Just Once: A Trip to Harbin and Snow Town

The sudden epidemic forced me to stay home during the Spring Festival holiday, and the lazy cancer patient finally decided to organize the trip to Harbin properly. Why did I choose Harbin this time? Because of a picture from a friend.

Doesn't it look like a world from a fairy tale? I'm from Hainan, living in the tropics. Although I went to university in Beijing, I had never seen such thick and abundant snow. Also, a few years ago, I saw a friend's video of the Dreamy Homeland Mushroom Houses. My desire to see an ice and snow fairy tale world grew even stronger! And Brother Zhi kept saying he wanted to go to Northeast China for skiing, so we quickly agreed and started planning an ice and snow trip to Harbin!

A fluffy white hat looks great for snow photos! I also wore a down jacket inside.

Although I rented outerwear on Taobao, base layers are also important! I'll list mine for your reference. 1. Upper body: comfortable quick-dry base layer (worn innermost), fleece-lined long-sleeved top, sweater, short down jacket, and then the rental down jacket (long style) on top. 2. Lower body: fleece-lined tights, fleece-lined long underwear, down pants. 3. Hand warmers: stick on knees, upper arms, and lower back (adjust based on personal needs). Use 5-6 a day—survival first! Your phone also needs hand warmers because extreme cold can drain its battery. 4. Foot warmers: definitely buy these! Since departure was near, I bought them directly at the clothing rental shop. They worked well. The hand warmers were just okay. 5. Thermos with ginger brown sugar tea: one cup a day, life-saving when your hands freeze! Also useful for the hot water throwing ice trick. 6. Medicines: Ganmaoling, Xiaochaihu, Sanjiu Weitai, cooling balm. 7. Other: power banks, fluffy hat, waterproof touchscreen gloves (from Taobao)—must buy! Otherwise, like me, you'll have to take off gloves to take photos and freeze your hands! Once my life-saving clothing was ready, this islander set off~

I always take a photo of Brother Zhi at the airport—another early morning at the airport.

It was Brother Zhi's birthday on departure day! I blew out his birthday candle in advance.

First Stop: Ice and Snow World

Arriving in Harbin at 1 PM, after changing into warm clothes at the hotel, we decided to solve the food problem first and go to Ice and Snow World in the evening. Living on tropical time, we had no idea that dusk in Harbin was completely different from Hainan! In Hainan, it doesn't get dark until after 6 PM in winter, but in Harbin, it starts getting dark at 4 PM. So when we finished dinner and took a taxi to Ice and Snow World, we hit Harbin's evening rush hour! And thus experienced the first major traffic jam of our lives!

In an hour and a half, the car only traveled 4 kilometers! Moreover, many roads in Harbin are one-way, making congestion worse. A normal 2-3 kilometer drive takes 20 minutes in Harbin! This islander was shocked! It took nearly two hours to finally reach Ice and Snow World. So if you want to go to Ice and Snow World, consider leaving around 3 PM. There are buses on Central Street that are cheaper than taxis. Avoiding peak hours and scenic spot rushes also lets you see the night view.

Brother Zhi's eyelashes froze.

Overall rating: Not recommended. Ice and Snow World is just an ice sculpture park. At night, lights create some night scenery. Before going, a friend told me it's not very fun—it's just a "since you're here, you might as well see it" attraction. I didn't listen and went anyway. The result was spending money and suffering. Tickets are expensive: 273 RMB each. Photos turn out just okay. Few activities: the big slide is incredibly crowded, with queues of 1-3 hours in the freezing cold. Brother Zhi and I gave up. Getting there and back is troublesome: taxi there, crowded bus back.

It was full of people. And it was so cold! Staying outdoors was almost unbearable. So Harbin was completely different from my previous trips—no way to just wander and eat.

After getting off the bus, I bought frozen strawberries and grapes at a roadside stall. Recommend frozen grapes—they taste better than strawberries.

Took a taxi back to the hotel, then went for Northeast BBQ! Bought from a shop near the hotel, it was really delicious. When in Harbin, you must eat BBQ.

Second Stop: China Snow Town

Snow Town is far away, so I think joining a tour group is the most economical and convenient option. Two days and one night—I suggest not bringing a suitcase. Prepare a small backpack with toiletries and essentials (Snow Town hotels don't provide toiletries). Woke up at 5 AM to pack, one person left luggage at the front desk, the other went to the convenience store to buy breakfast and fruit.

Met at 6 AM and boarded the bus, both of us wrapped in two down jackets.

Rest stop along the way: we had a "so-so" group meal—don't expect much, just eat enough.

At 2 PM, we started visiting the scenic area next to the rest stop.

Took a snow shovel vehicle to the mountainside, where rime ice was everywhere.

A two-minute snowmobile ride—very thrilling! So much fun! Better than any attraction in Harbin!

This islander's first close contact with snow!

