Harbin Travel Forum

We are planning to visit Harbin for the Snow and Ice Festival January 2009. Can anyone suggest the most convenient hotel to be able to walk around the city and still have easy access to the sites?

Hi! I plan to cross over from harbin to qiqihar, which is the best way train/ bus? how long is the journey, is there any overnight train/ bus? Is it safe to travel in bus/train in China?
Thanks?

Hi! I plan to go to Harbin somewhere in May. How's the weather like?
Is it possible to travel from Harbin to Qi qi Har. How to get there, train/ bus? Thanks!

I am looking for information on Harbin Russians, including where records might be, the schools, universities, any other surviving buildings, cemeteries, etc., in Harbin. Does anyone have any info that might help me?

Hi,

I and my colleagues will be travelling to Harbin between 24 December 2007 - 31st December. i've travelled to Beijing last winter sometime end January, but i dont think in Beijing will be as cool as in Harbin... especially the dryness i need some tips of how to overcome such a dry weather coz i have experienced how my noise suffered.

Thank you very much for your reply.

I am going to Harbin on Jan 6, 2008. Is there any way we can purchase train ticket from Harbin to Beijing in advance? appreciate any advise you can provide as we are on budget travel.

Thanks

Regards
Angie

Hi. Will be going to Harbin during end of Dec this year. Heard that the climate there this year has became warmer. Would like to ask those who currently live in Harbin what is the climate there now? Has the ice-sculpture things begin preparation already? Heard that these process will not begin if the temperature is not cold enough.

The ice-sculpture is the main thing that attract us to go there. If we are not able to see them during this period (17Dec-25Dec), we may consider to change course.

Thanks.

hello, i'm intending to travel to harbin from the 1st to 8th jan 2008
i was doing some research on air fare and chanced upon one that is arnd 776sing dollars. i seek some advice for a better deal for the air fare.. and also on hotels there in harbin.thank u.

I will be moving to Harbin in a few days, and am looking for apartments. Can anyone suggest good areas, things to ask for or watch out for, and average prices for apartments? Do most furnished apartments come with toilets and washing machines/dish washers? I assume they will be different and to different standards than in the west, but I'm trying to find out what will be somewhat comparable. What about internet connection? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, John

Im from Malaysia, would like to go harbin on jan 08, any cheapest way to travel there? already know that from malaysia have to transit the air flight, but just dunno what's the right way to go. Is anyone here can advise me, thanks a lot for reply.

we will be visiting harbin in dec 19-20. may research tells me that the ice festival hasn't started yet. is it still worth the visit? will there be snow around this time? thanks

Hi. I am planning to go to har bin early january 2008. I would like some help on the transportation estimation. I would like to know how much does it cost to travel to Harbin from Beijing by using train / plane? and where can i get those ticket.

Thank you

Can someone tell me if the ice sculptures will still be standing by Feb 10th or do they knock them all down as part of the festival??? Also. how much is a taxi from the airport to the city (roughly). Thanks

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

Wonder any VT member has a Harbin map in English and be kind enough to post it on here. Your response will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Hi there. Can anyone out there help me?

I am planning on going to Harbin for the Ice and Snow Festival in 2007 and need to know the closing date. I realise that it is weather dependent, but I have heard closing dates ranging anywhere from February 5 to March 1.

Also, are there any other things in China that I just HAVE TO see (other than the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors)? Likewise, anything that I really should give a BIG MISS! I will be travelling for approximately 5 weeks and may never get the chance to go back again. My plan so far is Beijing, Harbin, Hohhot,X'ian,Tibet,Hong Kong,Shanghai....and whatever comes in between.

Personal favourites or dislikes...any feedback is appreciated - good or bad!!

Thankyou everybody.

hey there,
I was wondering if there are any cheap hotels or hostels really close by the "centre street". If so, how much??? I have an epic adventure in february and would love nice cheap SAFE(probably most important) accommodation...If no cheap places near the "centre Street", where are they? are they close enough to see all the site of Harbin! Cheers!

Thomas

I will be travelling to Beijing from about Dec 22 - Jan 20 this month, and I am trying to squeeze in a weekend trip to Harbin to see Unit 731 and the Ice Festival from Jan 12-14. My questions are:
1) Will these two sights be open on Friday/Saturday/Sunday if I take an overnight train from Beijing on Thursday and arrive Friday?
2) Would the previous weekend be a better time to go (Jan 5-7)? This would be the only other time I could go.
3) Is it better to take a train or fly? As long as the train is safe and reliable I have no problem using that method.
4) I have a pretty good digital camera -- should I be worried it will freeze or break if I try to take pictures in the extreme cold?

