8 Days Northeast China Tour from Harbin

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Harbin

   Welcome to this 8-day China Dongbei tour starting at the Ice City - Harbin! Upon your arrival, your private driver will pick you up at the exit of the Arrival Hall and then escort you to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free for you.

   Recommended Attraction: Covering an area of 6 hectares, Zhaolin Park was built in 1906. Today, the park is the venue for the annual Harbin Winter Ice Lantern Show. You will enjoy many ice sculptures and experience various rides such as, ice slides, ice maze, spinning top on ice, and ice skating. Zhaolin Park is free of admission, every year starting around January 5 and continuing until the end of February.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Harbin

   

2. Day 2: Harbin Ice Snow World Tour
   Exquisite Snow Sculptures & An Enchanting Illuminated Ice Wonderland

   Today, your Northeast China Tour in Harbin begins at the world-famous Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo in the Sun Island Scenic Area. Unlike the ice sculptures we'll see this afternoon at the Ice and Snow World, the snow sculptures here are more suitable for daytime viewing. The annual snow expo lasts about two months, during which visitors will enjoy a variety of large-scale snow sculptures from Chinese and foreign artists, which are exquisite in appearance and have a strong sense of art.

   Next, you will be transferred to the Siberian Tiger Park, which is adjacent to the scenic Sun Island. Covering an area of 360,000 square meters, it was established to save and protect the world's endangered species, the Northeast Tiger. We will take a special sightseeing bus to enjoy the wild tigers walking freely. Besides, you will see white lions, leopards, lynx and other treasured animals.

   

   In the evening, go to experience the magical Ice and Snow World. The Harbin Ice Festival is recognized as the world's largest snow and ice theme park and is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is a winter wonderland illuminated by colorful LED lights and is open from Christmas to early March. Here you will enjoy beautiful ice and snow sculptures as well as a snow castle. When night falls, the ice lanterns are even more enchanting with their colorful lights. Various snow recreation programs such as ice slides, ice bikes and Ferris wheels enrich your experience. At the end of the day, return to the hotel for a good rest.

   Warm Tips:

   During peak hours, especially during the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year and weekends, the queues for many programs get longer.

   Meal: Breakfast+Lunch

   Accommodation: in Harbin

   

3. Day 3: Harbin to Jilin Tour by Van
   Historical Architecture, Cultural Explorations of Street and Museum

   In the morning, we will first take you to see the St. Sophia Cathedral from the outside. Built in 1907, it is a typical Byzantine building with a huge green onion-head dome. Named as the Architectural Art Museum of Harbin, St. Sophia Church showcases the history, culture and architectural art of Harbin. Afterwards, walk to Central Street, where you can will see many Baroque-style European buildings and interesting ice and snow sculptures of different shapes.

   

   Next, we will head to the historical district of Harbin - Laodaowai. Baroque style buildings built in the early 20th century can be seen everywhere. Unlike the old European buildings along Central Street, most of the buildings in Laodaowai were built by Chinese merchants in the early 20th century, with a lot of Chinese elements. In addition, there are many specialty restaurants in this area for tourists to taste authentic Harbin cuisine.

   The last stop on your Harbin tour is the Heilongjiang Provincial Museum, where you can see dinosaur fossils and animal specimens, as well as ancient ceramic pots, silver jewelry and jade, weapons, calligraphy and paintings, and other cultural relics unearthed in Heilongjiang Province. If you are lucky, you can also see temporary exhibitions, such as handicraft exhibitions.

   After your Harbin tour, we will drive for 5.5 hours to Jilin City. Get some rest in the van.

   Meal: Breakfast+Lunch

   Accommodation: in Jilin

   

4. Day 4: Jilin Tour to Changchun by Van
   Amazing Frosty Trees at Sunrise on Rime Island

   Today, you need to get up early. We will drive about 1.5 hours to the fascinating Rime Island. It is a small island in the river impacted on the Songhua River and is a well-known fog viewing destination in China. It is undoubtedly a paradise for photographers.

   In winter, the water mist rising from the river gets cold and condenses into frost on the trees, which is beautifully illuminated by the golden sunrise. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the snow-covered path lined with beautiful trees decorated with white frost.

   Warm tips:

   • It is very cold on Rime Island in winter, usually 20-30 degrees Celsius below zero. You must wear a thick down jacket and high-top, non-slip snow shoes. Cotton hats, masks, gloves and scarves are also essential.
   • Rime usually forms at a specific temperature. Please check with your travel advisor before booking this tour.

   

   Continuing your exploration of the Songhua River, you will admire the exterior of the Catholic Church, capturing photos of the harmonious blend of snow and architecture. Afterward, drive back to the city to visit the Sika Deer Farm. Here you will see hundreds of adult and young sika deer. Learn more about their habitat and conservation efforts through your guide's interpretations. Finally, drive to Changchun for an overnight stay.

