How to Plan a Harbin Tour: Complete Guide

Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, is famous for its unique geographical location, rich historical culture, and captivating natural scenery. Nicknamed the "Oriental Little Paris" or "Oriental Moscow," this city has many European-style buildings scattered throughout—Baroque, Byzantine, and other styles can be seen everywhere, as if telling a story of its glamorous past. If you’re planning a Harbin trip, this Harbin travel guide will help you make the most of your visit.

Why Visit Harbin?

Must-Visit Attractions in Harbin 

Harbin has a wide range of tourist attractions with unique characteristics, which allow you to experience the modern charm and icy wonders of the city as well as learn about its history and culture during your Harbin tours. Below is a list of the top attractions in Harbin. 

Top Things to Do in Harbin 

No Harbin trip is complete without joining the Ice and Snow Festival and appreciating spectacular ice sculptures at Snow World. Besides, taking part in winter icy activities is a must-do during your Harbin tours. Try skiing and horse-drawn sleigh rides at Harbin's ski resort and winter swimming in the Songhua River. Don't forget to visit the Russian style architecture, like St. Sophia Cathedral. It's also a wonderful experience to stroll along the Zhongyang Pedestrian Street to admire its ancient buildings and taste Madie’er ice cream.

To enjoy the city’s beautiful natural scenery on your Harbin travel, visit the Songhua River and the attractions at the riverside, such as the Sun Islands and Stalin Park. Also, take the Songhua River cableway across the river, by which you can overlook Harbin’s skyline. 

How Long to Stay in Harbin | Best Harbin Itinerary

Typically, most tourists prefer to stay in Harbin for 3-4 days to explore the essence of the city. Use this Harbin trip planner to make your travel easier.

3-Day Harbin Highlight Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Harbin. Start your Harbin city tour by visiting Saint Sophia Cathedral. Take a leisurely walk along the Zhongyang Pedestrian Street. Then take the Songhua River Cableway to appreciate the beautiful landscapes at the riverside.

Day 2: Visit Sun Island Scenic Area for its Snow Sculpture Expo, then go to the Siberian Tiger Park and meet Siberian tigers. In the afternoon, watch the polar animal performances at Harbin Polarland, then embark on a Harbin Ice and Snow Festival Tour and have fun in Harbin Ice and Snow World.

Day 3: Stroll around Stalin Park, and then move to the Heilongjiang Provincial Museum and Harbin Confucius Temple. End your day by spending time at China Baroque Street for its unique buildings and tasty delicacies.

>> Recommended 3-day Harbin Ice Festival tour

4-Day Harbin Classic Tour

Day 1: Go to Hongzhuan Morning Market for breakfast, then visit Central Street and Saint Sophia Cathedral. Afterward, visit the Songhua River and experience icy activities like skating, ice bumper cars, and ice yachting.

Day 2: Head to the Flood Control Monument. Then, make your way to the Zhaolin Park to appreciate its winter ice lanterns. Learn more about Harbin’s history at Heilongjiang Provincial Museum.

Day 3: Enjoy yourself at the Harbin winter attraction of Ice and Snow World after visiting Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin Polarland, and Harbin Grand Theatre.

Day 4: Set out for the Sun Island and marvel at its icy sculptures before visiting Stalin Park and its Music Gallery. Then go to the Volga Manor to see its Russian-style architecture in Harbin.

>> Recommended 4-day Harbin Tour with Ice Festival & Culture experiences

Extend Your Harbin Trip

With 5-6 days, you can extend your Harbin trip to Yabuli and China Snow Town after 2-3 days staying in Harbin. In Yabuli International Ski Resort, challenge yourself to a skiing experience and traditional horse-drawn sleigh rides. Also, soak in hot springs while admiring the snowscapes. After that, visit China Snow Town and enjoy its unique snowy landscapes. Start a off-the-beaten-path China winter hike on Bangchui Mountain's scenic trail, wander through Xueyun Street, and witness the phenomenon of pouring hot water that flash-freezes in the cold air.

>> Recommended Harbin Tours to Yabuli and China Snow Town

If you have 7 days or more, after your Harbin tour for 3-4 days, you can visit Changbai Mountain or Shenyang. For a Changbai Mountain trip, you can hike the snow-covered mountain, admire the magnificent Tianchi, and explore Jinjiang Grand Canyon. Alternatively, for a Shenyang tour, pay a visit to the Shenyang Imperial Palace, Qipan Mountain Scenic Area, and Zhongjie Pedestrian Street.

