Harbin travel blog. The ultimate Harbin travel guide for all kinds of travelers

Harbin is the intersection of many Asian and European cultures in China. What to do, eat, and buy when traveling to Harbin? Pocket the experience of going to Harbin through Harbin travel blog (Harbin blog) suggested by Klook as follows!

Are you looking for a destination for a winter vacation filled with white snow and colorful festivals? Then why hesitate to come to Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, China to enjoy a very different winter!

Once a small fishing village on the banks of the Songhua River, Harbin has now become China’s most prominent tourist destination in winter. Not only famous for its magnificent Ice Festival, this city located in the far north of China also has many other interesting things waiting for you to discover. Follow this article of Klook Vietnam and save these interesting travel experiences right away!

Where is Harbin? (#Harbin travel blog)

Harbin is a large city in Heilongjiang, bordering Russia and North Korea. The city is a crossroads of two great cultures, combining Eastern traditions with Western modernity.

In the early 20th century, when the Russian-controlled China Eastern Railway was built, Harbin quickly became a bustling trading center. This development attracted many immigrants from all over, especially from Russia.

The city’s architecture bears a strong Russian imprint with ancient European-style buildings, magnificent Orthodox churches and bustling Russian Street. Harbin is also notable for its ethnic diversity, creating a vibrant multicultural community. Here, you can explore the fusion of cuisine, art and customs.

What is the best season to visit Harbin?

Harbin is notable for its typical continental temperate climate. It has four distinct seasons, with long and cold winters, temperatures can drop to -25℃. In contrast, summer is usually short and warm, with an average temperature of around 29℃.

Each season in Harbin has its own charm, but winter (from November to March) is the most ideal time to travel to Harbin. This is when the city puts on a white coat, transforming into a snow and ice paradise with the world-famous Ice and Snow Festival.

Coming to Harbin around this time, you will be amazed and excited by the sparkling ice and snow sculptures, fun skiing activities at Yabuli resort, or exploring the picturesque Chinese snow village.

In addition, summer (July to August) is also a good time to visit Harbin. At this time, the weather is very cool, suitable for walking, sightseeing, and exploring the city.

How to Get to Harbin from Vietnam?

To get to Harbin from Vietnam, the most popular and convenient way is to travel by air with flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to major cities in China such as Beijing and Shanghai. From here, you will continue to transfer to Harbin Taiping International Airport. This airport is about 30km from the city center and it is expected to take about 45 minutes by taxi to the hotel.

In addition, if you are stopping in major cities in China such as Beijing, taking a train to Harbin city is also a good choice. This journey will take 8-10 hours to reach the train station located right in the city center. Because the trip is quite long, you should buy train tickets early to get a comfortable seat!

Where to go and what to do in Harbin?

Harbin Ice and Snow World (#Harbin travel blog)

Harbin Ice and Snow World is one of the largest ice and snow parks in the world, located in the west of Sun Island. The park covers an area of ​​up to 600,000 square meters, featuring thousands of magnificent ice sculptures and a variety of entertainment activities.

The Ice and Snow World opens every year as part of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, with ice sculptures created according to different themes. At night, the sculptures will be lit up by colorful LED lights, creating a magical world for you to freely “live virtual”.

In addition to visiting the ice sculptures, you can also participate in exciting activities such as skiing, skating, ice cycling, and enjoy attractive music and circus performances.

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin

• Address: 88 Toulong Street, Daoli District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
• Opening hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm daily.

Located in Sophia Square, Sophia Cathedral is the largest Eastern Orthodox church in Northeast Asia with over 112 years of history. It is the best-preserved Byzantine architectural structure in China. Currently, the church has been converted into the Harbin Architectural Art Museum, and still attracts many visitors thanks to its impressive architectural beauty.

The church is 53.3 meters high, with an area of ​​721 square meters, featuring a large dome, red brick walls and a bell tower in the style of the Russian “green onion domes”, typical of Neo-Byzantine architecture. It is also an ideal place for beautiful wedding photos and a place to display exhibitions on the history and present of Harbin city.

China’s Snow Town

About 280 km from Harbin City, the snow town is located at an altitude of about 1,100 meters and is covered with 2 meters of snow every winter. It is famous for its white snow landscape, creating a paradise-like scene, with “snow curtains” hanging from the roof to the ground.

Visitors can participate in many interesting activities such as riding a sleigh, watching the sunrise from the top of Yangcaoshan Hill, or enjoying traditional Errenzhuan performances of Northeast China. At night, red lanterns will light up the whole village, creating an extremely romantic scene.

Yabuli Ski Resort in Harbin

• Address: Yabuli Town, Shangzhi City, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
• Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. (November – March)

Located in the Changbai Mountains, Yabuli Resort consists of three main peaks: Guokui, Second Guokui, and Third Guokui. The area was opened to the public in 1974 and became famous after hosting the 1996 Asian Games. Today, Yabuli is recognized as an AAAA tourist destination and is the largest ski resort in China.