Thought it was a mattress, but when I fell, I almost got a concussion.

Every photo was taken at the cost of life—because the moment I took off my gloves to shoot, my hands froze.

Under the blue sky, a world of white snow, leaving only purity in sight.

At 4 PM, we finally arrived at Snow Town.

Accommodation in Snow Town: Mr. Jiang's Inn—brand new, clean and warm. Brother Zhi, exhausted after a long day, couldn't wait to climb onto the kang. When booking the tour, remember to ask the customer service to upgrade to a private room; otherwise, you'll have to share a room with other group members.

After dinner, be sure to go out and enjoy Snow Town's night scenery! Despite the freezing cold, there were many tourists.

Snow Rhyme Street: white mushroom houses with bright red lanterns, like scenes from an animated film.

Both sides of Snow Rhyme Street are lined with vendors.

Pushing through the crowd, I found the fairy tale world of my dreams—Dreamy Homeland. Started snapping photos.

Dreamy Homeland requires an admission ticket, but we got it as a gift from the inn.

Northeast specialty: frozen fruits—nature's freezer. Priced at 10-15 RMB per catty.

Brother Zhi eating BBQ in Snow Town.

My favorite frozen grapes—you can try freezing them at home. They have a sorbet texture; remember to thaw the surface with hot water before eating.

The next day, we got up early. Brother Zhi successfully performed the hot water throwing ice trick on his first try.

The morning in Snow Town reminded me of European estates in movies.

Last photo before leaving Snow Town. I wanted to remember these beautiful sights with my eyes, because I probably won't come again in this lifetime.

Third Stop: Snow Town Big Snow Valley

Sleigh ride experience—be sure to sit on the last two circles! Skip it in Harbin.

It was so cold! People warming up indoors.

Visited a new house in Snow Town.

Northeast's "Three Old Things."

Snow scenery outside the window.

The mushroom houses in Big Snow Valley were equally beautiful.

Brother Zhi chasing reindeer all over the street.

Snow activity experiences.

Encountered a sunny day.

Thanks to my professional photographer.

Portrait mode works great in the snow!

Beautiful northern scenery, all in Mudanjiang.

In the snow, any casual shot becomes a beautiful scene.

On the way to Yabuli Ski Resort, the scenery was beautiful—snowy mountains right in front, rime ice everywhere. But through the car window, the camera couldn't capture what the eyes saw.

Before skiing, the guide told us that ski suits were not included in the tour and cost 200 RMB per person to rent. Actually, you can rent them on Fliggy for 80 RMB per person. But the guide won't tell you which specific ski resort you'll go to, so renting temporarily isn't practical. So if you want to ski, make sure to choose a tour that includes ski suits.

Considering skiing was unsafe and costly (instructor 240 RMB/person, ski suit 200 RMB/person), we decided to switch the skiing activity to "World's First Toboggan Run," paying an extra 180 RMB each. This was the most unpleasant part of the trip.

A beautiful view taken at the top of Yabuli Ski Resort. Eyes in paradise, body in a fridge. It turned out our decision was right! While resting, we saw tourists without instructors who couldn't even put on ski boots—very poor experience. Overall evaluation: Snow Town's scenery is truly beautiful! But it's extremely cold! So you must keep warm. Snow Town is far away, and with the freezing environment, I think joining a tour is the most economical choice. I suggest choosing tours under 1000 RMB. We booked online for 880 RMB per person, with quite a few activities. The tour group had 30-50 people; some of our group members paid over 1000 RMB but had similar activities. Most tour buses gather in front of the Wanda Hotel on Central Street. So I suggest booking your hotel on Central Street. Prices and reviews are for reference.

Last Stop: Harbin Central Street

On the last day, we started a wandering and eating mode on Central Street. Central Street is a landmark of Harbin, famous for its European and Gothic architecture. Now it's a well-known commercial pedestrian street. Madier popsicles, Harbin red sausage, and various specialty shops are everywhere. With a quick online search, we checked out some trendy restaurants. But the results were disappointing.

Visited the famous Russian restaurant—Huamei Western Restaurant.

Visited the Coca-Cola themed pavilion.

Visited a Korean restaurant—Pancake Heroine.

Too heavy on seasoning—didn't like it.

Strongly recommend the hawthorn skewers and Madier popsicles in front of Huamei Restaurant.

Hawthorn is my favorite!

At the end of Central Street is the frozen Songhua River. There are many entertainment activities, costing 30-50 RMB, cheaper the further you go. We had already tried many of these in Snow Town.

Walking on the river surface, opened Baidu Maps.

When I feel the spring-like warmth in the southern winter, I think of the northern sun and the frozen landscapes. This islander's once-in-a-lifetime trip to Snow Town: having seen the heavy snow of the north, I still yearn for the tropical sun. When I wear short sleeves in winter, I still read travel notes and remember the white snow I once saw.

Goodbye, Harbin.