6 Days Beijing Harbin Tour in Winter: Beijing Great Wall Meets Harbin Ice Festival

Nihao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Beijing, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Beijing. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.

Arrival Ideas:

Beijing is well connected by air and high speed rail. There are two airports - Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport operating many international and domestic airlines. Travelers can go to Beijing by air from most cities of China, like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xian, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, Guiyang, Chongqing, and Lanzhou. In addition, travelers can take the high speed train to Beijing from Xian (4-5 hours), Shanghai (4.5-6 hours), Zhengzhou (2.5-3 hours), Wuhan (4-5 hours), Harbin (5-5.5 hours), etc.

Free Time Ideas:

You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.

Today you will spend the whole day exploring the ancient citadel Beijing through China’s famous landmarks, epic imperial grandeur and royal gardens.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and then head to Tian’anmen Square, which is the world’s largest public square and also the symbol of China. It has witnessed many big events in China over the past decades and from here you can take good pictures of Tiananmen Gate showing on CCTV News every day.

Walk across the square and you will visit the might and splendor of the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and one-time home to 24 emperors of China. Listed as a world heritage site, Forbidden City has about 500 years’ history, and served as the political and ritual center of China during the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. With over 8,728 rooms, the Forbidden City is not only China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings, but also a city within the city, like the Vatican in Rome. Enter through Meridian Gate and visit along the central axis to ensure you won’t miss any highlighted palaces. You can admire its brilliant architecture and numerous ancient art treasures while listening to your guide and learning more about the emperors’ stories hidden inside the Imperial Palace. Later, take another 15-minute walk up to Jingshan Park, where you can have a magnificent panorama of modern Beijing and princely views over the russet roofs of the Forbidden City.

Lastly, you will head to Temple of Heaven. Located in Beijing's Tiantan Park, the Temple of Heaven is much bigger than the Forbidden City and smaller than the Summer Palace. As a World Heritage, the Temple of Heaven (Taoist temple) is also known for its rigorous symbolic layout, peculiar structure, and magnificent decoration. The Temple of Heaven used to be a place to offer sacrifice to Heaven by 22 Chinese emperors twice a year for good harvests. You can learn more about the grand praying ceremony there, as well as observe the amazing designs such as the Echo Wall and the Triple Sound Stones. Nowadays, it is also a park for local people to do morning exercise and you are welcome to join them.

In this morning, you will head northwest of Beijing (about 1.5-2 hours’ drive, 73km) to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The Great Wall boasts a history over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient masterpieces on the planet. Mutianyu Great Wall is connected with the Jiankou Great Wall in the west and the Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. Mutianyu is the longest and best fully-restored Great Wall with fewer tourists and is also famed for its 23 Ming-era watchtowers and stunning views. Take the cable car up to the 14th watchtower and then enjoy the memorable hiking time on the wall while visiting its western route. With the green pines and cypresses covering the surrounding area, and the winding wall standing majestically on the vast land, you will capture the most stunning natural scenery in this section. Challenge yourselves while climbing up to the 20th watchtower where you could fulfill your Great Wall dream. Cherish the chance and take photos as many as you like!

In this afternoon, drive to the “Museum of Royal Garden” - Summer Palace, which used to be the resort for royal families to flee summer heat. The grounds, temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes, bridges, gate-towers, and corridors are a marvel of landscaping. Enjoy the leisure walk and take your time to appreciate the imperial architectures, hilltop views, and beautiful lakes, which offer a pastoral escape into the landscapes of traditional Chinese painting.

Today, you will be escorted to the train station for a high-speed train to Harbin (about 5-6.5 hours).

Nǐ hǎo! Welcome to Harbin, the "Ice City." Upon your arrival at the railway station, your tour guide and driver will greet you at the exit. They'll then escort you directly to the downtown area and assist you with checking in at your hotel.

Harbin (哈尔滨), the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, is widely known as the "Ice City." Each winter, it hosts the renowned Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, one of the largest and most visually stunning winter events in the world. As temperatures plunge, the city transforms into a magical winter wonderland filled with towering ice castles and intricate sculptures illuminated in vibrant colors, creating a scene that feels both enchanting and surreal.

The Songhua River, often called Harbin’s "mother river," flows through the city and takes on a unique beauty in winter. When it freezes over, the river becomes a playground for winter sports. Locals and tourists alike flock to its vast icy surface to enjoy activities like ice skating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. The massive ice blocks used in the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival are harvested from the frozen sections of the Songhua River, providing sculptors with the raw material needed to create their towering, complex works of art.

Another fascinating aspect of Harbin is its unique blend of cultures, earning it the nicknames “Moscow of the East” and “Little Paris of the East.” This pedestrian street is lined with Russian Orthodox churches and European-inspired buildings, creating a distinctive cityscape that is markedly different from other Chinese cities. Harbin’s culture is an intriguing fusion of Chinese, Russian, and European elements, visible in its food, music, and festivals. For instance, Harbin is known for its Russian-influenced sausage and bread, as well as its beer brewing tradition.

