Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: Complete Family Guide 2025
Last updated: December 17, 2024
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Quick Summary
🗓️ Festival Dates: December 25, 2024 - February 28, 2025
🌡️ Temperature: -13°F to 5°F (-25°C to -15°C)
⏱️ Recommended Stay: 2-3 days
💰 Cost: ¥328 ($46) for Ice & Snow World
👶 Kid-Friendly: Yes, but prepare well!
🏨 Where to Stay: Near Central Street
Harbin might not be very well known for Western tourists, but if there is something they know about this cold city, is the Ice and Snow Festival, the biggest exhibition of ice sculptures in the world.
It is a dream place to visit for the Chinese – but there is surpsrisingly little up-to-date information in the English internet.
In 2024 we travelled to China mid-February, with a big dream of visiting Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin. We were surprised that the train was completely empty on the way there, bacause it was right after the Chinese New Year, still during the travel rush.
In the evening of our arrival we watched Ice Festival beautifully lit from our hotel window… only to discover next day that it was already closed few days later. Apparently the week before was unusually warm and the sculptures were starting to melt in the midday sun, so it was too dangerous to keep it open (in spite temperatures dropping to -20 when we arrived!).
We were devastated — on the only English webistes we could find at the time, there were no updated information, only that it „usually stays open until late February“.
For that reason I have gathered all my knowledge of Mandarin.and Chinese apps, and compiled this into a complete guide on visiting Harbin Ice Festival, so that you can avoid what happened to us during our winter trip.
Table of Contents
Essential Information
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is the world's largest winter festival, transforming this northern Chinese city into a spectacular frozen wonderland.
Life-sized ice castles, illuminated sculptures, and massive snow art installations create an enchanting atmosphere that's especially magical for children.
What Makes It Special
- World's largest ice festival
- Incredible nighttime illuminations
- Mix of traditional Chinese and modern designs
- Interactive activities for families
- Unique cultural experience
Best Time to Visit
Festival Season
- Opening Ceremony: January 5, 2025 (some exhibits will be accessible from mid-December)
- Closing: dependent on weather conditions, usually mid- to late February
- Peak Season: January 5-15, 2025
- Best Time for Families: Late January
- Less crowded than early January
- Stable cold temperatures
- Clear skies more likely
Daily Timing
- Ice & Snow World: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
- Sun Island Snow Sculptures: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Zhaolin Park Ice Lanterns: 1:30 PM - 9:30 PM
🌟Pro Tip: Visit Ice & Snow World around 3 PM with kids. You'll see the sculptures in daylight first, then watch as they illuminate at sunset, but still get back to the hotel before everyone's too exhausted.
Main Festival Venues
1. Harbin Ice & Snow World
- Entrance Fee: ¥328 ($46) for adults
- Main Attractions:
- Giant ice castles and buildings
- Interactive ice slides
- Ice maze
- Night illumination shows
- Ice bicycles and sleds
Kid-Friendly Features: Multiple kid-sized ice slides, safe play areas, and plenty of rest spots with heating.
2. Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo
- Entrance Fee: ¥240 ($33)
- Highlights:
- Massive snow sculptures
- Snow castle playground
- Artist demonstrations
- Photography opportunities
3. Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Fair
- Entrance Fee: ¥150 ($21)
- Features:
- Traditional ice lanterns
- Smaller, detailed sculptures
- Cultural performances
- Perfect for younger children
You can prebook tickets on Trip.com (limited availability) or book them directly there once the festival opens.
In peak season tickets might book out quickly, if you prefer a more relaxed and predictable experience, you can book a tour:
Visiting with Kids
Age Recommendations
- Under 3: Challenging but doable with proper preparation
- 3-6: Great age, but limit outdoor time to 2-3 hours
- 7+: Can fully enjoy most activities
Safety Tips
- Take Regular Warm-Up Breaks
- Indoor rest areas available at all venues
- Hot drinks and snacks readily available
- Plan 30-minute indoor breaks every 1-2 hours
- Layer Properly
- Base layer: Thermal underwear
- Middle layer: Wool or fleece
- Outer layer: Waterproof snow gear
- Don't forget face protection!
