Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: What to Do & Travel Tips

The winter every year turns Harbin into a dazzling wonderland of ice and snow. At this time, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, one of the most spectacular winter events in the world, will be held here. Running from January to February, the festival showcases massive ice sculptures, intricate snow carvings, and challenging ice activities that attract visitors from all over.

In this ultimate guide, we'll cover key facts, top activities, and essential tips for making the most of your Harbin Ice Festival experience.

Facts about Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Beautiful ice sculptures at Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

• Date: January 5th every year. The celebrations typically start from early January to late February. However, exhibits often open in late December and may extend into March, depending on the weather.
• Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
• First Held: 1963 (officially since 1985)
• Highlights: Massive ice sculptures, snow statues, and intricate light displays.
• Ticket Price: Ranging from 240 RMB to 800 RMB (34.2 USD to 114.3 USD) for a ticket of Harbin Ice and Snow World; 198 RMB (about 28 USD) for Snow Sculpture Exhibit in Sun Island

The Harbin Ice Festival, short for Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, is one of the world's largest and most spectacular winter events, transforming the city of Harbin in northeast China into a dazzling winter wonderland.

Note: Standard tickets for Ice and Snow World can be purchased through the official website or WeChat. If you're interested in VIP tickets, they cost 800 RMB (around 113 USD) and can be reserved up to a week in advance. VIP tickets allow you to skip the lines for the most popular attractions (ice slides, Ferris wheel, and ice ballet show). Cancellations can be requested at any time without incurring fees. If you need to reschedule, you must first cancel the original booking and then make a new one.

Top Things to Do at the Harbin Ice Festival

1. Admire the Ice Sculptures

Splendid ice castle built with ice bricks

Harbin's outdoor winter temperatures are very low, like a natural freezer, preventing ice and snow from melting. This makes it ideal for creating and preserving various ice and snow sculptures. Thus, the first thing to do during the Harbin Ice Festival is explore massive, illuminated ice castles, palaces, and intricate sculptures. They are designed to look like global landmarks, mythical figures, and imaginative scenes.

2. Take Part in Winter Activities

Curling: One of the ice activities

• Ice Slides: Enjoy exhilarating ice slides at Ice and Snow World or other festival areas. These large slides are made entirely of ice and are a hit with both kids and adults.
• Curling: It's a famous winter sport played on ice. In a curling game, you will slide heavy granite stones towards a target area divided into four concentric circles, as shown in the picture above.
• Ice Biking: Try riding a bike specially designed for the ice on the frozen Songhua River - a fun and unique way to navigate the ice.
• Dog or Car Sledding: Experience the thrill of being pulled by a team of huskies across the snowy terrain, a traditional winter activity in Harbin.
• Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides: Enjoy a more leisurely ride on a horse-drawn sleigh while taking in the winter scenery.

3. Enjoy Figure Skating Shows

Various performances take place on ice stages, including ice acrobatics, figure skating shows, and traditional Chinese performances, such as "Yangge Dance". These shows are often held in Ice and Snow World and other key festival areas.

Where to Celebrate the Harbin Ice Festival

In daylight, Ice sculptures are clear like crystal

During the Ice and Snow Festival, the entire city is filled with a festive atmosphere. Overall, the celebrations in the following three places are the most grand and worth seeing.

1. Harbin Ice and Snow World

• Address: Songbei Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin
• Transportation: Take Metro No. 2 and get off at Harbin Ice and Snow World Station
• Ticket Price: from 240 RMB to 800 RMB (34.2 USD to 114.3 USD)
• Business Hours: 11 am to 10 pm

This is the main attraction of the Harbin Ice Festival. This massive park covers over 14.82 acres and features giant ice castles, colorful ice sculptures, and snow buildings illuminated by thousands of LED lights. Each year, different landmarks from around the world are recreated in ice, alongside imaginative and artistic ice carvings. For a thrilling experience, you may try the ice slide here, which is the longest one in the world.