Thanks so much for your help!

Hi! I'll be in Harbin towards the end of Dec e.g 28th. I'm travelling with a travel agent & and they told me that I would get the chance to admire the ice carving & its finish piece...I'm a bit worried if there's nothing to see.Can anyone share his/her experiences ?

TQ so much.

BEIJING, HARBIN, SHENYANG.
Travelling alone. Seeking travel companion. Would appreciate VT members who are kind enough and can spare a time to meet for meals, tea/beer.
Fellow travellers who are keen for companionship can be for one or all of the cities mentioned.
Will land in BEIJING on January 10, 2007 heading straight to HARBIN for 5 days by Train, onwards to SHENYANG for a brief stay (perhaps 2 days), then to DANDONG - both cities in Liaoning Province. Back to BEIJING around January 19/20 visiting the best places BEIJING has to offer.
I am a Male, Malaysian Chinese, speak, read and write English. Also speak fluent Mandarin (Putonghua - the language of communication in China).
Thank you.

Okay, i know the best time to visit harbin is in January as everyone has said. However, working in china means i only get the school holidays off! I will be arriving in Harbin (if I a get a positive response) on the 2nd or 3rd of Feb 2007! i have also read that the ice festival starts roughly on the 5th of Jan and goes for approx. 1 month. Right? My question is, will the sculptures be still standing when I arrive (because that is pretty much the only reason I want to see harbin---also the russian influuence)????getting there earlier is not an option! Am i wasting my time? I know no-one knows exactly when this year will start to get warmer, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, Thomas

Hi guys! I was born and raised in Harbin, and currently live in California. I am going back to Harbin on Dec 24th and will stay there for 3 weeks. I would like to meet some new friends to go to the ICE Festival together. And does anyone know any good parties/clubs for Xmas or New Year?

Is anybody interested in providing me translation and tour guide services during my visit to Harbin?
The visit is scheduled for ~21-25 January, 2007.
I plan to visit the ice festival and Unit 731. I would pay a daily stipend and reimburse related travel expenses. Also looking for epxeriences in Harbin/Chinese culture and food.
I do not speak Chinese. I am looking for somebody fluent in both Chinese and English, or Chinese and Spanish.
This arrangement has worked well for me 3 times to foreign countries other than China.
I invite you to contact me at RJSlade@Airmail.net

Does anyone know the schedule of the ice festival in Harbin next year (opening and closing dates)? Will there still be enough displays in the last few days of January? Thanks.

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.

Hi all,

I am considering to travel Harbin.
May I know which is the best time to go?
If we travel on chinese new year 2007, is it ok?
My country has no four season, and this is
the first time, I am going to china harbin
and I am afraid I cannot withstand the cold
and spoilt the trip.

Pls advised.

Can anyone tell me about this place? I read in tour guide, the place is open from 9am. Does it mean I can go there with kids? Would that be appropriate to take there 12 years old? Day or night time? Thanks to all in advance.

I am a resident of Gifu -city japan. I have a japanese employee that is married to a chinese national from Harbin.

Recently, she has flown back to Harbin claiming her dad is hospitalized with an unknown(unknown to her husband)illness. She took with her USD$4,000 cash , that she says will pay for her dads hospitals cost since he has no medical insurance.

She has been gone 3 weeks now and she told her husband she is working part0time now since all the money she had is gone. Her husband insisted on coming to see her and see her father in the hospital. She refused his offer and tols him to stay and work and send a 1000 dollars each month for her fathers medical bills.

Now , being american, i am really suspecting that this woman has duped her husband.

So, my question is. what is the name of the best hospital in Harbin. ? She told him he is staying at the best hospital and that is why the bills are high.

someone gimme a hand here, cause i really feel sorry for the guy.

can someone tell me if the displays are still on. what one shld wear and are there youth hostels at harbin or decent but budget accomodation with heating

There have been news reports about the water coming back on and the water being safe to drink. Can anyone advise whether it is safe (or relatively safe) to visit ? We were planning to go over the New Year weekend. Are the tourists coming this year ?

Also will we be able to see the ice sculptures even though the ice festival doesnt open until 5th Jan ?

Thanks very much
L