The 8th Ice and Snow World opened to visitors in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on January 5 and continues until February 25. More than 2000 ice sculptures are on display at the annual event.
The city’s location in northeast China accounts for its arctic climate which provides abundant ice and snow. The ‘Ice City’ of Harbin is recognized as home to ice and snow art in China and is famous for its exquisite sculptures.
The fabulous Ice Lantern Festival was the forerunner of the current event and is still perhaps the best loved part of the festival in the opinion of those who come to Harbin annually.
Harbin Ice and Snow World:
Admission Fee: 150 yuan for adults and 75 yuan for kids. Opening hours: 9:00-22:00 Bus Route: 29, 88, 118, 80, 85
Website: http://www.hrbicesnow.com/8th/en/index.asp
Sun Island Park
Admission Fee: 30 yuan for adults and 15 yuan for kids (extra 50 yuan for the Snow Sculpture Art Exposition).
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Bus Route: 101,102,103
Zhaolin Park:
Admission Fee: 30 yuan at the time of the Ice Lantern Exhibition and 10 yuan normally. Opening hours: 5:00-18:30
Bus Route: 101,103
.54 the 13th Street of Southern Part Dao Wai District and belongs to First Class Preserved Building.
The Beiyuan Hotel (Beiyuan fandian) is fairly well located, directly in front of the railway station, about 40km from the airport. This is one of the cheapest hotels in this city, and, as such, you should certainly not expect too much. The hotel is a bit stark, and, unsurprising with its low price, is usually filled with Russians.
The Yunma Hotel (Yunma jiudian) is located near the railway station, facing the prosperous business center in Nangang District. The airport is just a forty-minute drive from the hotel. It is about 2km away from the bank of Songhua River, Zhaolin Park and the Zhongyang Street.The hotel offers 86 guestrooms. All the rooms are fitted with air conditioning, minibar, phone with modem socket and television.
The Yunma Hotel (Yunma jiudian) is located near the railway station, facing the prosperous business center in Nangang District. The airport is just a forty-minute drive from the hotel. It is about 2km away from the bank of Songhua River, Zhaolin Park and the Zhongyang Street.The hotel offers 86 guestrooms. All the rooms are fitted with air conditioning, minibar, phone with modem socket and television.
Tianzhi Hotel (Tianzhi Dajiudian) is located at No. 160 of Central Street in Daoli District of Herbin City. It is a stone’s throw away from famous Flood Control Monument and Song Hua River, only 2-minute walking from Church of St. Sophia. It enjoys perfect location.The hotel has 88 guestrooms, all with advanced facilities, such as Satellite Color TV, Electronic Safe, IDD/DDD, Internet Port, mini-bar and refrigerator.
The Gloria Inn Hotel (Songhuajiang kailai shangwu jiudian) boasts a prime location in the center of Harbin city. The hotel is about a 30 minute drive from Harbin International Airport,1 km from Zhaolin Park (home to the annual Ice Lantern Festival) and 4km from the railway station.This is a three star hotel with 300 rooms on seven floors, all equipped with mini-bar, IDD telephone, satellite TV, in-room safe and in-house movies.
The oddly named Shirble Swan Hotel (Suibao tian’e fandian) is on Zhongshan Lu, only 5 minutes drive from the railway station and 40 minutes from the Airport. Almost all important commercial districts can be reached in 10 minutes by car.This three star hotel has a total of 310 rooms including standard/superior rooms, suites and deluxe suites.
The Post Hotel Sun Island Holiday Resort (Boshite jiudian taiyangdao dujiacun) is built under international three star standard, located on the beautiful Sun Island.The hotel has 93 luxury standard rooms, including deluxe suites and standard rooms. There are central air conditioning, closed circuit TV, stereo system, direct dial phones and fully-equipped bath room facilities in each room.
The Longmen Hotel (Longmen dasha) is located in the city center, only few minutes’ walk from the railway station and 40 minutes drive from the airport.The hotel comprise a 22 floor main building and a two floor Russian style side building. This is a three star hotel with approximately 230 rooms including standard room and superior suites. Central air conditioning, refrigerator, satellite TV and IDD telephone are provided throughout.
