Name: Winter in the North: Harbin Ice Lanterns and Hiking
Brand: WildChina
SKU: 1
Price: ¥NUMBER
Availability: InStock

Nestled in China’s chilliest, most northeastern province of Heilongjiang, Harbin, the provincial capital, is a multicultural hub, boasting a unique confluence of Chinese and Eastern European cultures.

About this Journey

When wandering past the emerald domes of the Church of St. Sophia and along Harbin’s main thoroughfare, one would be forgiven for thinking they’ve been miraculously transported to the streets of Saint Petersburg. When it was founded in 1898, Harbin’s population primarily consisted of Russian and Jewish immigrants. Although the European citizenry diminished through the years, the remnants of the city’s international past live on in its architecture and folklore.

What we love

Getting lost among the gargantuan snow sculptures at the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo
Wandering the historic and multicultural streets of Harbin while admiring some elaborate architecture
Hiking from the tranquil Snow Valley to the postcard-perfect Snow Town

Map

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Harbin

Step off the plane in Harbin and meet your local WildChina guide in the airport arrivals hall. They’ll be waiting to welcome you and will have your driver on standby, ready to whisk you off to your hotel for check in. • Explore the winter wonderland at Ice and Snow World. Don’t forget to don your warmest clothes!

Day 2Harbin

Wander past the remnants of Harbin’s Russian heritage as you walk along Lao Daowai. The historic district’s timeworn Baroque buildings (with nods to Chinese design) will leave you feeling like you’re in Europe instead of China. • Try out curling under the instruction of a professional coach. • Marvel at the frozen masterpieces inside the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo.

Day 3Harbin - Snow Valley

Hop on a 5-hour ride to Snow Valley. • We will stay at a local guesthouse, where we can enjoy some typical Dongbei (Northeast) atmosphere, and a simple dinner.

Day 4Snow Valley - Snow Town

With your WildChina guide, go on a hike from Snow Valley to the Snow Town for about 4 to 6 hours (subject to weather).

Day 5Snow Town to Harbin

Ride from Snow Town back to Harbin, which takes around 6 hours. • If time permits, stroll along Central Street of Harbin through Harbin’s historic quarter with multicultural influences. • If time permits, visit the Church of St. Sophia and peruse the collection of images and artifacts depicting the lives of foreigners in old Harbin, including its vivacious Russian and Jewish communities.

Day 6Depart Harbin

Your WildChina guide will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.

Hotel

Shangri-La Songbei, Harbin

5 Stars

Located on the banks of the Songhua River (the source of the ice for the Ice and Snow Festival), Shangri-La Songbei, Harbin is your elegant retreat in the heart of the vibrant city.

Photos

Details

What’s Included

Services of an English-speaking WildChina local guide
Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water

What’s Excluded

International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
Travel and medical insurance
Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
Expenses of a personal nature
Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers

Next Steps

How do I book this tour?

Please use the inquiry form on the right-hand side of this page or email info@wildchina.com to get started. One of our travel designers will be in touch accordingly to start the process of planning your custom China trip!

What is the payment schedule?

1. Deposit:

Once you are ready to book, a $500 USD per person planning fee is required to begin reserving your arrangements. This will go towards your total trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount.

2. Full payment:

Full trip payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you may be asked to make the full payment straight away.

Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer, WeChat or Alipay.

What is your cancellation policy?

See our full booking conditions here.

Why WildChina

We’re on the ground with you

During the planning phase, our team of specialist travel advisors based in China will design every detail of your trip with you. When you’re on the ground, they will then orchestrate your entire journey, maintaining close contact with each of your guides throughout your trip to ensure you’re having the best journey possible. With offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we are committed to ensuring that your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end.

Your trip, your way

Flexibility is our highest-ranking compliment. With over two decades of experience, we’ve run just about every type of journey you can imagine. No request is too strange, too extreme, or too exclusive. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life.

We embody passion

WildChina’s guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a-lifetime moments all across China.

The little things, the big picture

We firmly believe that supporting local people and economies allows you to experience the soul of a destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s cultures. From watching artisans hand-make shoes in Yunnan, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm in Fujian, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.

Winter in the North: Harbin Ice Lanterns and Hiking

Have questions?