Winter in the North: Harbin Ice Lanterns and Skiing

Church of St. Sophia

Towering over the sprawling Chinese metropolis, the verdigris domes of the Church of St. Sophia are a sight for sore eyes. Constructed in 1907 to serve Harbin’s booming Russian population, this once-functioning Russian Orthodox Church – the largest in the Far East – was almost lost to development. Fortunately, charitable donations during the 1990s helped to transform the cathedral-turned-warehouse into a museum. As you walk beneath its timeworn arches, peruse the collection of images and artifacts depicting the lives of foreigners in old Harbin, including its vivacious Russian and Jewish communities.

Central Street

Alive with Russian heirloom shops, locals going about their daily life, and a fascinating blend of architectural styles, Central Street (or Zhongyang Dajie) is the main boulevard through Harbin’s historic quarter. Once called Kitayskaya Street, meaning Chinese in Russian, this pedestrian-only thoroughfare is lined with churches, synagogues, and Baroque and Art Deco buildings, some newly renovated and some worn by time. As you wander the cobbles listening to tales of the city’s rich history, you can almost picture the locals from Harbin’s founding, bedecked in fur and walking the age-old streets with Jewish pastries in hand.

Lao DaoWai

East meets west and old and new collide on Lao DaoWai. Wander past the remnants of Harbin’s Russian heritage and tuck into a local snack as you walk along this old street. Some grand, some dilapidated with time, and many of them centuries old, the historic district’s timeworn Baroque buildings (with nods to Chinese design) will leave you feeling like you’re in Europe instead of China.

Ice and Snow World

When winter comes to China’s icy north, the city of Harbin transforms into a veritable winter wonderland. After all, Harbin doesn’t have the nickname ‘Ice City’ for nothing. With ice hauled from the frozen river by over 10,000 workers, a monumental city is constructed – complete with glacial castles stretching to 35m tall and thrilling slides – and lit up like the world’s coldest disco when the sun sets. So, don your warmest clothes and get ready for a whole host of wintry fun.

One-on-one with a Harbin Ice Sculptor

Get acquainted with ice-sculptor extraordinaire Mr Chankun Li for a look behind the curtain of the world-famous festival of all things frost: the phantasmagorical Harbin Ice and Snow World. Mr Li has been honing his craft, creating fanciful sculptures from ice, for 30 years, and delights in explaining precisely what goes into this unusual art form, where masterpieces are doomed to eventually melt away. Like many fellow Harbinites, Mr Li only speaks Chinese, but a guide will be on hand to translate throughout the 30-minute meeting.

An Evening to Yourself

Head back into town, rest up, and spend the remainder of your evening as you please.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

International Snow Sculpture Art Expo

Setting foot in Sun Island’s International Snow Sculpture Art Expo is like stepping through the wardrobe and into the snow-covered fairyland of Narnia. Here, artists from around the world craft gargantuan sculptures out of tightly packed powder. Marvel at the sculptors creating their frozen masterpieces and get enough snowman-making inspiration to last a lifetime as you wander the frosted snowscape.

Next stop: Yabuli

Magnificent Yabuli is the first, largest and best ski resort in China, and the home to the country’s Alpine, Nordic, and Freestyle olympic teams. Riding any of the nine lifts is an unforgettable experience of its own; a front row seat to a spectacular alpine landscape seldom associated with China. The season here runs from mid-November through to the end of March, with 17 slopes offering ample opportunity to skiers of all levels.

Sunset at Hufengling

Bear witness to the setting sun from the forested rise of Hufengling, whose snow-laden birch trees suggest more Narnia than northeast China. The mountain ridges beyond provide the perfect stage for this solar play, rich oranges and reds enhanced by the haze of the crisp winter air. At this time of year, the sun sets early – around 4:30pm – leaving plenty of time to head back down for a restorative, warming meal.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Skiing at Yabuli (half-day)

Take to the slopes of China’s premier ski resort with a half day among the alpine wonderland of powder and pines that is Yabuli. Numerous, graded routes cater for every skill and confidence level, with a five-kilometer Nordic trail for those seeking a lower octane excursion. Multiple ski lifts ensure there are seldom long queues onto the mountain, enhancing what is already an exquisite winter sports experience.

Your Flight Back Home

After a farewell lunch, your WildChina guide will escort you to the Harbin airport and help you check in for your flight home.

Meals included: breakfast and lunch