End of 2022 | Encountering the Dazzling Winter Wonderland of Harbin

The end of the year has arrived, and a new year begins.

I always look forward to this time.

I think winter is romantic,

especially in a city with snow.

After recovering from COVID, I embarked on this spontaneous cross-year trip.

- Experiencing the unique northern romance in Harbin

If winter is romantic, then I believe the ultimate romantic winter must be in Harbin!

This is the northernmost city in China, and also the city with the lowest winter temperatures. As someone who lives in a northern city, I still felt the cold in the air the moment I arrived in Harbin.

Some say Harbin in winter is like Moscow in the East, others call it a little Paris in the East. It is a place many people yearn for in winter—exotic streets, snow-covered villages, hospitable locals... The beauty of northern cities in winter is all hidden here.

I love Harbin's winter. In my memory, it is pure white and crystal clear. You can frolic on the ice or be romantic in the snow. Strolling through the streets of Harbin, everything in sight is my favorite winter scenery.

They say this city's winter is very cold, but the people here will make you feel the warmth of Harbin—passionate and carefree.

- Strolling along the century-old romantic Central Street

Eating ice cream while walking on the cobblestone road of Central Street—that's the right way to experience this city.

Central Street starts from the Flood Control Memorial Square by the river in the north and ends at Xinyang Square in the south. It is a 1,400-meter-long bustling commercial pedestrian street, built in 1900. As the most representative pedestrian street in Harbin, it is a must-visit for out-of-town tourists.

Walking along Central Street, you'll see exotic architecture on both sides. You'll be drawn to the culture of this street, as well as the fountains, benches, and street lamps by the roadside... They exude a classical beauty, letting you immerse yourself in the century-old romance that belongs to Harbin alone.

The crowds of people create a lively scene. You can feel the life and atmosphere of Harbin's locals. Central Street not only carries many memories of Harbin but also serves as a microcosm of the city's era. At that moment, I knew choosing Harbin for this romantic winter cross-year trip was the right decision.

- The Magnificent Saint Sophia Cathedral

This is a typical Byzantine-style Eastern Orthodox church. Its walls are all made of clear red bricks, topped with a large and plump onion dome, along with four tent-shaped domes of different sizes, forming a master-slave layout.

Standing in front of the snow-covered Saint Sophia Cathedral, everything before you tells you what is the unique romance and surprise of winter, like a fairy tale castle, very dreamy. Compared to daytime, it is even more captivating at night, highlighted by the lights, appearing more magnificent and full of mysterious exotic charm.

Entering the church, you'll be captivated by the exquisite and gorgeous decorations. The four floors are connected by stairs, with doors on all four sides. Above the main entrance is a bell tower. Seven bronze bells correspond exactly to seven musical notes, played by the bell ringer using both hands and feet, producing rhythmic and melodious chimes.

- The Magical Ice and Snow World

Harbin's winter has a kind of beauty: lifelike ice sculptures that will brighten your eyes and bring back the joy of childhood.

After keeping warm, head straight to the Ice and Snow World. The world I had seen in videos was indeed stunning! This is an annual visual feast, and I witnessed the ice and snow wonderland of 2022.

During the day, under the sunlight, they are all crystal clear, like a crystal world. At night, when colorful lights turn on, each ice sculpture becomes vibrant, as if given new life, making the entire Ice and Snow World feel alive.

At the Ice and Snow World, you can ride the ice Ferris wheel and enjoy the scenery along the Songhua River; you can experience the speed and passion brought by ice on the super large slide made entirely of ice; there are also various ice-related entertainment activities and song and dance performances. Here you can be a child again, temporarily forget everything, and immerse yourself in this unique happiness.

- In winter, there is a kind of happiness called Yabuli.

Yabuli Ski Resort is surrounded by mountains. It is a 5S-level ski resort with over 50 ski trails, friendly to beginners but also meeting the needs of professional skiers. The entire resort has diverse terrain, excellent snow quality, and comprehensive facilities, offering integrated services for dining, entertainment, and accommodation. It can truly be called a top-tier ski resort.

Yabuli Sunshine Resort also has the world's longest toboggan run, with a total length of 2,680 meters, a drop of 540 meters, and 42 bends. Sliding all the way through the vast snowy forest, you will understand why it is a top-tier resort. Skiing here lets you forget the cold and enjoy the joy in the minus 20-degree Celsius air.

Afterward, you can also experience the forest hot springs. Soaking in an outdoor hot spring at minus 20-plus degrees Celsius is truly a unique experience.

- Yabuli Nalan Hotel

The Nalan Hotel is one of Yabuli's long-established resort hotels and the only one adjacent to the mountain in the Yabuli Ski Resort.

