Harbin Travel Forum

Hi all, I will be travelling to Harbin with my dad as on the dates titled, and I seriously need some helpful tips on the type of clothings to wear etc. The personnel at the tour agency told us that it will be around negative 20 degrees during that period, and my dad was rather worried about that.

Is 4 sweaters per person enough to withstand the cold? Would appreciate if anyone can help provide some tips on that.

Thank all in advance... :)

CHeers,
Jac

Your travel agency wasn't kidding you.
Since I presume at least one of you can read Chinese, take a look at http://www.weathercn.com for a good weather forecast nearer to the date. http://www.wunderground.com will have historical weather data that you can check as well.
Putting on tons and tons of sweaters is NOT the way to go. You'll be so bundled up you can't move, that's silly. Thermal underwear (aka long johns) + sweater + down coat (preferably long ones) + woolly socks + woolly hat + gloves (2 pairs if possible) + snow shoes (those that look like fur-lined galoshes are best) + scarf will be what you need. Buy the barest minimum in Cold Wear (outlets in Suntec City and Plaza Singapura) and then the rest in Harbin, will be loads cheaper and more variety.
There're good articles (in Chinese) about winter clothing at http://www.snowtour.cn/Article/dongfuzhuang/200610/41.html and http://www.cbshan.net/bbs/dispbbs.asp?boardID=15&ID=1170&page=1 (with pictures) so you should try and read those as well.

I just came back from Harbin. Was there on 25-27 Dec and 29-30 Dec.

Not very cold but the air quality is bad.

What I had on was a long-john, fleece sweater, double layer jacket. Thin by Harbin standard. On 25-Dec evening, we were walking along YouYi road (20 mins) without hat, gloves.

On 26-Dec, we visited Sophia Church in the morning. It was cold. Gloves, Hats required. Main thing to watch out for is to avoid the wind blowing directly on your face.

Evening visited the Ice Sculpture, very cold on the fingers and face. Body alright with the same above attire.

If you are arriving in Harbin by flight and taking a cab to hotel. From hotel, you can go to Wal-Mart or Pai Lian Complex (by cab) where you can buy winter wears at very economical prices.

If you are arriving from Beijing, you can also buy winter clothes at Carrefour or Xidan.

You can visit http://community.webshots/user/TheChinaMan to view some pictures of my trip.

Enjoy your trip.

Hi Ellyse and Walter,

Thanks for the great tips! One last question, do you all think it is possible to wear contact lens while I'm there?

Cheers,
Jac

I'd advise you not to. It's quite dry and it might be uncomfortable.