The Longda Ruiji Business Hotel (Longda ruiji shangwu jiudian) is situated in the prosperity business center of Harbin. The hotel is close to the railway station, within walking distance and about 40km from the airport.The hotel has 132 guestrooms, including standard rooms, business rooms and deluxe suites. All rooms are spacious and equipped with modern facilities.
The Long Gong Hotel (Longgong dasha) is located within the city business center, about 10 minutes walk to the railway station and 40 minutes drive to the airport.The hotel provides 100 various rooms with comfort and convenience, a full range of facilities including colour TV with satellite channels, IDD telephone, air-conditioning system is available.
The Jingwei Plaza (Jingwei dajiudian) is located near the famous pedestrian street, Central Street and the St. Sofia Church. It is about 10 minutes walk to the Zhao Lin Park, 5 minutes to the railway station, and 40 minutes drive to the airport.The hotel boasts a total of 120 different guestrooms. All the rooms are elegantly decorated and equipped with all modern facilities. A huge conference hall and business services are available too.
The Harbin Petrel hotel is located beside the Hongbo Square commercial center, only 10 minutes’ walk from the railway station and 45 minutes drive from the airport.This is a three star hotel with approximately 200 rooms including standard room and superior suites. Central air conditioning, refrigerator, satellite TV and IDD telephone are provided throughout.
The Green Hotel (Luse dasha) is a three star hotel located in the city center, near the railway station. The hotel is close to the city’s museum.There are various rooms with comfort and convenience, a full range of facilities including colour TV with satellite channels, IDD telephone, air-conditioning system is available.Business facilities include a business center and meeting rooms that have equipped with audio visual system.
The Flamingo Hotel (Shuanghe dajiudian) is located at the southeast of the city center, which is quite far away. This is a three star hotel with 180 rooms, all rooms are equipped with satellite TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, telephone and mini bar.The Coffee Shop serve international snack, wine and drinks, and there is also a Chinese Restaurant which provide Cantonese and Northern Chinese cuisine.
Harbin Romantic Hotel (Nuomandi Jiudian) is a 3 star hotel located in CBD of Harbin, facing Zhaolin Park and taking St. Sophia Church and the Central Blvd as its neighbours.
Guo Ge Li Hotel (Guogeli Binguan) is a 3 star comprehensive hotel located near the municipal government offices and only 10-min drive from Haerbin Railway Station. Hence the transportation is relatively convenient.There are 71 rooms/suites including 60 standard and luxurious rooms, 6 single rooms and 5 suites, which are equipped with facilities like medium and small sized conference rooms, close-circuit TV, broadband access, etc.
The Centre Hotel (Shente dasha) is located on the southeast of the Harbin city, in the new development center. This three star facilities hotel has more than 100 guestrooms and suites. All equipped with central air-conditioning, fridge and a remote controlled TV with satellite programs.For the business patron the hotel has a business center with secretarial or administrative support and meeting rooms of varied size and facilities.
The Zhengming Jinjiang Hotel (Zhengming jinjiang dajiudian) is managed by Jinjiang International Hotel Management Group. The hotel is located in the city center, near the Exhibition Center and shopping district. It is only 1km from the railway station and about 40 minutes drive to the airport.The hotel has 158 different guestrooms,all equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite TV …
The Rongfu Conifer Hotel is located alongside Songhua River beside Stalin Park and the Flood Control Monument. This is a 40 minute drive from the airport and 10 minutes from the railway station.This is a three star hotel with almost 200 rooms including standard accommodation, superior suites and deluxe rooms.
The Press Plaza (baoye dasha) is located in Harbin’s central commercial area and enjoys both the beautiful natural scenery of the area as well as convenient shopping facilities. The hotel is facing the Taiyang Island, near the Central Street, about 10 minutes to the railway station and 35 minutes to the airport.The hotel has various guestrooms and suites which are intelligently furnished and equipped with Broadband Internet connection.