   Meal: Breakfast+Lunch

   Accommodation: in Changchun

   

5. Day 5: Changchun Tour to Shenyang by Van
   Discovering Historical Legacy in Changchun

   The Northeast tour in Shenyang begins at the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo, the palace of the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty when he acted as a puppet emperor of the Manchukuo. He lived here from 1932 to 1945. Today it is restored to the environment where the emperor once lived and worked, with a large number of historical materials and artifacts on display, allowing visitors to learn about the first half of his life and the facts of the Japanese invasion of China.

   Following that, your guide will take you through the historical significance of the Eight Ministries of the Puppet Manchuguo Regime. You will also admire the complex of buildings that were once the administrative center of a unique period in Chinese history.

   After the visit, we will drive for 4 hours to Shenyang. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast+Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shenyang

   

6. Day 6: Shenyang Tour to Dalian by High-speed Train
   Ancient Palace Architecture and Artifacts at Shenyang Imperial Palace

   After breakfast, follow your guide to explore the history of Shenyang at Shenyang Imperial Palace. It is one of the two remaining complete palace complexes in China. You will enjoy the exquisite ancient palace architecture as well as a large number of palace artifacts left over from the old Imperial Palace. Then proceed to Marshal Zhang's Mansion, which was built in 1914 and covers an area of 36,000 square meters. Learn about Marshal Zhang's former life through well-preserved artifacts. Admire the magnificent architecture and beautiful gardens.

   

   After lunch, drive for half an hour to Zhaoling Mausoleum located in the Beiling Park. Zhaoling Mausoleum is the joint tomb of the second founding monarch of the Qing Dynasty and his empress. In the Beiling Park, with ancient pines in the sky, green grass and trees, and rippling lakes, you will feel the majesty and magnificence of the royal mausoleum as well as the elegance and beauty of modern gardens.

   After your Dongbei tour in Shengyang, you will be escorted to take a high-speed train to Dalian. Relax on the train, and the seaside charm of Dalian is waiting for you.

   Meal: Breakfast+Lunch

   Accommodation: in Dalian

   

7. Day 7: Dalian Tour
   Explore Coastal Geology, Relax at Golden Beach

   After breakfast, explore Jinshitan Coastal National Geopark. Jinshitan has won the reputation of "Miracle of Nature" and "Natural Geological Museum" by virtue of the unique mountainous landforms along the coast, the marvelous reef formations on the beach, and the rich paleontological fossils in the rock formations. Most of the rocks in the park were formed 600-800 million years ago, and show various interesting shapes, such as elephants, tigers, dinosaurs and so on. Afterwards, board the sightseeing bus to Golden Beach. Spend some leisure time on the golden sandy beach, feeling the soothing coastal breeze and soft sand.

   

   Next continue your Dalian coastal tour at Fu Jia Zhuang Park. Fu Jia Zhuang Beach Bathing Area is one of the four major sea bathing areas in Dalian, with a 450-meter-long coastline and changing and showering areas. Take a walk along the coastline and enjoy the breathtaking sea view. Lastly, drive you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast+Lunch

   Accommodation: in Dalian

8. Day 8: Departure from Dalian
   Enjoy Coral Reefs, Polar Animals, Sea Lion Show, Birds in Bird Forest

   After breakfast, we will head to a very popular destination for children - Tiger Beach Ocean Park. This place is surrounded by mountains and the sea, and is both a world of marine animals and birds as well as a seaside scenic spot.

   

   First you will visit the Coral Hall, which showcases more than 200 species of coral reef. You will also enjoy the underwater ballet, mermaid show, underwater wedding and other performances. Afterwards, visit the Polar Aquarium to see a variety of marine species such as beluga whales, walruses, polar bears, penguins, jellyfish, and seahorses. Then, enjoy a fun sea lion show. Visit the Marine Animal Hall to see sea dogs, seals, and other marine animals from underwater, overwater, and overhead. Finally, the park's Bird Forest is one of the largest semi-natural artificial aviaries in China, where you'll see more than 80 species of birds, including peacocks, white swans, and red-crowned cranes.

   

   After the Ocean Park tour, your driver will take you to Xinghai Square, Asia's largest city square, equivalent in size to 4 Tiananmen Square. The square is equipped with services such as seating, restrooms, water fountains, vending machines, and electric rides.

   Your Northeast China Tour from Harbin ends here. The guide will escort you to the airport for your departure flight. Wish you a pleasant journey!

   Meal: Breakfast+Lunch

   Accommodation: N/A