Harbin Ice and Snow World Festival (China)

Entry information

Visa requirements vary by nationality. Please check and apply in advance if needed.
Several European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, and others, currently benefit from visa-free entry to China for short stays. However, visa policies may change—please check the official website for up-to-date information.

Day 1 (December 28) – Beijing

Arrival in Beijing is scheduled for the morning or early afternoon. The hotel is easily accessible by subway (we’ll explain how to get there), but if needed, we can arrange an airport pickup upon request.
The group will meet at 6:00 PM at the hotel for the introductory briefing, ready to explore the great Chinese capital—home to over 20 million people and 3,000 years of history—ranging from the hutong (Beijing’s traditional alleyway neighborhoods) to the iconic skyscraper of the CCTV headquarter, China Central Television.

Overnight at hotel in Beijing.

Day 2 (December 29) – Beijing

Meet your English-speaking guide at 9:00 AM. Our Beijing tour begins with Tiananmen Square, the largest and most famous public square in the world, where many historic events have taken place.
You’ll have the option to visit the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong (also known as the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall), where the embalmed body of Mao Zedong, founder and former leader of the People’s Republic of China, is on display.
We will then enter the Forbidden City (UNESCO World Heritage Site), where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled for nearly 500 years (1420–1911). We’ll explore the architectural splendor of the grand palaces, ceremonial courtyards, and private quarters.
From the nearby Jingshan Hill —an artificial hill built with the earth excavated to create the palace moat— we’ll enjoy a panoramic view over the entire Forbidden City and much of Beijing.
We will also visit another renowned imperial site: the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO World Heritage Site), where ancient Chinese emperors performed sacrifices to Heaven and prayed for bountiful harvests. This masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture offers a stunning setting—perfect for capturing evocative photographs as we wait for the sunset.

Overnight at hotel in Beijing.

Day 3 (December 30) – Beijing

We’ll visit some of Beijing’s key sights located farther from the city center, such as the Summer Palace.
On our way back into the city, we’ll stop for an exterior visit of the Olympic Stadium, nicknamed the Bird’s Nest, and the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube. Nearby, we’ll also see the striking Digital Beijing Building—a futuristic structure with a façade inspired by circuit boards and barcodes, originally built as the data and control center for the 2008 Olympics.

Overnight at hotel in Beijing.

Day 4 (December 31) – Beijing Water Town and the Great Wall

Today we set off for Beijing Wtown (also known as Gubei Water Town), a picturesque mosaic of mountains and water. Rebuilt by combining five historic villages, this scenic area features traditional courtyards nestled at the foot of the Simatai section of the Great Wall. The transfer is by car or minivan with driver, covering about 150 km (95 miles) in approximately 2–3 hours.

In the early afternoon, we’ll visit China’s most iconic monument: the Great Wall (UNESCO), the most spectacular structure ever built by humankind and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, chosen in 2007. This particular section of the Wall is especially interesting due to its remarkably lower number of visitors compared to the more crowded sections closer to the capital.

Back at the hotel, we’ll take time to relax at the hot springs while waiting for the evening to unfold. It’s a truly special experience to stroll along the town’s canals and see the Great Wall illuminated at night, celebrating the New Year in a unique way—with a spectacular drone show and the traditional dragon dance.

Overnight at hotel in WTown.

Day 5 (January 1) – Harbin

Transfer by car or minivan to Chengde train station (about 95 km / 60 miles) in approximately 1.5 hours, then board a high-speed train to Harbin (around 1300 km / 800 miles in 4–5 hours, 1st class). Upon arrival to Harbin, visit the famous Zhongyang Avenue, Harbin’s central street and the longest pedestrian cobblestone street (about 1.5 km) in all of Asia.

Overnight stay in Harbin.

Day 6 (January 2) – Harbin

Full day dedicated to visiting the Harbin Ice and Snow World, the largest and most famous ice and snow festival in the world.

Overnight stay in Harbin.

Day 7 (January 3) – Harbin

In the morning, visit of Harbin, including the Jile Temple, home to a massive golden Buddha statue.
In the afternoon, you can independently visit the Unit 731 Museum (about 45 minutes by subway from central Harbin), a memorial dedicated to the atrocities committed by the Japanese army during World War II. The museum documents the inhumane experiments conducted on prisoners, aiming to raise awareness of war crimes and promote peace through historical memory.
In the evening, visit the Chinese Baroque district.

Overnight stay in Harbin.

Day 8 (January 4) – Return

Return from Harbin to Beijing by high-speed train (about 1,300 km / 800 miles in approximately 4–5 hours, 1st class), then transfer to the airport or to your hotel if you wish to stay longer in China.

Extend your trip

Want to experience even more of China? After Harbin you can extend your journey with a customized trip — either on your own or with a guide — to explore nearby cities or other fascinating destinations across the country.
👉 Contact us to plan your extension