The opening ceremony of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival will be held on January 5, 2027. Harbin Ice and Snow World will open earlier, expected around December 20, 2026.
Worried about how to stay warm in temperatures of minus 20 or 30 degrees? Concerned about waiting for a ride in the icy snow? Afraid of missing out on the true culture of Northern China? Leave all these worries to us.
Our recommended Harbin tours below are designed to help you start to plan a memorable winter vacation in Northeast China.
Feel free to tell us your requirements and interests — our experienced travel advisors are ready to tailor-make your dream trip.
With China Highlights, your travel will be:
- FlexibleTravel at your own pace and make last-minute changes.
- ReliableWith over 20 years of experience, we provide 24/7 private advisor assistance.
- No obligatory visits to tourist shopsWe do not organize visits to tourist shops unless you request them.
Harbin Ice Festival Private Tours
Authentic Homestay, Snowy Forest Trek, Dumpling Making
Rime Landscape, 5s Ski Resort, Hot Spring, Snow Town
Sun Island, Foodie Tour, Ice & Snow World
Beiji Village, Beihong Village, Aurora Borealis, Volga Manor
Chinese-Korean Cuisine, North Korea views, Shenyang Palace, Mt. Changbai
Twilight in Snow Town, Jingpo Lake, Winter Ice Fishing, Rime Rafting
Great Wall, Forbidden City, Ice & Snow World, Siberian Tiger Park
China's Hokkaido, Winter Carnival, Ice & Snow World, Diamond Sea
Harbin Polarland, Yabuli Club Med, Ice & Snow World, Ice Sculpture Carving
Volgar Manor, Beginner-Friendly Ski Resort, Culinary Adventure, Ice & Snow World
Changbaishan Wanda International Resort, Volcano Hot Spring, Ski at Night
All-inclusive experience at Yabuli Club Med
Travelers Love China Highlights
Explore Beyond Harbin: Winter Wonders Across China
While Harbin offers a magical snowy experience, you can also explore the warmth of China's highlands like Yunnan and Tibet or enjoy the mild winter in the south like Guangzhou, Chaoshan, and Xiamen.
Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, and Lijiang
Chaozhou, Shantou, Jieyang, and Meizhou
Guangzhou, Chaozhou, Shantou, and Jieyang
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lhasa, Nyingchi, and Bome
FAQ about Harbin Winter Trip
1. What are the main venues for the Ice and Snow Festival?
The Ice and Snow World venue, the Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo, and the Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Festival venue are the three main venues for Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.
2. What can I do in December before the festival?
Before the opening of the Ice and Snow Festival venues, huge snow and ice sculptures are being created in the middle of December. As the venues are closed before late December, you are unable to see the sculpting process up close. However, there are still many other places to see...
At Central Street, you can see how people make (smaller) snow sculptures if lucky enough. Take the warm shuttle bus to Siberian Tigers Park, and you can see Siberian tigers in the outdoors. Have a skiing day or holiday, soak in a hot spring… Although the Ice and Snow Festival doesn't start yet, you can still have fun in Harbin!
3. How to protect my digital products?
Batteries are affected easily by low temperatures. When outside, put your cell phone and camera in a warm bag or inside your coat. If you plan to take a lot of pictures, do bring a spare battery as batteries run out quickly in low temperatures.