Wrap up warm and hurtle back to childhood whatever your age! Harbin in Winter is a magical, a surreal wonderland during the ice festival season and we would love to help you make the most of it.  Here are the best most fun and unique things to do in Harbin during the Ice festival.

1. Enjoy Sun Island Park Snow Sculptures by day and the Ice and Snow World by night.

The best way to make the most of Harbin attractions is to know when to see them at their best! Sun Island Ice park has a stunning and imaginative display of snow sculptures that you can enjoy by day, both inside and outside. Ice and Snow World truly comes to life at night and as many can only brave the cold for so long, we recommend spending the majority of your time after the sun goes down and the spectacular lights go on! They often have shows inside the park, so check out the times on arrival as they may work out well as a way of taking a break from the cold. …Ooo, and watch out for the super fun slides all over the park, these was certainly one of favourite things to do in Harbin.

Check out this post to see How to get to the main event: Snow and Ice World  China, Harbin, Snow and Ice World

2. Saint Sophia Cathedral is Harbin cities most beautiful attraction

This beautiful Cathedral reminds you how close to the Russian boarder and culture you are. It is beautiful by both day and night, but if timing allows, try to be there at night to see it glow and glisten in the crisp winter air. When looking for things to do in Harbin City, you might overlook this one, but don’t it is truly beautiful and worth the little walk away from the river to get there.  You will find it on the corner where Zhaolin Street (Zhaolin jie) meets Toulong Street (Toulong jie).China, Saint Sophia Cathedral things to do in Harbin

3. Try a Harbin beer in the coolest bar in China 

One of Harbin’s best kept secrets is an eclectic cosy hide away named after the artist who runs it. If you’re looking for things to do in Harbin, this one will make you smile from the moment you step in. The Carl Damo Bar has a relaxed ambiance and a good range of drinks, shisha and food. It is the perfect place to kick back and get warm till the next time you venture out.  Just chilling in here is a thing to do in Harbin in it’s self; it’s like being part of a piece of artwork whilst you thaw out after your freezing cold adventures around the other Harbin attractions.

It is tricky to find though, but truly the ideal retreat. Walk to the main pedestrian street and head north towards the river. You should see a burger king on your right. Often, there will be a snow sculpture just in front of the steps to the bar and a nearby bar will be playing music. To get to The Carl Damo Bar you have to follow the steps down. Just one warning; it may not be the best one for kids or the faint hearted as the artwork in the toilet leaves nothing to the imagination. China, Harbin, The Carl Damo Photograph Bar

4. Top of things to do in Harbin: Trying a local frozen milky lolly!?

I know it sounds crazy but surprisingly good, I can actually see why it has become one of the top things to do in Harbin in winter! Naturally, Pete was game for this quicker than me! But I have to say it is strangely delightful and definitely worth a try! They are available all over the main areas and some are plain, some have fruit in, for around 4 RMB (40p 25c) they are worth a whirl.China, Harbin Pedestrian street, enjoying a Frozen milk lolly

5. Scoot round the fringes of the Songhua river on crazy contraptions

This is my personal favourite of the things to do in Harbin during the festival.  Of course we have to say ‘At your own risk’ BUT embrace the fun of these make shift chairs with skis attached, hop on a ringo to shoot down a purpose built ice slide, rent a jeep to skid pan around, or even trek bank to bank across the frozen river. This is by far the most hilarious, heterogeneous display of crazy ideas for making the most of winter! Spectating is genuinely half the fun, just follow the pedestrianised street until you reach the river. China, Harbin, Songhua River

There’s always more, Harbin is full of amazing attractions. These are our recommendation, but there is also a lot impressive stuff going on in Zhaolin Park and numerous shows and expos around Harbin throughout the season; for further in-depth details you can check out the ice festivals site official website  They have some great things to do in Harbin if you are planning to stay a bit longer over winter.

When in the Harbin Ice Festival?

Hosted in Harbin, this Ice festival is an epic display of creativity, crafted from snow and ice that they dig from the Songhua River ready for January 5th each year. You can visit earlier and enjoy attractions either side of the official opening days, but it best to see it during the actually ice festival period.  The dates vary a little from year to year, so please double check before booking anything!  It can be enjoyed by day or night and anywhere between 3 to 5 days is ideal for making the most of this winter wonderland and getting to all the things to do in Harbin.

How much are tickets for China Harbin Ice Festival?

PLEASE NOTE: The discount for getting to Ice and Snow World before midday no longer applies.  

Where can you stay in Harbin during the Ice Festival?

