Mood Board
Harbin Ice and Snow World
The Ice and Snow Festival provides visitors with a selection of winter fun including sliding down ice slides, riding ice bicycles, gliding on ice rink, trying air cushion skiing and going through ice mazes. We can also overlook the entire park from the huge Ferris wheel, which is no less impressive than Elsa's castle.
Luxury Stay: The Ritz-Carlton
Harbin The Ritz-Carlton has an ideal location, supraliminal rooms, the best services, fine dining, and quick access to winter activities such to Ice and Snow World. It provides luxurious rooms and suites, exquisite food, friendly service and access to Harbin main scenic attractions and this is suitable to high-class tourists. Its superior stays (e.g. spas, fitness centres) and details also increase the high-quality stay experience.
（枣泥酥，2025）
（枣泥酥，2025）
Mid-range Stay: Crowne Plaza
(IHG, n.d.)
Crowne Plaza Harbin Songbei Sunac has luxurious amenities that tend to be convenient: it is free in terms of daily self-parking, indoor heated swimming pool, and 3 restaurants on its territory, as well as the room/delivery services offered. With 415 rooms (including 2 handicapped ones) connecting option, late check-out, multilingual reception (Chinese/English), free filtered water and business facilities, e.g., printing/fax. Being a plastic-free hotel, it strikes a balance of comfort, convenience and sustainability of various guests.
(IHG, n.d.)
Budget Stay: Junyi Hotel
(Trip.com Group, n.d.)
Personally, I was accommodated in this hotel in Harbin, and it has obvious advantages: it is not too expensive and has exceptional value. It is considerate service, as the employees go to the extent of assisting with laundry. The most interesting point is their warmth: they are enthusiastic, caring, and responsible. Besides, the local food restaurants around are just too tasty, and it is very comfortable and pleasant to stay there.
(Trip.com Group, n.d.)
What to Eat?
(Holy又在吃了!, 2025)
(立逐己, 2025)
Iron Pot Stew
One of the most famous type of Northeastern China's dish, In most instances, the addition of meats (streaky pork or pork ribs) into the pot is followed by the inclusion of in-season items such as potatoes, Chinese cabbage, kidney beans, and vermicelli. As it is being braised, the aroma of ingredients is imbued into the steam. Associated with the pot are a ring of corn or white flour buns, usually glued around the sides, which absorb all the soup with the heat of the pot. The meat is tender and the vegetables are soft when served and cakes are flavorful. It will fit a group of people sitting round and also, the atmosphere is warm and homely and the every one gets a feeling of togetherness.
Harbin BBQ
The barbecue in Harbin is deeply embedded into the local cuisine of Northeast China and it is full of local flavor. In addition to the usual grilled skewers, it has some special local foods which are grilled silkworm pupae which are rich in proteins, and their texture when they are grilled leaves an impeccable impression. There are also regular appearances of special pickled cabbage (suan cai) - fermented into a tangy taste, it cuts the greasiness and grilled suan cai provides a different taste. Moreover, there is grilled sticky corn, sweet and tender, and it imparts the simple warmth of the black soil of Northeast China to enable people to enjoy the special feeling of the barbecue in Harbin.
Self Service Boxed meals
The boxed meals of northeast of China are comforting and down-to-earth foods that reflect the generosity spirit in the region, the boxed foods have conquered people with their generous portions, tasty flavor, as well as convenience. It is so affordable (10 to 20 yuan to be full) and you can taste it all, simple and home-style, not fancy but rich with spices the braised dishes, fragrant with spices the stir-fries and even the simple scrambled eggs with tomatoes are filled with that same satisfying wok hei (haze-of-the-wok aroma). The aged and young people are satisfied with them.
(我就是小飞龙, 2025)
(派大包, 2024)
Wandashan Ice Cream
Wandashan Ice Cream, a company that started in Heilongjiang, has acquired a reputation because of its preparation using fresh milk. Its milk is self operated pasture and the milk fat content is more than 4.2. Black Land Trio is the name of the signature that will be mixed fresh milk, blue honeysuckle berries and wild honey and will be of a distinct flavor. The special flavors such as the wild blueberry and Wuchang rice are also available.
