[2025 Harbin ] Travel Guide for Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival (Updated Jul)

Harbin Winter Tips ❄️ Must Pack: Dress Smart, Down coat, Thermal layers, Insulated boots, Scarf, gloves, face mask, Lip balm to fight the dry cold. Best Time to Explore Ice Sculptures Night is magical – Lights transform the entire ground Ice & Snow. Bring your camera for night shots! Don’t Miss the Songhua River Swimmers Watch fearless locals dive into ice-cut swimming holes a wild winter tradition! Booked everything with Trip.com, quick, smooth, no stress! 🧊✨#harbin #winter #china #thingstodo

Harbin, so beautiful from the flight, my expectations were high! When it comes to winter, it's Harbin! The city surrounded by snow and ice sculptures is really beautiful! It's amazing that the wide Songhua River is frozen solid, and the Ice and Snow Carnival, where you can enjoy various attractions on the river, is truly a special experience that can only be had in Harbin! I had a delicious meal at Laochujia, the original Guobarou, and took pictures at Hagia Sophia Cathedral You can also have a fun experience at the clothing store 衣彬之家服装城 in front of Hagia Sophia Cathedral! They sell a lot of winter items at low prices. There were so many things to look at, like cute animal hats and warm padding, that I spent an hour looking around! I recommend this course because the clothing store is right in front of Hagia Sophia Cathedral. #WinterTravel #RecommendedWinterTravelDestinations #PleaseWinter #ChinaTravel #Harbin #OverseasTravel

🌟🌟Itinerary Day 1: Shanhe Tun Iron Pot Stew (Harxi Joy City Branch) Day 2: Volga Manor → Harbin Ice and Snow World → Harbin Normal University Night Market Day 3: Hongzhuan Morning Market → Harbin Daoli Food Market (Dashang Xinyibai Shopping Plaza Branch) → Saint Sophia Cathedral → Church of the Intercession → Saint Alexei Church → Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Printmaking Museum → China Baroque Historic Street → Songhua River Railway Bridge → Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival → Flood Control Memorial Tower → Stalin Park → Zhongyang Pedestrian Street → Zhaolin Park Day 4: China Korean Folk Customs Garden → Xingdou Restaurant (Main Branch) → Liu Jiayuan Korean BBQ (Park Branch) → Service Building Cold Noodles (Yanbian University Branch) → University Town Internet-Famous Wall → Tianchi Square → Muniao Minsu (Yanbian University Internet-Famous Wall Branch) Day 5: Water Market → Zhengtan Fried Chicken (Yanji Branch) → Changbai Mountain Edelweiss Reindeer Park → Yikou Changbai DRINK · Tea · Coffee · Alcohol → Chinese Merganser Park → Little Lion Classmate (Yanji Department Store Branch) → Beauty Pine Aerial Corridor Park → Yunding Market → Qinqin Korean BBQ Day 6: Changbai Mountain North Slope Scenic Area → Changbai Mountain Lanjing International Eco-Exchange Center Day 7: Heping Ski Resort → Guilin Hutong Food Street → Hanting Youjia Hotel (Changchun Hongqi Street Wanda Branch) Day 8: Hongqi Street Route 54 Cultural Tourism Special Train → Zhe You Shan 📍Recommended Check-in Spots: Harbin Ice and Snow World Volga Manor Saint Sophia Cathedral Changbai Mountain North Slope Scenic Area Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Printmaking Museum 📍Important Notes:

Harbin is an amazing place to explore, especially in winter. Here are some experiences you should definitely check out: 1. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: If you’re visiting in winter, this is a must-see. It’s one of the largest ice and snow festivals in the world, with massive ice sculptures lit up at night. The structures range from replicas of famous landmarks to huge, intricate art pieces. 2. Siberian Tiger Park: A unique experience where you can see Siberian tigers in a more natural setting. It’s one of the largest breeding centers for this endangered species, and you can get close views of these majestic animals. 3. St. Sophia Cathedral: This Russian Orthodox church is a beautiful blend of Russian architecture and Chinese culture. It’s a stunning piece of history and also houses a museum now. 4. Zhaolin Park: Another place where you can see ice sculptures, but it also offers a beautiful park setting with frozen lakes during winter. You can enjoy ice skating and even ice fishing here. 5. Central Street (Zhongyang Street): A pedestrian-only street lined with historical European-style buildings. It’s a great place to stroll, shop, and try local foods. Don’t miss out on Russian pastries and the famous Harbin-style hotpot! 6. Harbin Polarland: If you’re a fan of animals, particularly sea life, Harbin Polarland is an awesome aquarium with polar bears, penguins, and other animals from the Arctic. 7. Yabuli International Ski Resort: If you enjoy winter sports, this is the largest ski resort in China. It’s perfect for skiing or snowboarding, with plenty of trails and modern facilities. 8. Songhua River: In winter, you can go ice sailing, ice skating, or even take a ride on an icebreaker ship. In summer, it’s perfect for boat tours and scenic views. The mix of Russian influence, winter wonderland, and local Chinese culture makes Harbin a really unique destination. Are you planning to visit during the winter or another time?#localguides #harbintour

Harbin is an amazing place to explore, especially in winter. Here are some experiences you should definitely check out: 1. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: If you’re visiting in winter, this is a must-see. It’s one of the largest ice and snow festivals in the world, with massive ice sculptures lit up at night. The structures range from replicas of famous landmarks to huge, intricate art pieces. 2. Siberian Tiger Park: A unique experience where you can see Siberian tigers in a more natural setting. It’s one of the largest breeding centers for this endangered species, and you can get close views of these majestic animals. 3. St. Sophia Cathedral: This Russian Orthodox church is a beautiful blend of Russian architecture and Chinese culture. It’s a stunning piece of history and also houses a museum now. 4. Zhaolin Park: Another place where you can see ice sculptures, but it also offers a beautiful park setting with frozen lakes during winter. You can enjoy ice skating and even ice fishing here. 5. Central Street (Zhongyang Street): A pedestrian-only street lined with historical European-style buildings. It’s a great place to stroll, shop, and try local foods. Don’t miss out on Russian pastries and the famous Harbin-style hotpot! 6. Harbin Polarland: If you’re a fan of animals, particularly sea life, Harbin Polarland is an awesome aquarium with polar bears, penguins, and other animals from the Arctic. 7. Yabuli International Ski Resort: If you enjoy winter sports, this is the largest ski resort in China. It’s perfect for skiing or snowboarding, with plenty of trails and modern facilities. 8. Songhua River: In winter, you can go ice sailing, ice skating, or even take a ride on an icebreaker ship. In summer, it’s perfect for boat tours and scenic views. The mix of Russian influence, winter wonderland, and local Chinese culture makes Harbin a really unique destination.

🌟Highlights: There are many must-see attractions in Harbin's main urban area, some of which focus on sightseeing, some on history and culture, and some on ice and snow entertainment. To save time and energy, I have summarized three routes that can be combined. 📆Itinerary 1: Songhua River Line. Take the subway to Renmin Square Station and then head east along Stalin Street. Songhua River Sightseeing Cableway, Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival, Flood Control Monument, Songhua River Railway Bridge. 🌟Highlights: Leisure sightseeing + ice and snow entertainment 📆Itinerary 2: Central Street Business District Line. Take the subway to Shangzhi Street Station, and head north to Harbin Daoli Vegetable Market (Dashang New 100 Shopping Plaza), Saint Sophia Cathedral, Central Street. 🌟Highlights: Landmark photography + shopping and dining 📆Itinerary 3: Harbin Institute of Technology - South Square of Harbin Railway Station Line. Take the subway to Harbin Institute of Technology, and then head to the main building of Harbin Institute of Technology and other school buildings, Harbin Railway Museum, Heilongjiang Provincial Museum, and then turn to Hongjun Street to take photos of the main building of Harbin Railway Station. 🌟Highlights: History and culture + study tour ⏳Duration: Each route takes about 1-3 hours.

After a 10 year stint, finally returned to Harbin. Truly amazing and beautiful to be back to see how much the city has changed with amenities, establishments, attractions and events available for the locals and tourists. Seeing the Ice & Snow World, Ice Sculpture Culture Park, St Sophia's Cathedral, Zhaolin Park, the frozen Songhua River, Chocolate Castle Museum and many more! People were friendly, picturesque Zhongyang Street with the pretty lights, trying out food from stalls, drinks, sausages and the chimney bread. I mainly walked to get to my destinations which was easy to navigate around. Lucky to see snow flurries during my stay too ❄️❄️ Overall, a fantastic and nostalgic stay. Worth going! #harbin #snowscene #iceandsnowworld

First-time in Harbin with my 8-year-old son—an unforgettable experience! Harbin truly is a magical destination, even for young children. From the enchanting ice sculptures to the snowy adventures, it felt like stepping into a winter wonderland. Visiting Harbin has always been a dream for us, and it was everything we hoped for and more. Can't wait to return and create even more memories!

I love to travel.This is my first time traveling in china in the this cold city harbin.Harbin is so good and amazing city but more cold😅.It is better before you come make a proper plans and with proper warm clothes.i love this city i will again come harbin to visit more places because this time i can’t properly visit every places in harbin.#deliciousfood #travel

| Freshly Released: Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival. 🌟 Come to the Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival! The 7th Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival in 2025 will have a trial opening at 9:30 am on December 30, 2024. See the tourists who come here in admiration, and the crowds everywhere on site. Freshly released. 🌟 The address is on the Songhua River near No. 20, Stalin Street, Daoli District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, starting from the Middle East Railway Bridge in the east and ending at Tongjiang Square in the west. 🌟 The theme of the 7th Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival is "Happy Ice and Snow, Dreaming of the Asian Winter Games Together." This carnival focuses on ice and snow and has created many ice and snow entertainment projects, such as the Happy Snow Slide, Crazy Octopus, Ice Cushion Boat, Dragon Boat Parade, Snow Soccer, Curling Competition, and more. 🌟 One-day tour guide: Take Metro Line 3 to Youyigong Station or Zhaolin Park Station ➡️ Arrive at Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival ➡️ Experience ice and snow entertainment projects ➡️ Visit the public welfare activity area ➡️ Harbin city night view

This is the famous attraction in Harbin - Songhua River and Songhua River Bridge. Because the temperature is now 2 degrees, the ice on the Songhua River has begun to melt, and all the buildings for the Ice and Snow Festival have been demolished or melted. The Songhua River Bridge looks like one bridge, but when you get closer you realize it is actually two bridges. The front Songhua River Bridge was built in 1900 for trains, and has a history of more than 100 years. Now it is used for sightseeing and leisure by bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians. A new white bridge has been built next to it, which is used for the current high-speed railway.

Day1: Arrive in Harbin, without a detailed strategy, still discussing where to go first after arriving at the hotel, mainly for fun, play whatever you see 😄 1️⃣ Saint Sophia Cathedral 2️⃣ Central Street 3️⃣ Daoli Vegetable Market Settle down in a hotel near Central Street, Daoli, Saint Sophia Cathedral, and Hongzhuan Street morning market are all within walking distance, making the trip more relaxed and happy! 🏨🚶‍♂️ Day2: 1️⃣ Hongzhuan Street morning market 2️⃣ 731 Troop Ruins 3️⃣ Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No. 6 4️⃣ Music Corridor 5️⃣ Chinese Baroque 6️⃣ China Railway Bridge 7️⃣ Ice and Snow Carnival It is recommended to try the iron pot stew and barbecue, it's really delicious! Experience the atmosphere of the Hongzhuan Street morning market, frozen pears, frozen persimmons, and candied haws must be tasted! 🥢🍢 Day3: 1️⃣ Hongzhuan Street morning market 2️⃣ Sun Island 3️⃣ Ice and Snow World Take the high-speed train to the next stop in the morning, remember to buy tickets in advance! ❄️🌏 🏨About hotels and transportation: 1. Stay near Central Street, Daoli, Saint Sophia Cathedral, and Hongzhuan Street morning market are all within walking distance, which is convenient and time-saving. 2. Although planning to stay in a place with convenient transportation, I found that apart from the places I walked to, all the others were by taxi. With so many beautiful sceneries, I don't want to waste time on the road. 🚗🚇 🍽️About food: 1. It is recommended to try the iron pot stew and barbecue, it's really delicious. 2. Go to the morning market to experience the atmosphere. In fact, the food is not much different for northerners. Frozen pears, frozen persimmons, and candied haws must be experienced! 3. Boxed meals, eaten near Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No. 6, are the kind of one meat and many vegetables for 15 yuan, two meats and many vegetables for 18 yuan, the meat is fixed by the boss, and the vegetables can be eaten at will. 🧥About equipment: 1. Windproof and warm gloves, my own gloves, frozen through, and bought again, 45 yuan/pair, although with touch screen function, but very thick, it is not convenient to take pictures, you can bring a selfie stick, controlled by Bluetooth remote control, taking pictures frozen into🐶. 2. Prepare enough warm baby stickers, the phone will freeze and shut down or lose power in extremely cold conditions, you can stick warm baby stickers. 3. Anti-slip chain 15 yuan/pair, we bought it when we went shopping on the first night, but never used it. When we left, we felt it was cumbersome and threw it directly at the hotel. 4. Dress with warm baby stickers, happy to burst, heat automatically comes up. Warm reminder: Tickets for the Ice and Snow World need to be purchased online in advance, plan your itinerary according to the reserved time, it is recommended to play for a whole day! ❗️❗️❗️The most important thing: Please be sure to arrange half a day to go to 731, that is a place every Chinese should go!

Harbin is really good at making things happen! An entertainment kingdom was built directly on the river, with all kinds of ice and snow activities. When friends from other places come, take them here to play immediately. It is right under the famous bridge in Harbin! The location is very easy to find and very close to the Ice and Snow World. There are even camels to ride on the river! You can also pet snow foxes... but when we went there, the foxes were resting and didn't come out, so we didn't get to pet them. But the other projects were fun. The big slide, bumper cars on ice, snowmobiles, go-karts... even I, a local, was thrilled! I also took a photo with the huge strawberry bear 🐻, which is actually an air mattress that can be pulled by a car and run on the river. Haha, it’s so fun! If you come to Harbin, don't miss this place.