Heilongjiang is China's northernmost and easternmost province, a vast land of black soil plains, primeval forests, volcanic lakes, and Siberian-cold winters along the Amur (Heilong) River border with Russia. Its capital Harbin blends Russian-era architecture with the world's largest ice and snow festival, while Mohe, the Arctic Village, offers China's best chances of seeing the aurora and the midnight sun. Wetlands, ski resorts, crane habitats, and Hezhen and Manchu heritage complete a region that swings from -30C winters to warm, short summers.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Harbin Ice and Snow World
Giant illuminated ice buildings, ice slides, and snow rides on the north bank of the Songhua River. Children love the long ice slides and the coloured lights after sunset; take breaks in heated huts as temperatures fall below minus 20C
Duration: 3-4 hours
Sun Island Snow Sculpture Expo and Scenic Area
Huge snow sculptures in winter and lawns, lakes, and gardens in summer, on an island in the Songhua River in Songbei District
Duration: Half day
Harbin Siberian Tiger Park (Northeast Tiger Forest Park)
The world's largest Siberian tiger breeding centre, where visitors ride in caged buses among tigers roaming a large enclosure; children should stay seated and windows must stay closed
Duration: 2-3 hours
Harbin Polarland (Polar Ocean World)
An indoor polar aquarium in Songbei District with beluga whales, penguins, polar bears, and a dolphin and sea lion show. Ideal on very cold days
Duration: 2-3 hours
Harbin Children's Park and Children's Railway
A traditional city park with a small train run by children, rides, and playgrounds, popular with local families in summer
Duration: 2-3 hours
Central Street (Zhongyang Dajie) ice sculptures and Harbin ice pops
A pedestrian street with European-style buildings, ice sculptures in winter, and street food such as Harbin ice pops and candied hawthorn
Duration: 1-2 hours
Yabuli Ski Resort family day
China's largest ski resort near Harbin, with beginner slopes, ski schools with English-speaking instructors at some centres, and snow tubing for children; reached by high-speed rail from Harbin
Duration: Full day
Volga Manor Russian-style Park
A Russian-themed park and open-air museum with gardens, a church replica, and performances, popular in summer and early autumn
Duration: Half day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Shangri-La Harbin
Five-star hotel in Daoli District with spacious rooms and an indoor pool, close to the Songhua River promenade and Central Street
Family features: Family rooms, indoor pool, children's menus, central location, breakfast buffet
Kempinski Hotel Harbin
Five-star hotel in the city centre with large rooms and an indoor pool, a short taxi ride to Central Street and the Ice and Snow World
Family features: Family suites, indoor pool, restaurants with child-friendly dishes, central location
Home Inn or Hanting family rooms (economy chains)
Clean heated economy hotels across central Harbin offering triple and family rooms close to the metro and Central Street
Family features: Triple rooms, central locations, low cost, near supermarkets
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Harbin's dumplings, noodles, and sausages suit children; most restaurants offer plain rice or noodles on request
Try Harbin ice pops (bingtanghulu is candied hawthorn) on Central Street for a fun cold snack
Guo bao rou (sweet-and-sour crispy pork) is a favourite with children
Use bottled or boiled water for children; do not use tap water for formula
Bring a translation card with allergy information in Chinese, since English menus are uncommon
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Winter visits with children need thermal underlayers, a hooded down coat, waterproof boots, mittens, and a face cover; buy or rent gear in Harbin if not carried
Limit outdoor time to 30-45 minutes at minus 20C and warm up in a heated hut or cafe; watch for white patches on cheeks, ears, or fingers
Book hotels and train tickets months ahead for January and the Lunar New Year holiday
Bring a power bank in an inside pocket, since phone batteries fail quickly in the cold
Bring passports for children as they may be needed for reduced tickets and hotel check-in