Northeast Spicy Hot Pot
The Northeast Malatang is very different, and they are served in bowls as the Sichuan-Chongquing one. The pork or beef bones which are rich in umami are simmered slowly in the soup base. The trick is the addition of sesame paste, once it is mixed, the soup will be thick, fragrant without spicy and do not cause any problem to the elderly and the children. It is composed of diverse ingredients and contains vegetables, meat, meatballs and staples; one meal serves as a full meal. The vinegar and minced garlic are also popular ingredients in people of Northeast China, and they tend to have them together with fried skewers and soda.
(你爱吃的刘总, 2023)
Guobaorou (Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet)
It was called "Guobaorou" (or literally, pot-exploded meat) which was developed by Zheng Xingwen during the Guangxu reign to serve the foreigners. The Pork tenderloin, which is cut into very thin slices, is marinated, fried in starch paste and twice; the first time just to put the shape, and the second time to crisp it up. It is then finely sautéed with a sauce of sugar, white vinegar and tomato sauce and topped by cilantro and green onions. This dish is made of gold and is crispy as it cooks on the outside and tender inside; it is sweet and sour.
(布布鲁, 2025)
Hongzhuan Street Morning Market
Basics: Appropriately named, Basic, Daoli District (adjacent to Central Street) is just over 500m long and was established in 2004 (then known as Tongjiang Street Morning Market), has 286 stalls.
Hours: 4:30-9:30 AM (peak 6-8 AM).
Highlights: Northeast snacks popular, which include fried cakes (rose red bean filling) by Yin and sticky rice buns, Harbin red sausage, frozen pears. Sells winter clothing as well such as cotton jackets. A visitor center is provided with charging facilities, hot water and luggage storage.
(清风dream, 2025)
Daoli Food Market
Basics: Founded in 1902, one of the 13 best Chinese food markets. 13,000㎡ one floor (ground 1 basement floor) at 57 Shangzhi Street, Daoli District.
Hours: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM (there is not much hurry to early arrive).
Highlights: Diverse delicacies pumpkin cakes, honey bread, roast duck, etc. Best as a souvenir: Qiulin red sausage, Lao Ha finger sausage and Wuchang rice (shippable). AC and freezers in a comfortable inner area.
Tips and Reminders
Travel Tips for Harbin
1. Electronic Protection: The temperature in Harbin in winter is very low and thus can easily put the phone out of operation. Phone warmers and additional power banks are essential to stay connected and should be brought in case of running out of battery when spending time outside and need to use navigation since in such a case, the phone needs to be insulated.
2. Shoe Choice: When it is out of doors and snow and icy pavements are around, the danger of falling is greater. Use snow boots non-slip, waterproof shoes to eliminate falls and inconveniences caused by injuries.
3. Dress Code: There is powerful heating indoors (temperatures can reach 20 o C and over). Use layered dressing (e.g., base layer + sweater + light down jacket) rather than thick and dense and difficult-to-peel clothes. This facilitates the process of adapting when transferring to outdoor and indoor environment.
4. Warmth Over Style This is out of doors, and it is cold. Although maybe you want to dress-up to take photos, thermal leggings are an essential item that you must not skip because cold legs are uncomfortable, and keeping as warm as possible is a significant element in an enjoyable trip.
5. Head and Hand Protection: Frostbite may be caused by severe cold winds in the outside. Wear ear muffs and gloves (preferably waterproof ones since they remain dry when in contact with snow) to save your ears and hands.
6. Fight the Elements of Dry Weather: Winter air is dry and therefore has the capability of chapping skin and lips. You need to carry hand cream and lip balm and use them frequently to ensure that the skin remains moist.
7. Snow Blindness Prevention Snow is very reflective of sunlight and in the case of infection it is dangerous and may damage your eyes. Carry two pairs of sun glasses and use them when you are outside so that your eyes are not damaged.
8. Food Placing Orders: Northeast Chinese meals are typically presented in huge amounts. Dining in company Count 1-2 plates per person, so as not to waste. When you are in need of more flavors, request the restaurant to serve smaller portions.
Transportation