Working out where to stay location wise is key to making the most of things to do in Harbin! If you are visiting whilst the Ice Festival is on you REALLY need to book somewhere in advance.  We left it late a bit late and in the end stayed in the Ibis in the middle of town.  Although it cost more than we usually like to spend, it was a lovely WARM clean option.  Booking has loads of cosy well located accommodation options here.

Affordable Luxury hotel in Harbin

It’s pretty spectacular how much luxury you get for your money at the Shangri La in Harbin! The hotel its self is remarkably lush as you would expect from the Shangri La hotel BUT the epic once in a life time experience is their infinity pool over looking the Songhua River. The rooms typically cost around 1000 RMB (100GB / 140 USD) but can go up around high seasons. If you can afford to splash out, this is the time to do it! This hotel does book up quick around the festival though, so if you like the look of it and it’s still available on your dates, grab a room whilst you can.

Budget hotel in Harbin

Ibis Harbin Central a good budget hotel option in a fantastic location for seeing many of the sites. It is two blocks away from the main pedestrian street that takes you north towards the river and the flood monument. It’s also a couple of minutes from the Saint Sophia Russian Cathedral.

Rooms start at around 240 RMB (24 GBP / 39 USD)

Add: No. 92, Zhaolin Street, Daoli District

Shoe string

Kazy International Youth Hostel is a bargain and also in a great location, very close to the pedestrian street and start at 60 RMB (6 GBP / 10 USD) per dorm bed and 160 RMB (16 GBP / 26 USD) per room.

Add: No. 27 Tongjiang Street, Daoli District

Shoe thread

The North International Youth hostel is a little further out, but is even easier on the budget, starting at 35 RMB (3.5 GBP / 6 USD) per dorm bed and 120 RMB (12 GBP / 19 USD) for a room.

Add: No. 65 DiJie Street, Daoli District.

Where can you eat during the Harbin Ice festival?

There is food and drink everywhere you go in Harbin, the pedestrian area is strewn with options. Both the famous frozen milk lolly and traditional Russian delicacies are must tries for experiencing the area.  Most snacks and drinks are under £1 and expect to pay anything between £2 and £6 for a meal.  Harbin city is a really exciting place to just walk around a choose somewhere you like the look of to eat!

How to get to China Harbin Ice Festival?

There are several ways to get to get Harbin City.  There are bullet trains and numerous overnight slow trains leaving from Beijing daily. You can check out the times here the Chinese railway site before heading down to book in person. You can also fly into Harbin, Ctrip is a good option for booking your flights. Please note the festival is immensely popular with locals, especially around Chinese New Year and you should book as in advance as possible

If you need more details on how to get to Snow and Ice World this post has everything you need to know.

Stupid Scams and Frustrations

When heading to the Ice and Snow World, some taxis will try to take you to a ‘bus station’ where you buy your ticket for both the bus and the park entrance. This is just so they can take a cut and not have to actually take you to the festival. Simply refuse to pay here and insist they take you to the festival or try another taxi. Taxis absolutely are allowed in the park area and can take you straight there!

On your return from Ice and Snow World , taxi drivers are waiting at the exit to hold you to ransom for your return journey.   Unless you’re fine with that, we would strongly advise walking out to the local 2 RMB buses that head back to town and then if needed get a taxi from there. The buses should be very easy to spot, they are usually located to the right hand side as you exit the park. If you are struggling to find it, perhaps ask a few locals till you find some that speaks English.

Looking For Places to Stay in China?

Making the most of your VISA in China is hard work as it is such a HUGE country! Being well planned is supper important if you really want a chance of seeing some of the most epic sites in China. We made a list of some of our favourite places with links to accommodation to get you started. Happy Planning…

Book your stay in Beijing HERE (Bustling capital. Great Wall, Summer Palace, hutongs)

Book your stay in Shanghai HERE  (Pearl of the Orient. Bund river, teahouses & noodles )

Book your stay in Hong kong HERE (Vibrant gem made up islands, high rises beach & jungle)

Book your stay in Xian HERE (Terracotta warriors, ancient walled city & mountain plank walk)

Book your stay in Chengdu HERE (Giant Panda Sanctuary & starting point for Tibet)

Book your stay in Hangzhou HERE (Home of green tea, beautiful lake & trekking routes )

Book your stay in Guilin HERE (Limestone karst hills city with great street food)

Book your stay in Yangshou HERE (Mud caves, light caves, cormorant fishing & bamboo rafts)

Book your stay in Zhang Jie Jie HERE (The Avitar Stone Forest & iconic 24 bend road)

Book your stay in Kunming HERE (Spring city & starting point for Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La)