>> Recommended 8-day Northeast China winter tour

Practical Harbin Tour Planning Tips

1. Bring your passport and tourist visa with you.
2. Make sure your phone has offline maps and translation apps on it.
3. Book your flight, train tickets, and hotels in advance.
4. Pack seasonal clothing, medicine, skincare products, and heat patches.
5. Bind your international credit card to WeChat or Alipay for an easy payment.

Best Time to Visit Harbin

Harbin enchants visitors all year round, but summer and winter are the best times to visit. Harbin is a summer retreat with an average temperature of 25°C. Winter in China’s Harbin, though cold, is also an ideal time to enjoy ice and snow activities, especially from December to February. 

The temperatures range between -18 °C and -10°C, and along with excellent snow conditions, Harbin transforms into an icy wonderland where you can appreciate the ice sculptures and experience thrilling winter activities like skiing and snowboarding.

>> Check out Harbin’s weather and climate

January and February are the best times to visit Harbin for the Ice and Snow Festival, which starts on January 5th each year. Besides the many ice competitions, don’t miss the massive ice sculptures at Harbin Ice and Snow World and Stalin Park during your China tours to Harbin. You can also visit Zhaolin Park to enjoy the spectacular Ice Lantern Garden Expo.

Harbin Travel Tips for Winter Holiday

1. When walking on ice or snow, slightly bend your knees and lean your body forward to reduce the risk of slipping.
2. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of sunlight on the snow.
3. Harbin’s outdoor temperatures can be extremely low! Phones, cameras, and other electronic devices may shut down or lose power quickly in the cold. Carry a power bank and use hand warmers to keep your phone warm.
4. In winter, it gets dark around 4 p.m., so plan your itinerary wisely to make the most of the daylight.

Harbin Winter Clothing Guide

During your trip to Harbin, you’ll find that while it’s freezing outdoors, most indoor places are well-heated, creating a sharp temperature contrast between inside and outside. So, you should dress in loose, layered clothing and follow the guide below.

Harbin Hotels | Where to Stay in Harbin 

Central Street is one of the best areas to stay in Harbin. Located in the city’s bustling downtown area, it's within easy reach of other Harbin attractions. Lize Hotel, Lavande Hotel, and Huanman Hotel are the best choices. Just note that the hotel prices in winter surge, so remember to book early. Alternatively, Gogol Street is a good place to stay during your China winter tours to Harbin, with many hotels clustered there, Metro Line 1 passing through, and Russian-style architecture lining both sides of the street.

Harbin Food | What to Eat in Harbin 

Harbin's cuisine, with distinctive Russian influences and hearty Northeastern Chinese braised dishes, never disappoints food lovers. Local favorites include Laochujia's sweet and sour pork, Laochang Pancake's spring pancakes, and Tatoc Western Restaurant's Russian cuisine, all of which are must-try delicacies. In addition, specialties like Harbin smoked chicken, Harbin red sausage, and Madie'er ice cream are also must-eat foods in Harbin, especially for first-time visitors. Don’t hesitate to try Harbin’s dumplings, one of China's most popular winter foods.

Harbin Transportation | How to Get to/around Harbin

How to Get to Harbin 

By Air

Flying to Harbin is one of the best modes of transportation. Harbin Taiping International Airport is a key aviation hub that serves as an optimal stopover for flights between Southeast Asia and North America. From the airport, you can get to downtown (38km away) by an airport shuttle bus (¥20/person) or a convenient ride-hailing service.

By Train

Harbin is the second-largest railway hub in Northeast China after Shenyang. The city has three major stations: Harbin Station in the city center, Harbin East Station in Songbei District, and Harbin West Station (the one that most bullet trains stop at). You can travel to Harbin by high-speed trains from Beijing (4.5 hours), Tianjin (6.5 hours), and Shanghai (12 hours), or take regular trains from other cities in China.

How to Travel around Harbin 

By Metro

This is the fastest and most preferable way to explore Harbin, and the cost ranges from 2 to 4 yuan by distance. The Metro Line 2 can take you directly to some major attractions, including Harbin Ice and Snow World, Central Street, and Sun Island.

By Bus

Taking a bus is the most cost-effective way to travel around Harbin, with just 1-2 yuan per ride. 

By Taxi

It's easy to hail a taxi at any part of the city, with a starting fare of 8 yuan for the first 3 kilometers.

Plan a Harbin Tour with Easy Tour China

Planning a Harbin trip might be challenging, especially for first-time travelers, as the attractions are spread out, and the hotels and tickets can be hard to book during winter. For a smooth, safe, and hassle-free experience, it’s best to tour with a professional local travel agency like Easy Tour China, your trusted local tour expert with more than 20 years of experience in private and tailor-made China tours. Below are our top-rated China tour packages with Harbin.

Want to customize your own Harbin tours in China? Just contact us now.