With Gothic architecture, free parking, customized dining, wake-up service, business center, and other special services, it creates a stylish sports, vacation, and meeting scene, allowing guests to enjoy a scientific and user-friendly stay experience. It is a very good hotel.

- The Simple and Beautiful Snow Town and Snow Valley

The long-awaited Snow Town is as beautiful as it is. If you don't see it with your own eyes, it's hard to imagine its beauty—like a fairy tale world covered in snow.

Snow Town, also called Shuangfeng Forest Farm, has a long snow period and frequent snowfall, with the saying "no three sunny days in a row." The snow accumulation period lasts up to 7 months, and the snowfall is the heaviest in China.

Xueyun Street is the only main street in Snow Town, about 500 meters long, very lively.

Looking down at the entire Snow Town from a high place, the white snow covers everything. The lovely white mushroom houses are incredibly romantic under the light of the lamps. On the streets, you can also see sled dogs everywhere, gentle and cute.

Outside the houses, it's minus 20-plus degrees Celsius. I experienced the joy of splashing water into ice for the first time. Inside each house, there are warm Northeast kang (heated brick beds). You can put on a floral cotton-padded jacket from the Northeast, sit around with friends, and have an authentic iron pot stew. This is the real Northeast flavor. At that moment, you will definitely forget the icy and snowy world outside.

- Primeval Snow Valley | Ice and Snow Gallery Rime Forest

The endless white is so pure. The trees along the way are enveloped in a crystal clear world, as if entering a fairyland on earth.

Compared to Snow Town, Snow Valley is more primitive. A small village has log cabins and animals, but without too many artificial traces. You can find the joy that belongs only to winter everywhere.

- Snow Town Xueyunge Hotel

The hotel has complete facilities and a warm service attitude. There are many room types to choose from, including characteristic Northeast kang rooms, family rooms, business rooms... meeting all the needs of travelers.

- Harbin Polarland, Discovering Childlike Joy

What is most anticipated in Harbin is definitely the Polarland. It is the world's first polar performance amusement park, located on the banks of the Songhua River, with two phases: Ocean World and Polar World.

On December 31, 2022, Harbin Polarland opened! At the entrance, there is a huge ice and snow penguin, over ten meters tall, the world's largest penguin snow sculpture. You must take a photo.

At Polarland, you can also frolic with polar bears and interact with sea lions and dolphins, as if forgetting everything and regaining the childlike innocence and fun.

- Harbin Polarland Polar Bear Hotel

Accommodation at Polarland is very good. This is a polar bear-themed hotel, cleverly designed with 23 rooms, each featuring a polar bear theme.

The rooms are decorated with polar bear and penguin elements everywhere, with very cute plush toys, making you want to take all kinds of photos.

If you also want to get close to the animals, this hotel is really a good choice.

- Sun Island for the Snow Expo Snow Sculptures

Entering the Snow Expo feels like stepping into a pure white world, dreamlike. See the exquisite and elegant blue-and-white porcelain bottle shapes carved from snow. See the magnificent palaces carved from snow. Also, rabbit shapes carved from snow are lifelike, adding a festive atmosphere for the upcoming Year of the Rabbit.

At the Snow Expo, there are many cute animals: sika deer, foxes, black bears... They are especially adorable in the snow, and you can feed and interact with them.

- Savoring Authentic Northeast Cuisine

When in Harbin, you must not miss Northeast cuisine. Have an authentic Northeast meal, feel the hospitality of the restaurant owners, and taste the local food full of New Year flavor.

Pork stew with vermicelli, Northeast stew, Guobao Rou (sweet and sour pork)... all are very delicious.

There are also unique Northeast frozen fruits: frozen pears, frozen persimmons. Unique Northeast flavor, but really tasty.

1. First of all, keep warm: wear a sweater and fleece-lined pants.

2. Hat, scarf, gloves, and earmuffs: none are dispensable. Choose leather and fleece-lined waterproof gloves—you'll understand how important they are when playing in the snow.

3. Wear boots that are both warm and non-slip, and wear fleece-lined socks.

4. Most importantly, it is recommended to stick warm packs on your coat and the back of your feet.

5. Since most of the scenery is white snow, bright-colored clothes are best for photos. A loose, waterproof down jacket with cute hats and earmuffs looks very cute in snow photos.

Four days and three nights, I fulfilled this white dream in Harbin.

I experienced northern scenery I had never experienced before.

Be bold in this journey of life.

No matter how far the road, just go spontaneously.

I am always willing to see the world, find myself, and chase dreams.