
Songhua River Rafting Base Changbai Mountain
Harbin's Songhua River transforms into a breathtaking winter wonderland with ice sculptures, thrilling activities, and unique cultural sights.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Crisp air, best ice formations

Songhua River Rafting Base Changbai Mountain
Best Time
Crisp air, best ice formations

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Harbin's Songhua River transforms into a breathtaking winter wonderland with ice sculptures, thrilling activities, and unique cultural sights.
"A truly magical winter wonderland with ice sculptures, activities, and even friendly foxes!"

🧥 Dress for the Cold!
Layer up with thermal wear, waterproof boots, and gloves. It gets seriously cold!
🎟️ VIP Tickets Save Time
Splurge on VIP tickets to bypass long queues for slides and attractions.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Songhua River Ice Sculptures
Songhua River
Marvel at intricate ice sculptures and a winter wonderland transformed from the frozen river.

Winter Swimming Spectacle
Songhua River
Witness brave locals take a dip in the icy Songhua River, a unique cultural spectacle.

Ice Maze and Activities
Songhua River
Get lost in a thrilling ice maze and enjoy ice skating and sledding on the frozen river.

Cuddly White Fox Encounters
Near Songhua River
Encounter adorable white foxes seeking affection from passersby for a heartwarming moment.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Winter Wonderland
Navigating the Ice City
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🧥 Dress for the Cold!
Layer up with thermal wear, waterproof boots, and gloves. It gets seriously cold!
🎟️ VIP Tickets Save Time
Splurge on VIP tickets to bypass long queues for slides and attractions.
🧊 Ice Blocks Scenery
Find photogenic ice blocks for free under the Songhuajiang bridge.
🏨 River View Rooms
Book rooms facing Songhua River for fireworks views from your window.
Tips
from all over the internet
🧥 Dress for the Cold!
Layer up with thermal wear, waterproof boots, and gloves. It gets seriously cold!
🎟️ VIP Tickets Save Time
Splurge on VIP tickets to bypass long queues for slides and attractions.
🧊 Ice Blocks Scenery
Find photogenic ice blocks for free under the Songhuajiang bridge.
🏨 River View Rooms
Book rooms facing Songhua River for fireworks views from your window.
🗺️ Chinese Taxi Names
Have key locations written in Chinese for taxi drivers.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently amazed by the Songhua River's transformation into a winter wonderland, filled with impressive ice sculptures and a variety of activities. The unique 'winter swimming' and encounters with local wildlife add to the charm. However, be prepared for extremely long queues at facilities and attractions, and dress very warmly for the harsh winter conditions.
"We went to Songhua river but it was under construction for the snow carnival. We managed to ride the cable car."
Y.C. Chan
"Visited in the dead of winter, as was pleasantly surprised to see that the river was actually transformed into some sort of winter wonderland type of attraction. Didn't come with much knowledge or expectations, was assuming it will be a huge river frozen over, but I saw an ice maze, ice sculptures which you lose count of, ice skating, some form of ice sledding etc.
I think it is quite a popular place, given there were quite a bit of people enjoying the various ice-related activities. Coming from the southern hemisphere, this truly was a sight to behold, and I had a decent time experiencing the kid of cold that I had never encountered before. Overall, its worthwhile to visit, just take note facilities such as washrooms can get way too many tourists, so queues are scary long."
Derrick Tan
"In winter season at SongHua river. Everything covered with snow. There's an attraction where some people swimming in this river that called "Winter Swimming""
liling netty
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Songhua River is a major landmark in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. You can reach it by taxi or public transport. For specific ice block scenery, head under the Songhuajiang bridge, and have the local name written down for your taxi driver: 📍 沙滩部落海鲜烧烤. The river is a central part of Harbin's winter attractions.
Harbin is an international comprehensive transportation hub. Many international travelers find it a rewarding experience, with some calling it the best out-of-country travel experience they've had.
Taxis are readily available and a convenient way to get around Harbin. Having destination names in Chinese can be very helpful for drivers. Public transport options also exist.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Some areas, like the ice block scenery under the Songhuajiang bridge, are free to access. However, for popular attractions like the Ice and Snow World, VIP tickets are recommended to bypass long queues for slides and rides.
Winter activities on the Songhua River typically run throughout the day during the winter season. Specific timings for events or attractions within the broader Ice and Snow World context should be checked closer to your visit.
Yes, VIP tickets are available for the Ice and Snow World and are highly recommended to skip the extensive queues for popular attractions like the slide and Ferris wheel.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
In winter, the Songhua River transforms into a winter wonderland with an ice maze, ice sculptures, ice skating, and ice sledding. You can also witness the unique 'Winter Swimming' tradition.
The river is a popular destination for ice activities during winter, indicating it is safely frozen over. However, always follow local guidance and designated activity areas for safety.
The Songhua River and its associated winter attractions are quite popular, especially during peak season. Be prepared for crowds, and consider visiting during off-peak hours or utilizing VIP tickets to manage queues.
Facilities like washrooms are available, but they can experience very long queues due to the high number of tourists.
Yes, adorable white foxes are known to approach passersby near the Songhua River, seeking affection.
📸 📸 Photography
The ice sculptures and the overall winter landscape of the Songhua River are incredibly photogenic. The free ice block scenery under the Songhuajiang bridge also offers unique photo opportunities.
Bring a camera with good low-light performance and consider extra batteries, as cold temperatures drain them quickly. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive ice sculptures and landscapes.
Early mornings offer crisp light and potentially fewer crowds. Golden hour light can also create beautiful scenes, but be prepared for extreme cold.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit