Harbin Snow and Ice Festival

Harbin Snow and Ice Festival Overview

Between January and February 2018, Harbin will be holding its annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Harbin delights visitors every year with the largest ice and snow festival in the world, full of beautiful and enchanting ice carvings.

Harbin Snow and Ice Festival

Between January and February 2018, Harbin will be holding its annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Harbin delights visitors every year with the largest ice and snow festival in the world, full of beautiful and enchanting ice carvings.

Touring style - private basis with English speaking guide and driver.

The private tour includes accommodation, breakfast, transfers and tours.

Day 1: Arrival in Harbin

Situated along the border of Russia in the province of Heilongjiang, Harbin sits at a cultural crossroad and is known for its multinational history between the Chinese, Russians, and Japanese.

Take an optional visit to the Japanese Biological Warfare Experimentation Centre where the Japanese used the area to develop biological weapons on human subjects.

Overnight in Harbin

Distance and journey time:

Harbin Airport– Experimental Center 731 (approx. 28km): 50 mins

Day 2: Harbin walking tour:

A walking tour through old Harbin. Located inside the Daoliqu Quarter, start from Stalin Park, set alongside the cafe-lined Songhua River. Proceed to Zhongyang Pedestrian Street to see the 19th-century Russian architectural buildings. Continue onto Tongjiang Road, previously the heart of Harbin’s Jewish community, to visit the Harbin New Synagogue. Continue your walking tour with a visit to one of the most iconic symbols of Harbin, Saint Sophie Church.

Overnight in Harbin.

Day 3: Snow and Ice Festival

Visit the Snow and Ice Festival!

Starting from 5 Jan each year, the Harbin Ice Festival lasts a little more than a month, depending on the temperatures. Themes change each year, with competitors from all over the world bringing their creativity and incredible technical mastery to craft truly mesmerising structures.

Leave with your guide and driver, head to Sun Island (across the Songhua River) to admire the fantastic snow creations. Two hours on foot is ample time to drift from sculpture to sculpture.

Continue onwards to Ice Snow World, where the majority of the ice sculptures are located. While night falls very early in winter (generally between 15:00-16:00), darkness brings out the true magic of the sculptures with multi-coloured neon lights illuminating each individual creation.

Note: Harbin is cold! Temperatures during the Harbin Ice Festival can reach as low as -25 or -30 degrees C.

Overnight in Harbin.

Day 4: Departure from Harbin

Transfer to the airport for departure.