Location: Harbin
Top Things to do in Harbin
Top Restaurants in Harbin
- 1. Harbin DongFang JiaoZi Wang (ZhongYang Main Street)
- 2. McDonalds Central Street
- 3. Harbin Man Tang Hong Bifengtang Mei Shi (Zhong Yang Main Street)
- 4. Golden Hans (Guo Zhan)
- 5. Pizza Hut (XiDa Zhi Jie)
- 6. LaoChang ChunBing (ZhongYang Jie)
- 7. LaoChang ChunBing (SuoFeiYa)
- 8. DongFang JiaoZi Wang (SuoFeiYa)
- 9. DongFang JiaoZi Wang (ShangZhi Main Street)
- 10. MaoMao XunRou DaBing
Top 10 Things to do in Harbin, China
Discover the best top things to do in Harbin, China including Harbin Ice and Snow World, Sun Island (Tai Yang Dao), Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, Volga Manor, Unit 731 Museum, Zhaolin Park, Harbin Polarland, Harbin Snow Fair, Sophia Square, Ice Festival Harbin.
Restaurants in Harbin
1. Harbin Ice and Snow World
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Pamela528977 - Kiama, Australia
It was very cold, but well worth it. The sculptures were spectacular, and the ice blocks like glass. The lighting really created a wonderful atmosphere. You can't stay out in the cold too long and our mobiles died due to the cold. So keep your mobiles close to your body if you want to take photos.
It is a large exhibition and there are some activities to do as well if you can stay out in the cold long enough to do them. Fortunately they have some cafes and eateries inside the exhibition which you need to go into from time to time to thaw out.
2. Sun Island (Tai Yang Dao)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 707 reviews
Reviewed By Grux - Sunshine Coast, Australia
Sun Island (Tai Yang Dao), Harbin Ice and Snow World and Zhaolin Park are basically the main reason you visit Harbin in winter (well in our case anyway).
There are also random ice sculptures scattered around the city to see for free (mostly on Zhongyang Pedestrian Street).
Whilst the two big parks / attractions are pricey I believe as a one off I can suck it up.
It's great to see Zhaolin Park on your first night and build up to the bigger attractions.
We found 2 - 3 days enough for Harbin (depending on your interests).
Next day we visiited Sun Island (Tai Yang Dao) first to see the snow sculptures (best seen during the day) and then travelled by taxi to Harbin Ice and Snow World for 8 CBY as per the taxi meter.
Both attractions are on the same side of the river and hence best combined to visit consecutively as most hotels are on the other side (of the river). Not close enough to walk from one attraction to the other however.
We walked across the frozen river (30 - 40 mins) from Zhongyang Pedestrian Street to Sun Island (Tai Yang Dao). Buy some cheap crampons from a hawker on the edge of the river (step onto the river and start walking, they will approach you) and walk over to the cable car terminal. Follow the cable car and you will find a Sun Island entrance down the street behind that. A white minivan transported us from there to the main entrance (the staff directed us to it).
No need to buy tickets in advance.
We arrived around 11AM and there was no queue. It's good to arrive late morning on a sunny day if you are lucky. The snow sculptures really stood out in front of a blue sky.
Of course it is cold but if you dress to the conditions, have layers and good quality winter gear (gloves, beanie, jacket & thermal underwear etc) you will be fine. We were there for several hours and coped ok.
We did not find the hand and toe warmers (inserted inside clothing) of much use at such cold temperatures. They were not effective (perhaps the brand we used). They seemed to heat up when at a warmer temperature but not outside.
We did find that phone and camera batteries deplete quickly at such cold temperatures but if you keep them outside briefly for a shot and quickly returned to an inside pocket (say inside a jacket) they will last. If you walk around with it in your hand, it will be dead in no time.
A USB mobile charger / battery pack is a good idea in such cold climates to keep phones / cameras topped up if out for extended periods.
We stopped by one of the cafes to warm up briefly and refuel.
It was not overly crowded during our time there. The sculptures are all very spread out so it does not feel over-run with visitors.
I would highly recommend a trip to Harbin for a visit to this quirky attraction. We really enjoyed it and were amazed by the artistry.
3. Zhongyang Pedestrian Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 912 reviews
Reviewed By HolidayKat_86 - Melbourne, Australia
Walking along Zhongyang street you feel as though you could be walking a cobblestone street somewhere in Europe. It's especially beautiful during the winter when it's lit up with snow and ice sculptures. Make sure you stop at the little stall selling icecreams (it says 1906 on the sign). They're cheap and delicious!
