When winter arrives, Harbin’s snow repeatedly astonishes visitors! In the quiet night, the north wind carries snowflakes, covering the city’s European-style architecture, with the dim glow of street lamps, making the entire city look like an icy kingdom.
People say that in winter, you must visit Harbin, as there are many places where it snows, but only here has a fairy-tale atmosphere. Yet, this city, which captivates the hearts of countless people, despite its repeated online fame, cannot retain hundreds of thousands of Harbin residents… a cause for infinite regret!
It was once the second largest international city in Asia, earning the nickname “Eastern Little Paris.” In 1900, this city, brought to life by the railway, was forced to open its port, with over 20 countries establishing consulates here, where you could buy most of the world’s goods in the Global Department Store. 
Some say Harbin is China’s most regrettable provincial capital, with too high a starting point in the past, but it didn’t keep up with the transformation, leading to its beauty being underestimated!
You might not know that it’s the only city in Asia designated by the United Nations as the “City of Music.” It boasts China’s first symphony orchestra, the first cinema, the first tourist train, and the first music school… once a pioneer in culture and art.
You might not know that it’s a culinary paradise seriously underestimated by Chinese foodies. It’s the birthplace of Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork), and offers Russian cuisine, Northeastern stew, Harbin sausages, beer, and various unique snacks, satisfying your taste buds.
You might not know that it’s also the most Westernized city in the three Northeast provinces. European and Russian influences are everywhere; over 70 churches of various styles are rare in the country; especially in winter, covered in dreamy white snow, it becomes the Eastern Moscow!
Winter is Harbin’s shining moment! Speaking of Harbin in winter, it’s like an ice and snow museum without an entrance fee, serene, pure, and romantic. If you’ve never been, you’ll never know how beautiful and fun it can be, making people so enamored with the icy landscapes.
With a Russian charm comparable to Moscow, you might find yourself turning white-haired in Harbin without realizing it! When it snows, go for a walk with your loved one at the Saint Sophia Cathedral! The red bricks and green roof complement each other, with the huge onion-shaped dome topped by a golden cross reaching into the sky, with snow and rain as its backdrop, everything is so magical, like the magical world of Hogwarts.
When it snows, go for a stroll with your loved one on Central Street! During the day, stop by the various architectural styles, with a classic every five steps and a spectacle every ten. Ancient Greek, Gothic, Byzantine, and Baroque buildings line the street.
As night falls and the neon lights come on, Central Street sheds its daytime crowds. You won’t hear the noise of vehicles, only the light footsteps on the bread stones, fully experiencing the reputation of “Eastern Little Paris.”
When it snow, take a leisurely walk with your loved one on Gogol Street! Gogol Bookstore is China’s most beautiful European-style bookstore, where you can spend time with your favorite books; wait until the Alexei Church lights up, with the snow slightly melting, making it even more sacred.
When it snows, go for a casual stroll with your loved one on Daoli Old Street! Its unique Chinese Baroque architectural style is a favorite for film and TV locations, as well as a testament to the ordinary years of the old city’s residents, where European charm meets Eastern civilization, leaving you wanting more.
When it snows, go for a walk with your loved one in the Volga Manor! Winter in Volga is truly beautiful; enter Pavlov Castle and St. Nicholas Cathedral, then savor a strong shot of vodka, and you might hear Russian arias echoing in your ears.
Harbin’s fun ice activities are unforgettable ice and snow adventures! If you visit Harbin, you must go to the Binjiang Railway Bridge and the Songhua River. The Binjiang Railway Bridge, the first railway bridge over the Songhua River, spans the river like a giant beast, with a transparent glass walkway allowing you to see the river directly below.
In winter, when the Songhua River is covered with ice and snow, it becomes a playground. You can freely enjoy ice carts, horse-drawn carriages, ice top spinning, dog sleds, off-road vehicles… the excitement and joy are something you can’t experience in the south.
If you come to Harbin, you must visit the Ice and Snow World. This ice and snow fairy-tale park is the world’s largest and most beautiful “Ice and Snow Disneyland” and a venue for large ice sculpture exhibitions.
During the day, sunlight filters through the jade-like ice stones, casting colorful halos, making for great photos; at night, when the colorful lights come on, it’s like entering a fairy-tale kingdom, not to mention the numerous activities available.
If you come to Harbin, you must visit Harbin Music Park. The 18-meter-tall giant snowman that once went viral online is here, and it’s said that a similar one appears every year; there are also many “wild” snowmen, adding to the fun.
If you come to Harbin, you must visit the Yabuli Ski Resort. It’s the largest ski resort in China, with many slopes and good snow quality, where you can glide and sprint on the pristine snow, feeling like you’re back in a carefree childhood.
If you visit Harbin, you should also check out the ice lanterns at Zhaolin Park, and the snow sculpture kingdom at Stalin Park by the Songhua River… In short, Harbin’s winter is a city’s carnival.
It’s also one of the best cities for food in winter, with an abundance of ingredients that will drop your jaw! Visiting Harbin without trying Ma Die Er ice cream sticks is like “going for nothing.” The square, goose-yellow ice cream sticks melt in your mouth, sweet but not greasy, and you can enjoy several sticks at once without worrying about the cold!
When you’re in Harbin, you must stock up from this natural freezer, or you’ll miss out on many flavors. Ice cream sticks and ice pops are sold directly in baskets outside; frozen persimmons and pears, once the ice shell melts, burst with sweet, soft juice in your mouth, only in the Northeast does it taste authentic!
You should also try all kinds of iron pot stews, the highlight of Harbin’s dining tables. Northeastern stew, just thinking about it makes your mouth water; there’s also Guobaorou, big bone sticks, pig slaughter feast, Demoli stewed fish… so delicious you won’t want to leave.
Don’t miss out on Russian cuisine for a truly exotic experience. You can have an elaborate Russian dinner in a restaurant, with salads, pickled cucumbers, borscht, and braised beef, dishes served in a ceremonial manner.
You can also live like most Harbin residents, eating a big piece of bread with sausage, paired with a bottle of kvass, simple yet incredibly tasty.
Don’t forget to experience the night market barbecue in Harbin, the soul of the city. With friends, a few pitchers of Harbin beer, some skewers, a pile of edamame, a few cloves of garlic, and kids holding large green sticks of soda, the place is bustling with the smell of life.
Harbin’s winter, whether it’s the exotic charm or the Northeastern flavors, makes those who haven’t been long for it, and those who have, miss it. For Harbin natives, seeing snow, whether they are “migrating birds flying south” or “returning birds to the nest,” Harbin remains the hometown they can always return to. Now, with snow falling, Harbin awaits the return of its children and the arrival of tourists…
