Harbin Travel Tips

Harbin Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

The best time to enjoy ice, snow and the relative activities is from December to February of the next year, when the weather is freezing cold.

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival usually run on December 20 every year. On January 5, it's formally open to the public. The people living in Harbin have the custom of visiting relatives. So, the first five days during the Spring Festival is relatively cold and cheerless. You'd better go to Harbin during the holidays of the Christmas Day or after January 5th. In this way, you won't miss the greatest pleasure of Harbin. More on Harbin Weather.

Keeping Warm in Winter

In Harbin, the weather is cold and dry in winter. It is necessary to wear down jackets, woollen pants, snow boots, hats, scarves and gloves. Because the weather is very dry, it is suggested that you wear a mask to protect your nose and keep off the dust.

Tourists can buy all the winter outfits in Harbin, and at very good prices. For safety concerns, it is not suggested to wear or buy outfits in white color, because with snow all over the city, especially at ski resorts, white clothes might make it not easy for others to notice you and cause possible collision.

Hand warmers, foot warmers and heating pads are available in stores and supermarkets, and at very low price. They are disposable small packets which produce heat, when stuck to (never directly onto the skin because this can cause burn) specific parts of the body, such as knees, belly and feet, and the heat can last about 10 – 12 hours.

When using electronic products outdoors, such as camera, mobile phone, PSP, or MP3, please try to keep them from the cold, and put them in the pocket or small bag whenever you finish using them, so that the battery will keep working. Taking one or two extra batteries is advisable.

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival only started about 10 years ago, and it is already one of world's four biggest such ice and snow festivals, along with the famous ones in Sapporo, Norway and Quebec. The festival starts from December and lasts for about one month.

During the festival, tourists can enjoy the beautiful snow scenery and sculptures, and participate in all sorts of ice activities. Performance of winter swimming at Songhua River draws much attention. The highlights of the festival include Ice Lantern Festival held in Zhaolin Park, snow sculptures at Sun Island Scenic Spot, and ice sculptures at Grand World of Ice and Snow.

Useful Information

Banks

  • Heilongjiang Branch, Bank of China
    Address: 19 Hongjun Street, Nangang District
  • Zhaolin Branch, Bank of China
    Address: 37 Zhaolin Street, Daoli District
  • Jingu Branch, Bank of China
    Address: 185 Central Avenue, Daoli District

Hospitals

  • Harbin Children's Hospital
    Address: 57 Youyi Road, Daoli DistrictFirst
  • Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical Hospital
    Address: 31 Youzheng Street, Nangang District
  • Harbin First Hospital
    Address: 151 Diduan Street, Daoli District

Post Office

  • Songhua Branch, China Post
    Address: 15 Songhuajiang Street
  • Nangang Branch, China Post
    Address: 51, Jianshe Street, Nangang District

Emergency Number

  • 120 – Fire/ambulance/police
Hi, I'm Candice Song
I updated this article on April 19, 2012
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Q: KEVINLOKE Asked on 2013-01-15 Reply
kindly advise which airline fly directly from SINGAPORE to HARBIN?
Dear Sir or Madam, There is no direct flight from Singapore to Harbin. You could take a flight to Beijing at first, then take a train or a flgiht to Harbin. Please check the information about the flight or train on our website. Flight: http://www.chinahighlights.com/china-flights/ Train: http://www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains/ Lussie Lu Replied on 2013-01-15
Q: Jim Asked on 2013-01-12 Reply
How about going during spring festival? We will only visit for 3days/2nights. Would Feb 14-16 be a good time to go, or is it too late?

Hi Jim, the Spring Festival in 2013 starts from Feb.10. It usually lasts for 15 days. So  Feb 14-16 is not too late. It is in the middle of the festival.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-01-14
Q: Gil Asked on 2013-01-05 Reply
I''ll be visiting Harbin by the end of January....I''ve done some reading and i think i can get most of the cold winter clothing.The only thing i don''t have are proper shoes or boots, the "problem" is i''m size 47-48 (13 in US sizes), do you think i can get these sizes in harbin?any other recommendation? heat packs for feet?
Hi Jan, I think you could buy the shoes as your size in Harbin because the residents there are taller than the persons live in south of China. Lily Lee Replied on 2013-01-05
Q: Eric Asked on 2012-11-25 Reply
The festival formally opens on January 5th. 1 There are 2 or 3 sites to visit? Are they all open between Dec 28 to Jan 1?3. Sounds like the ticket is about 300 yuan for Ice & Snow World. So, I am wondering if it''s not formally open, will I be able to get in? In short, am I missing out on anything by going from Dec 28 to Jan 1?Thanks!

Hi Eric, the festival opens on Jan.5 to Feb.28. They are not all open between Dec 28 to Jan 1. You can get in, but you may miss something. Why not stay a little longer?

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-27
Hi Whitney, I need to return to work on Jan 2. So, the 3 sites will open between Dec 28 to Jan 1? I heard it opens from Dec 23. Will I be able to buy the admission tickets on the spot / at the front gate? Eric guest Replied on 2012-11-27
Hi Eric,sorry for missing your information. Normally it is open on Jan 5 every year. But because of the weather, it may informally open from mid December this year. You can buy the admission tickets on the spot / at the front gate. Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-12-21
Q: fioon Asked on 2012-11-23 Reply
Hey guys ! i love to go Harbin so much !! but the weather -40 really scare me off ..i been to Jungfrau @ switzerland, i can only stay 1min outside .. so can i still fit for Harbin in December?

Hi Fioon, the average temperature in Harbin in winter could be -25 °C (-13 °F) to -13 °C (8 °F). I don't know if it fits you or not.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-23
Hi whitney,can i know which dosmestic flight good for travel fr guangzhou to harbin? Thx! guest Replied on 2012-11-23
Hi Fioon, there are CZ6262, ZH9675, HU7159, etc. You can check all the flights here: http://www.chinahighlights.com/china-flights/ Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-24