What to Pack
Essential Gear
- Clothing
- Snow boots with thick soles
- Thermal underwear (2 sets)
- Snow pants and jacket
- Wool socks (2 pairs per day)
- Hand and foot warmers
- Face mask or balaclava
- For Kids
- Extra change of clothes
- Heat packs (kid-friendly)
- Insulated water bottle
- High-energy snacks
- Emergency hand warmers
Where to Stay
To be completely honest, hotels in the city are not impressive, so I looked hard to find the right picks.
I highly recommend staying in a central location, but after having been there, we also realised that because of the cold, it is much better to get around with DiDi/taxi, so for that reason proximity to the metro isn‘t as important.
Central Street (Zhongyang Dajie) - Best for First-timers
- Perfect for: Easy access to main attractions
- Nearby attractions: Central Street, Flood Control Monument, Sophia Church
- Transport: Multiple bus lines, close to Metro Line 1
- Average hotel price: $60-150 per night
Our Top Hotel Picks in Central Street:
- Harbin Central Street Huasu Yishe Boutique Hotel - From $60/night
- What to expect: Clean rooms and great location for affordable price
- Best for: Families and budget travelers
- 🏨 Check rates and availability
Sun Island Area - Best for Ice Festival
- Perfect for: Ice Festival visitors
- Nearby attractions: Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Park
- Transport: Shuttle buses to city center
- Average hotel price: $100-180 per night
- Shangri-La Harbin - From $120/night
- What to expect: Grand design, dated but with great views
- Best for: Higher budgets
- 🏨 Check rates and availability
This is the hotel we stayed in and we were quite happy with it - it is nothing spectacular, but the views and location are really good.
Getting There
High-speed rail
- Direct train from Beijing to Harbin (4h)
- More convenient than flying
- Tends to sell out quickly
- If you have some money to spare and want to have a premium experience, consider booking Business Class, it is awesome
Flying to Harbin
- Direct flights from Beijing (2 hours)
- Multiple daily flights from Shanghai (3.5 hours)
- International connections via Beijing
Getting Around
- Use DiDi (Chinese Uber) for convenience
- Hotel shuttles to festival venues
- Public transport (not recommended with kids in winter)
Tips for Visiting
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy combination tickets for multiple venues
- Book hotels 2-3 months in advance
- Visit during shoulder season (late January)
- Pack snacks and drinks
Photography Tips
- Bring battery backup (cold drains batteries quickly)
- Best photos during "blue hour" (4:30-5:00 PM)
- Keep camera warm when not in use
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Easy Start
- Morning: Arrive and check-in
- Afternoon: Central Street exploration
- Evening: Zhaolin Park Ice Lanterns
Day 2: Main Festival Day
- Morning: Sun Island Snow Sculptures
- Afternoon: Rest and warm up
- Evening: Ice & Snow World
Day 3: Culture & Departure
- Morning: Siberian Tiger Park
- Afternoon: Departure
Useful resources
Official festival website (in Chinese)
XiaoHongShu official account
哈尔滨冰雪大世界
WeChat official account
Search 哈尔滨冰雪大世界 In WeChat to find the official account (in Chinese)
FAQs
Q: How cold does it really get?
A: Expect temperatures between -13°F to 5°F (-25°C to -15°C). However, with proper clothing, it's manageable even with kids.
Q: How long should we stay?
A: 2-3 days is ideal for families. This allows you to see all major venues without rushing.
Q: Is it worth visiting with young children?
A: Yes, but preparation is key. Children over 3 typically enjoy it most, but younger ones can still have fun with proper planning and limited exposure times.
Ready to Plan Your Harbin Ice Festival Trip?
🏨 Check Harbin hotel availability
✈️ Find flights to Harbin
🎫 Book festival tickets
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Magda Sawyer
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