order a set at “Golden Ring Western Restaurant” (68 RMB per person), includes black tea, snacks, and Russian bread, sitting on the terrace with a view is super cozy~
Expense reference
- Ticket 100 RMB + transportation 50 RMB + afternoon tea 68 RMB + horse riding 80 RMB, about 298 RMB per person on Day 2.
Day 3: Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience (Slow Life Edition) 🌿
Morning: Heilongjiang Provincial Museum
- Heilongjiang Provincial Museum 🦕: Free entry (advance reservation required), great for kids to learn! Visit the “Natural Ecology Hall,” see the Northeast Tiger that looks very real~
Afternoon: Chinese Baroque Style Street + Old Daowai
- Chinese Baroque Style Street 🏘️: Free to explore! See century-old Chinese Baroque architecture, perfect for vintage photo shoots~
- Old Daowai Food 🍲: Eat “Zhang Bao Pu” pork rib buns (38 RMB per tray), thin skin and big filling, juicy when bitten! Try “Lao Ding Feng” mooncakes, five-nut flavor is very fragrant, great as souvenirs~
August Harbin Tips 📝
- Clothing 👕: Daytime temperatures around 25°C in August, wear short sleeves + light jacket (cool in mornings and evenings); wear comfortable sneakers, lots of walking daily~
- Sunscreen 🧴: Strong UV rays, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, don’t get sunburned~
- Souvenirs 🎁: Buy “Qiulin Kvass” and “Russian chocolates” (20 RMB per box) on Central Street, great value~
- Reminder ⚠️: Prices inside Volga Manor are a bit high, bring your own bottled water;
Babes! August in Harbin is uncrowded and comfortable, you can visit classic and offbeat spots in 3 days. This guide is tried and true!