4. Volga Manor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By Rosario g
volga manor is profuse with history and yet a fun place for enjoying snow and winter sports. the architecture and the buildings are beautiful. the locals are friendly and very helpful, though it helped to have a chinese speaking guide as they didn't speak english much.
5. Unit 731 Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By jdreynoldsjr - Louisville, Kentucky
You will be educated and you will be amazed. Very nice layout. Everything time you think you are done you stumbled upon another level/floor/exhibit. Some of it is very graphic i.e. items, The gift store consist of independent people so make sure you look at all displays or items before purchasing. Also, there are several additional buildings to visit beyond the "actual" museum. Also there is a exhibit in the process of being built. You will leave educated, sad, respectful of humankind and most importantly have a new perspective on human life and protecting citizens around the world. A must see and must do.
6. Zhaolin Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By Adomvatik - Tel Aviv
we went to the Lantern festival in the Zhaolin park after visiting the Ice festival, and sun Island snow show. It is non impressive and even repeating of the previous two attractions. If you don't have time this is a thing that you may bypass.
7. Harbin Polarland
Overall Ratings
4 based on 296 reviews
Harbin Polarland is the first polar amusement park in the world. It’s one of the four major scenic spots in Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. It is a national AAAA level scenic spots with unique themed entertainment in China. "Polar Whale Performers" perfectly shows the most famous polar animal stars with seven themed Performances at a world level. It has an unique polar beluga subaqueous show and the top two female animal trainers in China. They both create a world-touching legend ——The Heart Of Ocean! The little Antarctic Penguin Mumble who was the first born in inland city all over the world is a happy angel. He is also Harbin tourism mascot. The Chinese funniest polar bear brothers Tangji and Hede,Russian walrus Eno and Eva,magic star sea lion Billy and his super star team, will present a fantastic polar performance for you.
Reviewed By griffinpaul - Calgary, Canada
Stopped here with my tour guide. Still had Christmas theme going even though it was January 7. Lots to see and learn. I was surprised how big it was and how many different animals/fishes they had to offer. The whales were the best part, complete with the Titanic music theme. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the enclosures are too small for the animals in my opinion. Especially the polar bears - they need more space. I worry for the animals.
8. Harbin Snow Fair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By Anna T - Shanghai, China
took short taxi ride (40 kuai from tiger park). Entrance tickets 330 kuai. Easy to buy on the spot.
Snow fair is great, some of the snow statues are truly amazing. Huge ice ring in the middle, can have some fun sliding around on the bike (one seat bike 50 kuai + 50 kuai deposit). There are also some smaller slides to have fun.
9. Sophia Square
Overall Ratings
4 based on 464 reviews
Reviewed By Tolu B
nothing special about the sqare. spend 10 mins outside, take pictures of the church from the outside and walk to the right (facing the church) to pay for a ticket to go to the church. on the left is a ign that leads to an undergeround McDonalds and shopping mall
10. Ice Festival Harbin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Harbin, the capital of China's frigid Heilongjiang province in the northest, plays host to China's biggest ice sculpture festival every January. The event is rooted in the region's ancient tradition of ice lantern making, and the modern-day incarnation of these lighted vessels are giant, elaborate scupltures made of ice, plastic and colored lights. Many tourists are unprepared for just how cold the region can get in winter, but the temperatures are perfect for allowing these grandiose ice exhibits from local and international artists to survive outdoors. Winter sports such as ice skating and sledding are popular side attractions.
Reviewed By yipjcs88 - Hong Kong, China
I have longed for visiting the ice festival and have managed to find time to see it. It was absolutely amazing to see such a huge area decorated with numerous ice Castles, sculptures, etc. and beautifully lit up at night. There were many visitors due to its huge popularity among the local and overseas visitors. The weather was really cold at close to -30 degrees C but walking busily around such a huge area made the body warm. There were a couple of issues. First, the camera battery would not last more than a few shots (keeping the camera warm before use could not solve the problem as the weather chills the camera within a minute when shooting). Bring many batteries and keep them warm inside your jacket. Second, the exit area could be a danger unless one takes special care; it is likely that you wear snow-grips (rubber braces with metal studs) on your boots to avoid slipping on snow, but the exit area is indoors and not the whole pathway is covered with carpet, hence one could slip where there is no carpet. The place is definitely worth seeing despite the trouble. Just to mention that 2 ladies in my tour-group slipped on ice in the external areas and their wrists ere quite badly hurt. It is critical to wear snow grips as soon as one steps outside the car and even then do not step on any transparent ice patches.