Free Time Ideas:

When you have some free time to explore on your own, Zhaolin Park (兆麟公园) offers a chance to see the free Harbin Ice Lantern Show in winter. Known as the birthplace of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Zhaolin Park is cherished by locals “老哈” as it holds many childhood memories. While it may not be as grand in scale as the massive Ice and Snow World, this charming park serves as an excellent “appetizer” to the city’s larger ice and snow festival.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Siberian Tiger Park (东北虎林园), located on the north bank of the Songhua River in Harbin. This is the world's largest natural park dedicated to the conservation of the Siberian tiger, housing nearly 1,000 purebred Northeast tigers of various ages.

Unlike traditional zoos, the Harbin Siberian Tiger Park allows visitors to tour the grounds in cage-style sightseeing vehicles, which offer a safe yet thrilling way to observe tigers as they roam freely in a carefully simulated natural habitat. Imagine the excitement of moving among these majestic animals - sometimes catching sight of them strolling gracefully, other times watching them burst into sprints. Don't forget to capture these breathtaking moments, recording the perfect blend of wildness and beauty through your lens. For an even closer encounter, you’ll have the unique opportunity to feed the tigers yourself. Watch as they stand up on their hind legs, claws gripping the steel mesh as they beg for food from visitors. Note: The food for feeding the tigers is at your own expense. Besides Siberian tigers, the park also houses other large feline species, including lions, ligers (offspring of lions and tigers), and leopards, providing visitors with a valuable opportunity to learn about different feline species.

Afterward, we embark on a fantastical journey through ice and snow to Sun Island (太阳岛), home to the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo - a highlight of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Here, the magic of winter is taken to the extreme, with each snowflake imbued with life and sculpted into breathtaking works of art.

Stroll through this winter through paths lined with snow sculptures, and marvel at the exquisite snow sculptures that tower above you, crafted by talented artists from around the world. Capture the artistry and imagination that transforms the island into a snowy gallery under the open sky. These snow sculptures vary in form: some stand as majestic mountain ranges, others come alive as vivid animals, while yet others resemble dreamlike castles, inviting wonder and imagination. The most breathtaking aspect lies in the minute details - the nuanced expressions on characters’ faces, the delicate textures of animal fur - each element so meticulously rendered, the figures appear animated. In addition to the visual spectacle, Sun Island delights with a myriad of playful ice and snow activities.

Optional Activity: If you're interested in polar animals, you might want to consider visiting Harbin Polarland, located next to Sun Island. As the world's first polar amusement park, it features polar bears, penguins, sea lions, seals, and more. Please note that this activity is optional and can be enjoyed at an additional cost.

Next, we will head to the Ice and Snow World (冰雪大世界), the world-famous ice and snow theme park and the most dazzling highlight of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, celebrated for its spectacular ice sculptures.

Stepping into this fantasy space, meticulously crafted from tens of thousands of cubic meters of ice and snow, feels like instantly teleporting into a crystal-clear fairy-tale kingdom. As you wander through the park, an array of ice sculptures unfolds before you - from towering castles and elegant bridges to lifelike animals, modern buildings, and even imaginative sci-fi scenes. There are also unique ice bars and ice restaurants, offering you the extraordinary experience of dining or enjoying a drink in structures made entirely of ice.

As the last rays of the sunset quietly disappear over the horizon, the Ice and Snow World truly begins to reveal its magic. The entire park is transformed into a dreamlike setting, with thousands of colorful lights decorating the ice sculptures as if they were scenes straight out of a fairy tale, creating an enchanting world of light and shadow.

Moreover, Ice and Snow World offers a variety of ice and snow activities, such as snow tubing, ice go-karting, and ice biking. Among the most thrilling attractions is the winding super ice slide. Sliding down from a height, you will fully experience the speed and excitement that ice and snow can bring. The Snowflake Ferris Wheel offers a splendid view over the entire park, allowing you to fully appreciate the magnificent landscape of this icy domain. And for a unique winter celebration, join the ice disco, where children shriek with excitement and adults rediscover the joy of their youth, their laughter echoing through the cold air.

Travel Tips:

1. Dress Appropriately:Wear multiple layers of clothing to keep warm. Don’t forget hats, gloves, scarves, and thermal socks. Waterproof, insulated boots are essential, along with a mask for face.
2. Protect Your Electronics: Cold weather can drain battery life quickly. Keep cameras and phones close to your body to maintain warmth, and bring spare batteries or a portable charger.
3. Eye Protection: If you wear glasses, consider switching to contact lenses, as your warm breath can fog up lenses and obstruct vision. Sunglasses are recommended to protect against the intense glare from sunlight reflecting off the snow.
4. Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon is ideal for experiencing both daylight and the stunning nighttime illuminations of the sculptures and structures.
5. Prepare for Queues: Popular attractions like the giant ice slide and the Snow Ferris Wheel can have long wait times. Prepare for possible queues, especially during peak hours.

