Sample 7-day winter itinerary. Beijing’s palaces and the Great Wall in clear winter light, then three nights in Harbin for its giant ice and snow sculptures, Russian-influenced architecture and northern food. Run it from late December to February.
At a glance
- Route: Beijing (3 nights) · Harbin (3 nights)
- Best for: winter holidays, families, travellers looking for something different
- Season: Harbin Ice and Snow World usually opens from late December to late February; the dates are set each season
- Pace: moderate, with indoor warm-up stops between outdoor visits
- Hotels: central 4-star or 5-star hotels
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing. Private transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 · The Palace Museum and the hutongs. Winter brings thinner crowds to the Forbidden City. Warm up afterwards in a hutong teahouse.
Day 3 · The Great Wall at Mutianyu. Cold but often clear and quiet. A cable car takes you up to the wall. Peking duck for dinner.
Day 4 · Travel to Harbin. Fly in about 2 hours, or take the high-speed train in about 5 to 7 hours. In the evening, walk Central Street and its early 20th-century buildings.
Day 5 · Saint Sophia and the frozen river. See the former Saint Sophia Cathedral and try winter activities on the Songhua River when the ice is open. After dark, visit Harbin Ice and Snow World, when the ice buildings are lit up.
Day 6 · Snow sculptures and a slower afternoon. Visit the Sun Island snow sculpture exhibition in the morning. In the afternoon, choose the Siberian Tiger Park, a museum or a long, warm lunch of northern dumplings.
Day 7 · Depart. Fly home via Beijing or Shanghai, or directly where routes exist.
Getting between cities
- Beijing to Harbin: domestic flight, about 2 hours, or high-speed train, about 5 to 7 hours
Included in the sample quote
- 6 nights in hotels with daily breakfast
- Private guide and vehicle on touring days, and private transfers
- The domestic flight or train tickets
- Entrance tickets for the visits named above
- Two lunches and the Peking duck dinner
Not included
- International flights, visas and travel insurance
- Winter clothing, meals and drinks not listed, optional activities and tips
Before you go
Night temperatures in Harbin in January are often below −20 °C. Pack thermal layers, insulated boots, a hat that covers the ears and gloves you can use a phone in. Phone batteries drain quickly in the cold, so carry a power bank in an inside pocket.
Prices
Travelling yourself? Send us your dates and group size for a price based on your hotel choice. Travel agencies can request net rates by group size and hotel level.