With the longest ski slopes in Asia, Yabuli has attracted many tourists and professional skiers from all over. In addition to skiing, Yabuli is also known as the “Forest Museum” with a forest coverage rate of up to 96%. In summer, the average temperature is 23 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal destination to escape the heat.

Sun Island Park in Harbin (#Harbin blog)

• Address: No.3 Jingbei Road, Daoli District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
• Opening hours: Open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Sun Island Park is located on the north bank of the Songhua River, an ideal destination for those who love peaceful space and beautiful scenery. With an area of ​​up to 3,800 hectares, this island is considered the “green lung” of the city, an ideal place to rest, relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Sun Island is famous for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, which displays many giant and impressive ice and snow art works. Visitors can admire the exquisite sculptures, created from compressed snow.

In addition, the park also owns a zoo with many rare animals, notably the majestic Siberian tigers. Or you can also explore the Russian village with its unique architecture, or stroll along the shady green streets.

Siberian Tiger Park in Harbin

• Address: 88 Songbei Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
• Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

Located on the north bank of the Songhua River and near Sun Island, the 1,200,000 square meter park is the only place in the world where you can admire purebred Siberian tigers, one of the most endangered animals.

The park is divided into five main areas: adult tiger garden, adult tiger breeding garden, tiger cub garden, lion garden and walking area. Currently, the park houses more than 600 tigers, which have been cared for to adapt to the natural environment.

The most popular activity for visitors here is feeding the tigers and taking pictures with them. In addition, you can experience a tour by guard car, to see Siberian tigers at close range. Remember to bring a camera to capture memorable moments!

Zhongyang Pedestrian Street in Harbin, China

Also known as Central Street, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street is one of the famous shopping and entertainment destinations in Harbin. Zhongyang Street is 1,450 meters long, built in 1898 and became a pedestrian street in 1997. It is considered the center of European culture in the area.

This street is famous for buildings with bold European architectural styles such as Baroque, Art Nouveau and Renaissance. Among them, Jiaoyu Bookstore with the largest Baroque design in Harbin can be mentioned.

Not only that, Zhongyang Street is also home to many shops, hotels and bars, allowing you to enjoy shopping and entertainment. This is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a place that clearly reflects the cultural exchange between modernity and history of the city.

List of Famous Festivals in Harbin – China

Harbin is famous for its cold winters and unique ice and snow festivals. Let’s explore the most unique festivals in Harbin with Klook, so you can admire the beautiful ice and snow artwork and experience the vibrant atmosphere.

Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

This is the largest and most famous ice and snow festival in the world, held annually from January to February. During the festival, you will admire giant and sophisticated ice and snow sculptures, from famous architectural works to cartoon and mythical characters. In addition, the festival also has many interesting entertainment activities such as ice skating, skiing, swimming in the ice lake and watching art performances.

Harbin Winter Festival

The Harbin Winter Festival is a cultural and sports event held annually in December. The festival includes many activities such as ice skating, skiing, swimming in the ice lake, and special art and cultural performances.

Harbin International Beer Festival

The Harbin Beer Festival is an annual event held in the summer, attracting a large number of locals and tourists. Here, you can enjoy many different types of beer, participate in fun games and watch exciting music performances.

It’s time to immerse yourself in the vibrant festival atmosphere, experience unique culture and admire beautiful ice and snow artwork!

Must-Try Specialties When Traveling to Harbin

Harbin Sausage

Known as red sausage due to its purple-red shell, Harbin sausage is a European-flavored dish that you should try at least once. The sausage is made from lean pork, flour, garlic, and spices, creating a distinctive flavor. Street stalls such as Zhongyang Pedestrian Street are great places to experience this specialty.

Madier Ice Cream

Whether it’s a hot summer day or a cold winter, you can still see tourists lining up to enjoy Madier ice cream. Madier ice cream, also known as Modern stick ice cream, is an iconic snack of Harbin city. The perfect combination of sweet, salty, and creamy, this ice cream has conquered many gourmet food lovers. The most famous point of sale is located at No. 89, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street.

Guobaorou – Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork

Not only in Harbin, Guobaorou, or sweet and sour pork, is a famous dish of the cuisine of the whole Northeast China. This dish is made with thinly sliced ​​pork fried crispy coated in tangcuzhi sauce. The characteristic sweet and sour sauce, combining sugar and vinegar, creates an attractive crust around the crispy meat. It is quite easy to find this dish in most restaurants and snack shops, especially on Zhongyang Pedestrian Street.

DaLieBa (Khleb) Bread

DaLieBa (Khleb) Bread is a large sourdough bread, usually much larger than your face. The name “DaLieba” is a combination of the Chinese word “Da” (big) and the Russian word “Lieba” (bread). With a characteristic sweet and sour taste from malt, DaLieba is not only delicious but also stays fresh for a long time. This type of bread is considered part of the Russian culinary heritage in Harbin.

KaoLengMian Street Food in Harbin

Kao Leng Mian, also known as grilled cold noodles, is a famous street food in Harbin. This dish is not actually noodles, nor is it cold, but this dish is fried bread slices, combined with eggs, green onions, lettuce, minced onions and coriander, along with spicy sauce or tomato sauce. This dish is usually served in a paper bowl with two bamboo toothpicks for eating. Kao Leng Mian is often sold at night markets and street food stalls in Harbin, very suitable for enjoying while walking around.

