7-Day Harbin Winter Tour: Shenyang, Ice Festival & Snow Town

Fly to Shenyang. After being picked up by the tour group, check into the hotel.

Start your day at the vibrant Northeastern morning market—the [Xiaoheyuan Morning Market]. With a 200-year history dating back to the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, this bustling hub was a temple fairground on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. Farmers and vendors would set up stalls here spontaneously, closing after noon, gradually transforming it into a century-old market. Savor the local flavors of Northeastern morning markets: frozen pears, preserved persimmons, glutinous bean buns, beef hot pot, donkey rolls, fried cakes, tofu pudding, fried dough sticks, and grilled cold noodles!!! Visiting the [Shenyang Imperial Palace], also known as the Shengjing Imperial Palace, was initiated in the tenth year of the Tianming reign of the Qing Taizu (1625) and completed in the first year of the Chongde reign (1636).

After breakfast, take a bus to Harbin. Upon arrival, stroll through the golden corridor of the century-old "Oriental Moscow" — Zhongyang Street, an open-air living architectural art museum. Ancient cobblestones weathered by time lie beneath your feet, flanked by facades showcasing 300 years of European architectural heritage. This is the perfect starting point for your magical journey in the Ice City. Visit St. Sophia Cathedral in Harbin's city center. More than just a church, it stands as a living historical monument that witnessed the clash and fusion of Eastern and Western cultures on this land. Its majestic Byzantine dome is Harbin's most iconic symbol as the "Oriental Moscow.

After breakfast, take a vehicle to the Snow Sculpture Art Hall—Sun Island. In winter, the snow here transforms from soft white powder into a magical canvas in the hands of artists. The Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Expo, held here, is the world's largest snow sculpture art festival. You'll witness magnificent castles, mysterious totems, and vivid figures carved from tons of snow. These colossal snow sculptures gleam under the sunlight, forming a pristine and fantastical world. For lunch, we recommend trying Northeastern iron pot stew. After a brief rest at the hotel in the afternoon, we journeyed to the ultimate winter wonderland that every traveler must experience: [Ice and Snow World]. This isn't just winter—it's a parallel universe of crystalline ice.

After breakfast, we took a bus to the winter fairy tale of the northeast-Snow Town After lunch, check into the homestay. Rest on the cozy kang (a traditional heated brick bed) to acclimate to the surroundings. [Stroll along Xueyun Street], the main thoroughfare of the Snow Town. As the lights come on, red lanterns illuminate the pristine snow-covered rooftops, creating perfect conditions for capturing the iconic night views. Savor local Northeastern Chinese dishes at the homestay, such as pork stewed with vermicelli, chicken stewed with mushrooms, and pot-baked pork. Later, you can join a [firewood bonfire party] (if organized by the homestay) or learn to make dumplings.

In the early morning, climb the scenic boardwalk to take in the sweeping panorama of the snow village bathed in morning light, capturing the most dramatic photos of the snow mushrooms. Start your day with breakfast and rest indoors. Try the traditional [Mala sleigh], a vintage winter transport. Then head to a ski resort (such as Yangcaoshan or nearby) for skiing or the simpler snow tube activity, perfect for families and beginners. In the afternoon, visit the Snow Town Film and Television Base to learn about the movies and TV series filmed here. You can grab a warm cup of milk tea or enjoy snowball fights and snowman building in the snowy fields. In the evening, enjoy the final night in the snow village by sampling local Northeastern Chinese dishes and purchasing local specialties like pine nuts and hazelnuts as souvenirs.

After breakfast, return to Harbin and return to the airport according to the flight schedule.