Harbin Travel Guide

China's 10th largest city, Harbin, serves as an economic, political and cultural center of the northeast. The city is internationally renowned for its winter festivities and rich culture that reflects its close ties with neighboring Russia.

Worth It?: Harbin is a captivating city and definitely worth the trip.
What to Do: attend one of the ice and snow festivals, enjoy natural aspects of the city, survey the variety of architectural styles.
Best Time to Go: the city can be enjoyed throughout the year, although winters are bitterly cold with sub-zero temperatures.
How Long?: Three days during any season is adequate.
Trivia: Harbin was considered the fashion capital of China in the 1920s as it hijacked new designs from Paris and Moscow that were destined for Shanghai.

Harbin is capital of Heilongjiang Province, which is the most northeasterly area of China. The shape of the province resembles a swan and Harbin's position at the base of the neck has led to the city gaining the nickname 'the pearl on the swan's neck'.

Harbin boasts excellent infrastructure and attracts visitors all year round. Winter festivities are the main attraction, but summer paints a new and equally stunning scene. As the ice melts, Harbin blossoms into a picturesque summer retreat. Mild temperatures allow visitors to enjoy sunshine without suffering blistering heat.

Travel to Harbin - Getting There

Daily flights between Harbin and Beijing take approximately 2 hours. Harbin's international airport connects the city with over 50 domestic and international destinations including the US, England and Japan. The airport is just over 30kms outside the city and can be reached by shuttle bus or taxi. Trains from two city based stations depart to Beijing and Shanghai daily.

Harbin Things to Do

Harbin Attractions

Harbin Ice and Snow World

an impressive ice art exhibition featuring marvels such as illuminated full size buildings carved out of ice, and ice based sports including ice rock climbing and ice golf.

Central Street

is a working museum showcasing the wide range of architectural styles employed throughout the city. Baroque and Byzantine buildings sit next to Russian bakeries with French fashion houses across the way.

Sun Island Scenic Resort

a pleasant setting to appreciate the surrounding nature and wildlife.

St Sophia Church

this Russian Orthodox Church took nine years to build and now houses a museum showcasing the multi-cultural architecture of the city.

Side trips from Harbin

Siberian Tiger Park: this sanctuary for endangered Siberian tigers is the largest national park in the world for this species and is a fine example of ecotourism in China.
Yabuli International Ski Resort: the largest ski resort in the country is divided into two areas; a competitive section and a leisure skiing section.

Events

Harbin Ice Festival: a vibrant collection of art ice work by sculptors from around the world exhibited in a number of locations around the city in January.