What to Buy as Gifts When Traveling to Harbin?

Russian Dolls

Russian Dolls are a popular gift widely sold in Harbin, reflecting the strong influence of Russian culture in this city area. These wooden dolls are often similar in shape and come in different sizes, stacked on top of each other. The largest doll can hold up to 10 smaller ones. This will definitely be a souvenir that both adults and children will love.

Ginseng

With many nutritional values, ginseng is a special gift choice for you when traveling to Harbin. ChangBai Mountain ginseng has many nutrients that help improve metabolism, stimulate blood circulation, relax muscles, aid digestion and reduce blood sugar. In particular, Yuanseng ginseng is a rare and expensive ginseng, a valuable high-class gift you can buy in Harbin.

Jade Quartz

Jade Quartz is a semi-precious stone that stands out for its high hardness and shiny appearance, often used for decoration. Quartz stone is not only attractive for its beauty but also has feng shui meaning, helping to protect and bring luck to the owner. In Harbin, you can find many products made from quartz stone, such as pins, brooches, paper knives and seals.

Natural Houtou Mushroom

In Harbin, hutou mushrooms stand out as one of the “four famous specialties” of the region. With a unique shape resembling a monkey’s head, this mushroom is not only a precious gift but also popular for its ability to strengthen the immune system. This is a great choice if you are looking for a special health gift for your family and relatives.

Cheap Hotels & Guesthouses in Harbin, China

Harbin is a “super hot” destination in winter in China, so there are many hotels and guesthouses for tourists here. You can refer to some affordable accommodations below to prepare for your upcoming trip:

• Shangri-La Harbin: Address: No.555 Youyi Road, Daoli District/ Reference price: $115.42/night (agoda, booking)
• Wanda Realm Harbin: Address: No.158, Zhongxing Avenue(Nangang District)/Reference price: $87.22/night (agoda, booking)
• Avaunce Yabuli Hotel: Address: Yabuli Jin Pai Road No.405/Reference price: $152.73/night (agoda, booking)
• Holiday Inn Express Harbin Songbei New District, an IHG Hotel: Address: No.1793 Chuangxin1st Road(Songbei New District)/Reference price: $59.95/night
• Huaxi Hotel: Address: No. 269 ​​Shimao Avenue/ Reference price: $37.88/night (agoda, booking)

Check out more best and top hotels in Harbin on agoda.com or booking.com

Notes When Traveling to Harbin on Your Own

When traveling to Harbin on your own, there are some important points you need to keep in mind to have a smooth and safe trip:

• Prepare suitable clothing: Harbin has extremely cold weather, with temperatures that can drop to -30 degrees Celsius. You should bring a down jacket, 400D down pants, and waterproof wind pants. Don’t forget warm accessories such as wool hats, down-lined gloves, and down socks.
• Keep warm and protect your health: To avoid catching a cold, keep your head and feet warm. Bring a heat pad and a hot water bottle to feel more comfortable.
• Prepare travel gadgets: Because the weather is very cold, your phone will run out of battery quickly, so you need to prepare a spare charger. In addition, to conveniently check destination information, pay online and book, you should buy a 4G SIM, 4G eSIM, or wifi router to always connect to the Internet.
• Choose a place to stay and book a room early: You should book a hotel room close to your tourist destination to save travel time. Besides, during peak tourist season, rooms are easily sold out, so you should book a room as soon as possible.
• Make safe payments: Limit carrying cash, instead use electronic payment methods such as WeChat Pay, AliPay…
• Learn a little Chinese: English is rarely used here, so if possible, learn some basic sentences or use a translation app to make communication easier.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Harbin and Beijing you can refer to

• Harbin Ice and Snow World Tickets
• Harbin Scenic Day Tour (Including Harbin City Hotel Pickup)
• Northeastern Harbin Snow Train 5 days and 4 nights
• Harbin Polar Park Tickets
• Beijing Palace Museum Ticket (The Forbidden City)
• [Cool Summer] Universal Beijing Resort Ticket
• [Sale] Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour from Beijing (With Pick Up)
• Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) Admission Ticket in Beijing
• [Up to 20% Off] Private City Transfers for Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing
• Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour by Bus with Options
• [Sale] Mutianyu Great Wall-Downtown Beijing Round Trip Bus Pass
• Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket & Cable Car
• The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Ticket in Beijing
• Beijing Wildlife Park Admission Ticket
• Beijing Happy Valley Ticket
• CMHK | HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data (HK Airport Pick Up)
• [Thailand Pick Up] Dtac GO INTER SIM Card Zone 1(Asia, Australia, USA, exclude Thailand)
• 4G LTE WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up) for Asia
• 4G Portable WiFi (Manila Delivery) for Asia
• [Unlimited Data] 4G Portable WiFi for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Uroaming (HK Airport Pick Up)
• 4G WiFi (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong/Macau/China (No Speed Limited) from Song WiFi

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