Ice and Snow Travel Full Guide – Service Edition
What should you pay attention to when traveling in Harbin during the Ice and Snow Festival? Traveling to this Ice City definitely requires some advance preparation. Check out the following service information—anything you need to be especially aware of? Complaint Hotline We hope you won’t need to use it, but you must know about it. In case of any issues, you can safeguard your rights in a timely manner, and our newspaper can also help you resolve difficulties.
Food – Dumplings and Northeastern Cuisine First Choice
Various scenic areas offer a range of northeastern specialty foods. In addition, Russian-style Western cuisine near Central Street is a good option, and the signature stews at Jiangbei Fishing Village are also quite famous. There are several chain restaurants in Harbin known for their dumplings, so visitors can choose according to their needs.
Friendly Reminder: Northern dishes come in large portions and often feature stews. It’s recommended that tourists order based on the number of people. The North favors saltier flavors compared to the South—if you’re used to lighter tastes, you may wish to ask the server to go light on the salt before ordering.
Accommodation – Book Large Hotels in Advance
Shangri-La Hotel (Five-star): Deluxe room at 1,668 RMB per room; Press Building Hotel (Four-star): Standard room at 790 RMB per room; Budget hotels such as Home Inn and Harbin Xilong Hotel offer standard rooms between 200 and 300 RMB.
Friendly Reminder: Star-rated hotels have limited room availability during the Ice and Snow Festival, so even budget hotel guests are advised to make online reservations in advance. Considering transportation costs, priority should be given to hotels near Central Street or in Daoli District to save on transit expenses.
Transportation – Choose the Right Time for Taxis
Taking a taxi from Central Street to the Ice and Snow World usually doesn’t exceed 20 RMB; it’s recommended that tourists plan their time wisely. Buses that pass by the Ice and Snow World and the Snow Expo include the No. 13 Interval Line and No. 29, both costing 1 RMB. Self-driving tourists can park at the parking lots in front of the Ice and Snow World and Sun Island. Out-of-town visitors may also hire a car for sightseeing.
Friendly Reminder: The starting fare for taxis in Harbin is 8 RMB, with 1.9 RMB per kilometer, plus a 1 RMB fuel surcharge.
From the airport to downtown, prices are negotiable, typically around 120 RMB. Within the city, it’s recommended to use the meter.
Shopping – Large Malls Offer More Assurance
For local specialties, choose large stores. Northeastern black fungus, mushrooms, dried fruits, and various wild vegetables are widely available in Harbin. Interested tourists may purchase as desired; they can be found at local markets, supermarkets, and large malls.
Friendly Reminder: Northeastern specialty “Three Treasures of the Northeast”—ginseng, deer antler, and mink fur—are relatively high-priced items and should be purchased with caution. Harbin red sausage can be chosen in vacuum-sealed packaging for easier transport.
What should you pay attention to when traveling in Harbin during the Ice and Snow Festival? Traveling to this Ice City definitely requires some advance preparation. Check out the following service information—anything you need to be especially aware of? Complaint Hotline We hope you won’t need to use it, but you must know about it. In case of any issues, you can safeguard your rights in a timely manner, and our newspaper can also help you resolve difficulties.
Food – Dumplings and Northeastern Cuisine First Choice
Various scenic areas offer a range of northeastern specialty foods. In addition, Russian-style Western cuisine near Central Street is a good option, and the signature stews at Jiangbei Fishing Village are also quite famous. There are several chain restaurants in Harbin known for their dumplings, so visitors can choose according to their needs.
Friendly Reminder: Northern dishes come in large portions and often feature stews. It’s recommended that tourists order based on the number of people. The North favors saltier flavors compared to the South—if you’re used to lighter tastes, you may wish to ask the server to go light on the salt before ordering.
Accommodation – Book Large Hotels in Advance
Shangri-La Hotel (Five-star): Deluxe room at 1,668 RMB per room; Press Building Hotel (Four-star): Standard room at 790 RMB per room; Budget hotels such as Home Inn and Harbin Xilong Hotel offer standard rooms between 200 and 300 RMB.
Friendly Reminder: Star-rated hotels have limited room availability during the Ice and Snow Festival, so even budget hotel guests are advised to make online reservations in advance. Considering transportation costs, priority should be given to hotels near Central Street or in Daoli District to save on transit expenses.
