Harbin Travel Forum

I' m going to Harbin in Jan 2007, and take my 7 yrs. daughter with me. Our family lives in tropical country, but She used to travel many country where usually have snow. But I 'm worry about Harbin because I 've heard that it may be minus more over 30-40C. What should we do or prepare, and how much accessories should be enough to protect the coldest like this. Thanks so much.

it could be a shock if you are not used to it. Will you be staying in hotels? if so the heating may be ok (in most higher end hotels anyway).

China does have very nice thermal underwears (long johns) for the cold winter so you should try to pick up one or two as soon as it gets there. Othewise a nice warm sweater, ski jacket, ski cap, neck warmer and gloves will be a good start (instead of carrying them you may just want to buy them locally as they are cheap and they will know what's best for the weather!)

Don't forget to bring along some medicine that your kid normally takes as it will be hard to get western medicine in Harbin

Kids are surprising more adaptive than adults.

Definitely long johns! (thermal underwear), you may even want to put on 2 layers of that before the rest of the layers.
Another thing: expect to come indoors approx. every 30-40 minutes, to get warm.
Enjoy the Ice Festival!

g-n

Hallo!
I've been to Changchun (a bit south of Harbin) in winter and it is true: the temperature goes deep down to -30 C!
My advise: dress in layers, always try to stay inside and when moving outside cover your head, your throat and hands with thermic garments and also use thermic underwear.
Never let your feet get cold!!!
But it's wonderful, there's the Ice sculpture festival, it's amazing!!!
Enjoy!
S

I think the max is usually around -35 degrees Celsius, and it isn't as bad as it sounds, the wind factor isn't too strong. Going to a slightly warmer (but still sub-zero temperature) destination before that to acclimatise would also be a good idea, if you have the time.

Just follow the above advice and don't worry.
I am in Harbin and I do not think it is as cold as what you thought.It is usually -20-25C,-30-40C are seldom.