[Complete Guide] Harbin - Xuegu - Xuexiang Unleashed Trip: Best Experience for Pure Fun

If we say February is for Hainan, March is for Jiangnan, then December is the season for the north. Snow falls every November and continues until the New Year. Harbin, the ice city, begins its era spanning the northern latitudes. Ice and snow are Harbin's calling card. Ice is in Harbin, snow is in Xuegu and Xuexiang.

The most classic three-day itinerary is the Harbin – Xuegu – Xuexiang route. Grand ice and snow, vast countryside, huge snow plains, rich folk customs, big plates of food, and great outdoor activities – all along this route. If you want to shoot great vlogs to post online, take high-quality photos to dominate your social media feed, eat cheap and authentic big-plate dishes, or experience skiing and other amusement facilities at the lowest cost, trust me, this route is perfect.

The post-pandemic era has begun. After being confined for more than three years, I can finally embark on a snow-seeking trip to Northeast China. Day 1: Land, turn on your phone, and check into a hotel on Central Street. I won't recommend any specific one; chain hotels are more reliable. (Be sure to stay near Central Street, as it's convenient for transportation and close to attractions!!!) If you have time, walk to Central Street (eat a Modern ice pop!!!), Saint Sophia Cathedral, and see the plump pigeons. (You can do it all on foot.) In the evening, you can have Russian cuisine or barbecue. Harbin's barbecue is very authentic; the most popular this year is 'Da You Bian' (don't ask what it is, just eat it. Try one first, otherwise you won't be able to eat anything else.)

The Ice and Snow World is said to be impressive this year. You can take a taxi there as soon as it gets dark. I suggest joining a small tour group that provides pickup and drop-off. (It's extremely cold inside; wear as thick as possible!!!)

Day 2: Gather at Central Street, Harbin at 6 a.m., and take a shared car directly to Xuegu Scenic Area. (The shared car was pre-arranged and recommended by Xiangsi Xuegu Inn in Xuegu, very convenient and insured!!!) The only drawback is that it's a bit early.

You can arrive at Xuegu around noon; it's the Xuegu of Dongsheng Forest Farm. My suggestion is to eat immediately, because you'll spend the whole afternoon at the amusement park. No time limit, so don't waste time. Eat early, go early, and enjoy skiing, snow tubing, and octopus turntable rides freely. Beginners are advised to try skiing; it's not expensive and has no time limit. Families with children can stay a few extra days; secretly ask the innkeeper to help negotiate a discount, and the next day might even be free.

The innkeeper Mother Cui at Xiangsi Xuegu Inn where I stayed was very hospitable, helped arrange transportation, and prepared a delicious dinner. Her accommodation turned out to be the cheapest night of the trip. Great value for money, kudos~~~ Enough said.

The evening square light show was good, and the local mountain products are also great value. Overall, the businesses in Xuegu are very honest. If you're lucky, there will be a bonfire party. Remember to join in the dancing. Probably because I had so much fun, I slept warm and deeply, very soundly~~~

Remember to try throwing water to make ice!

Day 3: Between 7 and 8 a.m. is the time to cross over to Xuexiang. Follow the crowd to hike 15 kilometers up the mountain. Knowing my own poor stamina, I booked a horse-drawn carriage in advance, and the jingling journey went smoothly.

A note on luggage: have the innkeeper send your luggage to Xuexiang a day in advance, and pick it up at the Xuexiang mountain gate yourself. Out-of-town vehicles are not allowed inside, so you'll have to pay for luggage storage.

The trek (mountain climb) from Xuegu to Xuexiang offers absolutely stunning scenery – pristine forests rarely visited. For your phone, it's recommended to keep a power bank inside your thermal underwear, connected via a data cable to the phone outside, so it won't freeze and shut down. (Smart!)

Arrive at Xuexiang at noon. Along the way, you can take a snowmobile. I suggest those with poor stamina try it; it's quite fast and thrilling.

Check into Xuexiang at noon. Let me describe the night scenery here: three words – beautiful! beautiful! beautiful! Glittering with colors, a dazzling spectacle, a masterpiece of nature, as if Alice had stumbled into Wonderland. The night view is incredibly beautiful. Just take photos – with a decent phone, you can't go wrong. Check in, and share on social media.

You can eat at the inn in the evening. The inns here are relatively affordable, not as exaggerated as some online claims. Prices are clearly marked – it seems rule of law indeed prevails.

You can eat at the inn in the evening. The inns here are relatively affordable, not as exaggerated as some online claims. Prices are clearly marked – it seems rule of law indeed prevails.

Last day: wake up, pack your luggage, and take a shared car from Xuexiang to Harbin around 9 or 11 a.m. (You can arrange the car with the driver who brought you, or ask innkeepers in Xuegu and Xuexiang. Be sure to book in advance.) You'll arrive in Harbin around afternoon. If you're leaving the same day, book a flight after 9 p.m. If you're leaving the next day, you can go to Laodaowai to eat some Northeast specialties. Di San Xian (three treasures of the earth) and Guobao Pork (sweet and sour pork) are must-orders. For two people, it's enough. Don't waste food!

That concludes my complete travel guide. I personally feel that the itinerary covers eating, drinking, accommodation, transportation, and fun – a snow and ice trip without any regrets or omissions. Ice sculptures seen, cathedral seen, pigeons fed, ice pops eaten, candied hawthorns eaten, snow skied, snow tubes ridden, horse-drawn sleds ridden, snow mountain climbed, Northeast cuisine tasted, snow mushrooms seen, barbecue eaten, farmers' kang slept on, snow rolled in, social media bragged on, regrets... none.