Ice castle from Harbin international ice and snow festival

Ice Festival of Harbin Tour: Sculptures, Snow, and Serenity

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

China

Places Visited

Beijing, Harbin

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Experience fascinating wonders amid the winter’s most beautiful elements during this unique 7-day tour of Harbin and Beijing. Witness pristine white flakes exquisitely dress the Middle Kingdom’s greatest landmarks as you walk along a stunning snow-topped Great Wall and admire the frosted peaks of the enchanting Forbidden Palace in Beijing. Let mesmerizing ice sculptures consume your ice-cold eyes before witnessing stunning Siberian tigers in their beautiful snow-drizzled surroundings, amid the...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Admire the astounding ice and snow sculptures on show during the world’s most famous ice and snow festival in Harbin
  • Witness Beijing’s finest landmarks amid pure winter beauty
  • Learn the unique history of Harbin and revel in delight at its inimitable architectural beauty
  • Gain fascinating insight into Beijing’s traditional way of life when touring centuries-old courtyard homes  
  • Witness the endangered Siberian tiger amid beautiful snow-drenched fields
  • Experience magical winter wonderlands as locals skate and sled on frozen rivers, create wonderful ice sculptures and play delightful music 

Detailed Description

Choosing which time of year to travel is a vital ingredient in planning a vacation. Most popular months for tourists to frequent China are September to October and April to May: this is largely due to the comfortable climate and bright colors that nature produces during spring. But here’s a secret: winter is uniquely wondrous in the Middle Kingdom. So get those gloves on, slip on your woolly hat, wrap yourself up in that thick winter jacket, and reap the astonishing rewards that this season’s months hold during this tour of historic Beijing and the ‘Ice City’ that is Harbin. Enjoy private tours, expert professional guidance, luxury accommodation and a taste of local delicacies as you make some unforgettable memories.

Explore Beijing’s delights robed in winter beauty: stroll across a snow-covered Tiananmen Square, an area displaying best the pure patriotism within the country. Feel an icy breeze whirl around this beautiful city square, that is perhaps the most culturally and politically significant landmark in China. Proceed to the Forbidden City, an enchanting imperial palace, and witness tremendous man-made beauty enriched as white flakes eclipse its rooftops and surrounding trees. Twist, turn and tour around picturesque courtyards and narrow alleyways, where you’ll get a glimpse into the everyday lives of locals. Wander the fascinating Temple of Heaven Park and admire the stunning centuries-old buildings where emperors frequented to worship Heaven. Bargain your way around the Panjiayuan Flea Market, one of the largest and most popular fairs in the country - featuring an unbelievable amount of antiques, decorations, paintings, crafts and other goods. Feel your feet sink into delicate white flakes as you take each step across the wondrous Great Wall, while embracing its surreal snow-glittered surroundings.

Take to the unique Harbin. Once under rule by Russia, you will see the significant influence this period had as stunning Russian-style architecture lines the city’s streets. Nicknamed the ‘Ice City’, Harbin is one of the northernmost cities in China and its extreme winters help make it the uniquely beautiful area that it is. Admire the beauty and revel in delight as the International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival comes to life in the parks around the region: stunningly detailed ice sculptures replicating historic buildings and famous heroes create magic as the night sky descends and a sea of lights ignite their beauty.

Witness the elegant Songhua Lake as beautiful deer wander its frozen edges and winter activities including skating and skiing take place on the icy surface. Watch the stunning Ice Lantern Garden Party in Zhaolin Park, where both local and international craftsmen showcase their exquisite talents while the surrounding mountains and lakes paint a picture of perfection. Enjoy the magical scenes in the city center: former Russian church, St Sophia Cathedral, is truly wondrous as snow sits on its peaks and orange backlights provide a beautiful glow that projects across the adjacent city square. Visit the enchanting Jile Temple; admire rare Siberian tigers and partake in ice sledding and skating before your spectacular trip concludes. 

Starting Price

$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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