7 Days Harbin Jilin Ice & Snow Tour

Arrival in Harbin

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Breakfast & Lunch

Upon arrival in Harbin, you will be warmly welcomed by our local guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center. Harbin, known as the 'Ice City', is renowned for its unique blend of Chinese and Russian cultures and its world-famous winter scenery.

After check-in and some rest, you may start your first glimpse of Harbin with a leisurely walk along the Central Street (Zhongyang Dajie). This century-old pedestrian street is lined with European-style architecture, featuring Baroque and Byzantine façades, vintage street lamps, and elegant boutiques. The street is especially enchanting in winter, with snow-covered roofs and shimmering lights creating a romantic, fairytale-like atmosphere.

You’ll also be able to admire the Flood Control Monument, located at the end of the street near the Songhua River, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the frozen river surface and winter activities like ice biking and dog sledding.

Evening Option:
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. We recommend trying Harbin specialties such as Guobaorou (crispy sweet and sour pork), Harbin-style smoked red sausages, and Russian-style borscht. After dinner, take a nighttime stroll on Central Street to experience the illuminated snow sculptures and cozy cafés.

Saint Sophia Cathedral--Central Street, Siberian Tiger Park--Ice, Sun Island Snow Fair--Harbin Ice and Snow World

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the Saint Sophia Cathedral, a magnificent Byzantine-style Orthodox church built in 1907. Although now a museum, the exterior remains a masterpiece, with its soaring green dome and red brick walls standing as a symbol of Harbin's Russian past. Inside, you’ll find old photographs, artifacts, and exhibits detailing the city’s multicultural history.

Next, continue to the Harbin Snow Sculpture Art Expo on Sun Island, where massive, intricate snow sculptures carved by international artists amaze visitors every winter. The sculptures range from ancient palaces to modern designs, and many of them tower several stories high.

After lunch, we’ll explore the Ice and Snow World, the crown jewel of Harbin’s winter attractions. This spectacular theme park is built entirely from blocks of ice taken from the Songhua River. You’ll be awed by towering ice castles, icy labyrinths, glowing palaces, slides, tunnels, and ice carvings illuminated by colorful LED lights. This is a perfect place to experience the magic of winter nights.

Evening Option:
Stay and enjoy the mesmerizing nighttime scenery of the Ice and Snow World. You can also watch ice acrobatics or live ice shows performed on outdoor stages, or even try ice tubing or ice climbing (optional activities).

Snowy Street--Dream Home--Observation Deck

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, depart from Harbin for a scenic drive to China Snow Town (Xuexiang), which takes approximately 6–7 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through pristine forests, snowy mountains, and charming rural villages, offering incredible photo opportunities of the winter countryside.

Arrive in Snow Town in the afternoon and check into a traditional local guesthouse, where you can enjoy warm hospitality and experience the simple life of northeastern villagers.

Snow Town is famous for its deep snow, which blankets the village in layers over two meters thick. Wander through the Snow Charm Avenue, lined with lantern-lit wooden houses covered in soft white snow, creating the appearance of a real-life snow fairyland. The roof shapes formed by the snow are whimsically unique, like giant mushroom domes and fluffy clouds.

Recommended Activities:
Try a snow tubing ride, rent a snow suit and pose for photos with Siberian Huskies, or visit a small museum about the filming of the popular Chinese reality show Where Are We Going, Dad?, which made Snow Town famous.

Evening Option:
In the evening, enjoy a traditional northeastern hotpot dinner made with local ingredients such as pork belly, tofu, pickled vegetables, and noodles. Afterward, you can take a peaceful walk along the lantern-lit village roads or join a bonfire party with locals, singing and dancing under the stars.

Yangcao Mountain Sunrise (Optional)--Jingpo Lake

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Breakfast & Lunch

Wake up early to catch the magical sunrise over Snow Town, as the first rays of sunlight pierce through the snowy mist and reflect off icicles hanging from rooftops. After breakfast, enjoy a short forest hike to Yangcaoshan Hill (optional), which offers panoramic views of snow-covered peaks and valleys, a favorite spot for photographers.

Later in the morning, we will drive to Jingpo Lake (Mirror Lake), a hidden winter gem located near Mudanjiang. The drive takes about 4–5 hours through scenic mountain roads.

Arriving in the afternoon, you’ll explore the frozen Jingpo Lake, which transforms into a natural ice rink during the winter. You can walk on the crystal-clear ice, try ice fishing with local fishermen, or simply admire the tranquil, untouched beauty of the surroundings.

Evening Option:
Overnight at a lakeside hotel. You may enjoy a relaxing hot bath followed by a hearty local meal featuring freshwater fish caught from the lake. Some lodges also offer local folklore performances in the evening.

Rafting and Hot Spring

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, we will drive toward the legendary Changbai Mountain, about 4 hours away. This dormant volcano is revered in Chinese and Korean culture and is known for its stunning winter landscapes.

Upon arrival, visit the Changbai Mountain Scenic Area, entering from the North Slope. The mountain is home to the majestic Tianchi Lake (Heaven Lake), located in a volcanic crater at the summit. In winter, the lake is often frozen, surrounded by dramatic snow-capped peaks and steam rising from volcanic vents.

Ride a snowmobile or 4WD jeep (if road conditions allow) up the mountain to catch views of the frozen lake, steaming hot springs, and ice-covered trees that sparkle in the sun.

On the way back down, you’ll pass by the Changbai Waterfall, one of the few waterfalls in China that flows even in winter thanks to underground heat. Nearby is the underground forest, where thick pine trees and rare wildlife survive despite the cold.

Recommended Activities:
Stop at the natural hot spring pools at the foot of the mountain, where you can warm your hands or buy eggs boiled directly in the hot spring water.

Evening Option:
Check in to a local hot spring hotel. In the evening, unwind in an outdoor hot spring bath surrounded by snow, a truly unforgettable winter spa experience.

Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)--Changbai Waterfall--Green Deep Pool--Underground Forest

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, depart for Jilin City, a 5-hour drive away. Located along the Songhua River, Jilin is world-famous for its rime ice—delicate ice crystals that form on trees when warm river mist meets freezing winter air.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Rime Island (Wusong Island) or Zengtong Village, where rime trees line the riverbanks like frozen cherry blossoms. If you're lucky and the weather is right, you'll see one of China's top four natural wonders—“Jilin Rime”.

Take a walk along the riverbanks and feel the serene atmosphere of snow-covered fields, sparkling branches, and drifting mist. It’s a paradise for photographers and nature lovers.

Evening Option:
Stay overnight in Jilin City. You can enjoy a relaxing evening trying local Manchu cuisine, such as stewed pork with vermicelli, venison, or rime trout. If you’re interested, visit a local bathhouse, a popular way to warm up in the Northeast.

Departure from Changbai Mountain

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Jilin Railway Station or Changchun Airport for your onward journey.

Depending on your departure schedule, you may have time to visit Beishan Park, a peaceful hilltop park with temples and snowy landscapes, or simply stroll through local markets to buy souvenirs like ginseng, snow fungus, or local crafts.

We hope you had an unforgettable adventure discovering the winter magic of Northeast China. Safe travels and we look forward to welcoming you again!

Optional Extension:
If you'd like to extend your trip, we can arrange further travel to Changchun or even return to Harbin for additional sightseeing.