The Power Hotel (Pafuer fandian) is located in the downtown of Harbin city, near the Exhibition hall, Songlei Building, Underground store and Museum. The hotel is set amidst the office, bank, apartment and shopping center. It is five minutes by car to the railway station and only 45 minutes to the airport.The hotel has 143 guestrooms and suite.
The New World Beifang Hotel is located in the south of the city, right beside the Heilongjiang International Exhibition Center and the Bank of China. This is 15 minutes’ drive from the main commercial streets and the Railway station can be reached in 15 minutes by car. It takes 50 minutes to get to the airport by car. The Russian Market and Museum are also nearby.
The Join us Plaza (Huayi dasha) is located in the city center, right beside the Railway station, only two minutes walk. It takes 35 minutes to get to the airport by car.This is a four star hotel, with over 150 rooms including standard rooms, deluxe rooms, suites and Presidential suites. The hotel also offers a deluxe suite for those craving a little more luxury and indulgence.
The Holiday Inn (Haerbin wanda jiari jiudian) is centrally located in the main business and leisure areas of Daoli district, just off Central Street, offering the discerning traveler easy access to business, shopping and entertainment centers. It is very easy to get to Song Hua River, St. Sophia Church and Zhao Lin Park where the Ice Lantern Festival is held every year.
The Heilongjiang Kunlun Hotel (Heilongjiang kunlun dajiudian) is about 35km from the airport, 0.5km from the railway station, 198km from Yabuli ski resort and 5km from Zhaolin Park, where the annual Ice Lantern Festival takes place.The hotel has four star facilities and over 300 rooms, equipped with standard facilities and equipment.
The Sinoway Hotel (Huarong fandian) is situated in the prosperous business district of the city, within easy access to the railway station.The hotel has more than 300 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. Rooms are equipped with wide band internet sockets, in-room safe, satellite TV and minibar.The hotel cater well for it business facilities. There are various size meeting rooms, the largest can hold up to 500 people.
The Singapore hotel is located in the southeast of the city, approximately a 20 minute drive from the railway station, 1 hour from the airport. An airport transfer service is available upon request. The commercial districts can be reached by car within 15-20 minutes.For kids (or simply the young at heart!), Dreamland water sports park is within walking distance.
The Shangri-La Hotel(Xianggelila fandian) is located downtown, close to the Songhua River and overlooking the Central Business District. Set amidst pretty surroundings, the Shangri-La is approximately 40km from the airport and 10km from the railway station. The hotel provide a free limousine service to and from the airport.
The Fortune Days Hotel (Fushun tiantian dajiudain) is a five star standard hotel managed by professional hotelier. It is a joint venture, and also a member of Days Inn, USA. The hotel is located in the heart of Economic and Technological Development Zone.The hotel boasts a total of 184 guestrooms and suite, including a Presidential Suite.
The Jin Gu Hotel (Jingu dasha) is centrally located in the main business and leisure areas of Daoli district, just off Central Street, offering the discerning traveler easy access to business, shopping and entertainment centers. It is 30 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes from the railway station.This is a three star hotel with over 200 rooms including standard rooms, suites and deluxe suites.
The Harbin Post Hotel is located in a quiet street, close to Hongbo Square commercial center, only 10 minutes’ walk from the railway station and 45 minutes drive from the airport.This is a three star hotel with over 100 rooms of varying standard and facilities. All rooms have central air conditioning, private bathrooms, refrigerator, satellite TV and IDD telephone.
Traveling with the monsters always limits evening entertainment a little, but the Red Lion Pub was a hit with everyone. Good, simple Western food and good, cold beer (and great hot chocolate!) The decor was sufficiently seedy, with rickety wooden tables and uncomfortable stools and benches to feel like we were a long way from north-eastern China. Friendly, smiling and attentive staff.
In the Ice & Snow World Park there is no possibility you will stand more than 30 minutes outdoors without freezing, so a good option is to warm up drinking some beer (not a cold one, pleaase!!!). By the way, Harbin is also famous in China for its brewery…
Transfer via: Transport-can be arranged by us, however is not included in this quotation
resort in China but also renowned for its scenic beauty.
Day1: Arrive / Harbin