Harbin in Winter

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang Province in north east China. In recent years, Harbin has been the coolest ice city of China and is well-known worldwide for Harbin Ice Festival in each winter. Harbin is famous for its coldest weather and longest winter among major Chinese cities. Its "Ice City" nickname is well-earned, as winters here are dry and bitterly cold, with a 24-hour average in January of only −18.4 °C (−1.1 °F), although the city sees little precipitation during the winter and is often sunny.

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival

Harbin is the most popular destination for your winter tour in China. In winter, it is the best time to enjoy the area's ice and snow scenery and relative activities, such as skiing, ice lanterns, ice sculpture, snow sculpture and winter swimming, etc. There are also many interesting scenic areas which can let tourists enjoy their snow tour completely, such as Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival which officially starts January 5th and lasts one month, Ice and Snow World, Sun Island, Yabuli Ski Resort, China's Snow Town, Siberian Tiger Preserve and Zhaolin Park, etc.. It is an ideal destination to enjoy the ice and snow culture in northern China.

Making Ice Sculpture at Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival

The reasons for visiting Harbin in winter

1. The magnificent snow culture in winter will enable tourists the unique experience of visiting a different Harbin.

2. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is the largest ice and snow festival in the world.

3. Can experience a lot of ice - snow activities.

Harbin Snowman

Things to do in Harbin

Skiing Fun 

As a potential candidate for the 2022 Winter Olympic, Harbin has a long snowing period and boasts one of the best and largest ski resorts in China – Yabuli Ski Resort. 

Jihua Ski Resort Harbin, China

Enjoy the Fairyland of Ice and Snow

The annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival was officially starts January 5th and lasts one month, ice sculpture decoration technology ranges from the modern (using lasers) to traditional (with ice lanterns).

Harbin Ice and Snow World in the Afternoon

Watch Siberian Tiger 

Siberian Tiger Park is located on the northern side of the Songhua River and neighbors the Sun Island. There are literally hundreds of tigers in multiple huge pens, so it was regarded as “Harbin's must see” by tourists.

Harbin Siberian Tiger Park in Winter

Watch Winter Swimming 

The local people in Harbin will gather in the morning at Songhua River for winter swimming. They drill a hole into the icy river and make a simple swimming pool out of it. After warming exercises, the brave swimmers jump or dive into the freezing water.

Harbin Winter Swimming

Harbin Travel Tips

1. Winter in Harbin uses to be bitter cold, you need to prepare plenty of pullovers, hat, gloves, socks, a good winter boot and a good jacket.

2. The Chinese love fireworks, everyone sets off huge quantities of fireworks and firecrackers before, during and after Chinese New Year. Take great care while you are out walking even on busy city-centre streets. If you are tempted into buying fireworks, make absolutely sure you know how to light them.

3. Keep your camera warm: electronic shutter of the camera below at -20 ° C, the battery is easy to be "discharged", the camera is out of order, and the shutter doesn't work. Besides, you should prepare more batteries in case of battery discharged.

Skating at Harbin Ski Resort China

A wonderful world of ice and snow is waiting for your discovery in Harbin!


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