2. Zhaolin Park

• Address: Zhaolin Street, Daoli District, Harbin
• Transportation: Take Bus No. 64 or 94 and get off at Daolisandao Street Station
• Ticket Price: Free
• Business Hours: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm

Zhaolin Park hosts the Ice Lantern Garden Party, which showcases smaller, intricately carved ice lanterns and sculptures illuminated with colorful lights. This area offers a more traditional and local experience, celebrating Harbin's ice culture.

3. Sun Island

• Address: No. 3 Jingbei Road, Songbei District, Harbin
• Transportation: Take Metro No. 2 and get off at Sun Island Station
• Ticket Price: 198 RMB (about 28 USD)
• Business Hours: 9 am to 4 pm

This area is known for its spectacular snow sculptures. Here, artists from around the world come to create massive snow sculptures, some towering over 20 meters high. The detailed artistry and sheer scale make it a popular attraction.

How Many Days Is Enough for the Harbin Ice Festival

Harbin Ice and Snow World

If you just want to explore Harbin Ice and Snow World, half a day is enough. In winter, it gets dark early in Harbin, usually by around 4:30 to 5:00 pm. We recommend entering the park around 3:00 pm so you can first enjoy the snow-covered ice world in daylight and avoid the crowds. Once it gets dark, the lights inside the ice sculptures will turn on, creating a spectacular view against the night sky.

However, the Harbin Ice Festival is not just about ice sculptures. If time permits, take an excursion to surrounding places. Generally, it takes about 5 to 7 days to get around the highlights in Harbin.

Central Street is one of Harbin's iconic attractions. As you walk along this street, rich with ancient European style, you'll reach the Flood Control Monument at the end, built to commemorate the people of Harbin overcoming the catastrophic flood of 1957. Nearby is St. Sophia Cathedral, a Byzantine-style Orthodox church and another landmark of Harbin.

If you're looking for more natural scenery, you can explore Xuexiang, also called "Snow Town", where you can escape the city's hustle and bustle and admire vast forests blanketed in snow. Alternatively, head to Yabuli Ski Resort, the largest and most advanced snow sports facility in China, offering top-tier conditions for winter sports enthusiasts.

To fully experience the Ice Festival without any hassle, booking a customized tour is the most convenient option. We'll tailor your trip to meet all your needs, from private cars and guides to accommodation arrangements, ensuring you have an unforgettable journey in Harbin.

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Harbin Ice Festival Travel Tips

1. Take a power bank: Harbin's winter temperatures are extremely low, and to prevent the ice sculptures from melting, the temperature at the main festival sites is often even colder. In such freezing conditions, electronic devices like phones and cameras tend to drain their batteries faster. Therefore, we recommend bringing a power bank to ensure your devices stay charged when needed.

2. Wear warmly: Temperatures in Harbin during the festival can plummet to -25°C (-13°F) or lower. The temperature at night is even lower than in the daytime. Wear thermal layers, thick winter jackets, hats, gloves, and waterproof boots to stay warm. Heat packs can be useful for extra warmth.

3. Book accommodations and tickets early: The festival draws a huge number of visitors, so it's important to book hotels well in advance. Opt for a hotel near the attractions, especially in Daoli District near Central Street, for convenience.

4. Take taxis or exclusive cars if possible: Harbin Ice and Snow World operates late into the night, and the ice sculptures are beautifully illuminated after dark. However, Harbin's buses stop running around 9 pm. And although there is a subway station at the entrance, the lines don't cover all areas. If you want to fully enjoy the night views, we recommend booking a taxi or private car in advance. We can assist you with the arrangements - simply contact us with your request.

Get Ready for Your Winter Trip to Harbin

Whether it's finding the best festival spots or ensuring a seamless, comfortable journey, we're here to create a tailored adventure just for you. Write to trip@odynovotours.com for an unforgettable winter escape to Harbin!