After the tour, return to your hotel in Harbin City.

In the morning, you will visit the Hongzhuan Street morning market (红砖街早市) to sample authentic northeastern Chinese snacks and experience the daily rhythm of local life. The market is filled with various stalls, each offering a wide array of handmade, local delicacies. You’ll find steaming hot northeastern flatbreads (东北大饼), fragrant tofu pudding (豆腐脑), and golden, crispy fried dough cakes (油炸糕), all reminiscent of childhood memories for many locals. Not far off, the aroma of hearty northeastern stews fills the air - tender pork stew with vermicelli (猪肉炖粉条) and chicken stew with mushrooms (小鸡炖蘑菇), each bite a perfect temptation for your taste buds. As you weave through the bustling crowd, you'll see locals carrying their vegetable baskets and chatting casually with familiar vendors. You'll hear their humorous, lively dialects, and the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere will give you a true sense of the unique humor, warmth, and open-hearted generosity that defines the people of northeastern China.

Next, head to the Snowman Pier at the Bund (外滩雪人码头) to witness the thrilling winter swimming performance, an unmissable winter feature activity. Despite the biting cold, winter swimming enthusiasts, clad in tight swimsuits, are eager to take the plunge. At the signal, they leap into the water like arrows from a bow, creating splashes all around. In the icy waters, these swimmers glide with ease, their graceful movements almost blending with the snow and ice. For the audience, the winter swimming performance is equally a soul-stirring experience. Every time someone completes a successful swim, the crowd erupts into enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Then, visit St. Sophia Cathedral (圣·索菲亚教堂), an iconic landmark of Harbin. This magnificent Russian Orthodox cathedral, with its distinctive green onion dome topped by a golden cross and intricate red brick façade, offers a glimpse into the city's unique blend of Russian and Chinese influences. Standing before the cathedral, you'll be awestruck by its grandeur and solemn atmosphere Inside, the cathedral houses the Harbin Architecture Art Museum, which showcases the city's urban development history and architectural artistry. In winter, when snowflakes are gently falling, St. Sophia Cathedral in the snow resembles a fairytale castle, creating a truly magical and dreamlike scene.

Continue your day by visiting Zhongyang Pedestrian Street (中央大街), also known as Central Street, Harbin's bustling shopping and entertainment hub. This century-old street stretches over 1,450 meters and is lined with buildings in various architectural styles - Baroque, Renaissance, Eclecticism, and Art Nouveau - earning it the nickname "Outdoor Architectural Art Museum."

As you stroll through this vibrant central street, you'll encounter everything from local handicrafts to international brands. It's an ideal place to explore local shops, enjoy street performances, or simply soak in the city's unique atmosphere. Treat yourself to a blend of Chinese and Russian cuisines, including Harbin Sausages (哈尔滨香肠), Maidel Ice Cream (马迭尔冰棍), Russian bread (大列巴), and Qiulin Kvass (秋林格瓦斯), a Russian-inspired fermented beverage. In winter, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street becomes particularly enchanting, adorned with sparkling ice sculptures and strings of lights, complementing the nearby Harbin Ice Festival.

At the end of Zhongyang Pedestrian Street lies Stalin Park (斯大林公园), a beloved local park located along the banks of the Songhua River. Locals alike flock to its vast icy surface to enjoy activities like ice skating, ride sleds, and snowmobiling...

Conclude your tour with a visit to Lao Daowai (老道外), the birthplace of Harbin, give visitors a taste of the city’s historical roots. It is home to the largest "Chinese Baroque" architectural district in the country. As you stroll through the streets of Laodaowai, you’ll see century-old buildings that have withstood the test of time. These structures feature Western-style exteriors, yet inside, they hide traditional Chinese courtyards, reflecting Harbin’s unique "Chinese Baroque" style, a fusion of Eastern and Western architectural influences created by the people of Harbin.

Here, besides exploring historical buildings, you can experience the nostalgic atmosphere of the city's past, with quaint shops selling local goods, traditional snacks, and artisanal crafts. The commercial atmosphere of Laodaowai is relatively traditional and localized, dominated by small shops and time-honored brands that have grown alongside the people of Harbin, making this area particularly suitable for tourists who enjoy exploring local culture.

It is time to end your 6 Days Beijing Harbin Tour. Your guide will escort you to the airport or train station for your journey to your next destination.

Extension Ideas: If you wish to extend your Winter Tour, you can explore the areas surrounding Harbin, such as Yabuli for skiing, China Snow Town, and Changbai Mountain. Other destinations in Northeast China like Jilin, Changchun, and Dalian are also options. We'd be happy to assist you with these arrangements.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China Winter Tour, we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!