Transportation – Choose the Right Time for Taxis
Taking a taxi from Central Street to the Ice and Snow World usually doesn’t exceed 20 RMB; it’s recommended that tourists plan their time wisely. Buses that pass by the Ice and Snow World and the Snow Expo include the No. 13 Interval Line and No. 29, both costing 1 RMB. Self-driving tourists can park at the parking lots in front of the Ice and Snow World and Sun Island. Out-of-town visitors may also hire a car for sightseeing.
Friendly Reminder: The starting fare for taxis in Harbin is 8 RMB, with 1.9 RMB per kilometer, plus a 1 RMB fuel surcharge.
From the airport to downtown, prices are negotiable, typically around 120 RMB. Within the city, it’s recommended to use the meter.
Shopping – Large Malls Offer More Assurance
For local specialties, choose large stores. Northeastern black fungus, mushrooms, dried fruits, and various wild vegetables are widely available in Harbin. Interested tourists may purchase as desired; they can be found at local markets, supermarkets, and large malls.
Friendly Reminder: Northeastern specialty “Three Treasures of the Northeast”—ginseng, deer antler, and mink fur—are relatively high-priced items and should be purchased with caution. Harbin red sausage can be chosen in vacuum-sealed packaging for easier transport.
Ice and Snow Travel Full Guide – Nearby Attractions Edition
For many tourists who find just viewing ice lanterns and snow sculptures not enough, we recommend some nearby attractions around Harbin. Through these excursions, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Harbin’s ice and snow culture, try their hand at winter activities, and discover the charm of Harbin’s wintry landscape.
Yabuli
Location: Approximately 20 km southeast of Yabuli Town, Shangzhi City, and 197 km from Harbin City.
Highlights: One of China’s top ski resorts.
Transportation: Direct trains K7047/K7048 from Harbin to Yabuli Scenic Area depart at 8:10 AM and return at 4:15 PM, with a one-way fare of 33 RMB.
Accommodation: Yabuli has multiple resorts for lodging. During the Ice and Snow Festival, the Yawanshi (Yabuli) International Convention & Exhibition Center Grand Hotel, located at Yabuli South Station, offers free shuttle service. For 2,000 RMB for four nights and five days, the package includes three-star standard triple room accommodation, three meals a day, skiing and lessons (with guaranteed instructor), snow tubing, KTV tickets, bathhouse entry, and access to a high mountain cableway.
Volga Manor
Location: 16 km along Harbin-Cheng Road at Ashi River in Chenggaozi Town.
Highlights: Cross-country skiing venue within the urban area. Offers over 10 outdoor ice and snow activities including sledding trains, alpine sledding, alpine snow tubing, and winter fishing.
Transportation: Take bus No. 340 or Suburban Route 8 from Tongxiang Shopping Mall in Xiangfang District, Harbin, transfer to Suburban Route 8 Branch 3 in Chenggaozi Town, and get off at Volga Manor; self-driving visitors can take Gongbin Road to Xingfu Town, then proceed through Chenggaozi Town and Xin Sanjia to reach Volga Manor.
Ticket Prices: Vary from 90 RMB to 498 RMB depending on whether meals and activities are included, with slightly higher prices on weekends and holidays. From Monday to Thursday every week, Harbin residents with second-generation ID cards can enjoy discounted A-ticket (150 RMB) and B-ticket (230 RMB) prices (excluding weekends and holidays).
Longzhu Erlong Mountain
Location: Erlongshan Scenic Area, Bin County.
Highlights: A ski resort close to the city center.
Transportation: The Longzhu Special Tourist Bus departs promptly at 8:30 AM from the main parking lot of the Dragon Tower during holidays, taking you directly to the resort in 60 minutes. Alternatively, take a long-distance bus from Hadong Station to the entrance of Erlongshan, then transfer to Bus No. 7 to reach the resort, a journey of about 100 minutes. For self-driving, leave the city via Nanzhi Road, exit the Harbin-Tongjiang Expressway at the Binzhou toll gate, turn left, and head to Erlongshan.
Ticket: One-day ski special package: 188 RMB/person (includes 2 hours of skiing, transportation, lunch, mountain entry ticket, and guide service fee).
Northeast Tiger Forest Park
Location: Songbei District.
Highlights: The Northeast Tiger Forest Park is home to the world’s largest population of purebred Siberian tigers bred and raised in captivity.
Transportation: Take Bus No. 85 from Harbin Highway Bridge and get off at the Tiger Park stop.
Ticket: Regular ticket 90 RMB/person; child ticket 45 RMB (for children between 1.2 m and 1.4 m, free for children under 1.2 m).