An expat's favorite places in China

2. Harbin

Known as a "Winter Paradise", Harbin is one of the coldest places in China. Located in a province bordering Russia, Harbin is heavily influenced by its neighbor, especially regarding architecture and food. The weather is cool in the summer and, in winter, the city hosts the annual "International Harbin Snow and Ice Festival"

Visit:

Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival

Harbin's International Snow and Ice Festival is held in January and February every year, when the weather is the coldest (-15 degrees Celsius to -25 degrees Celsius). The festival is held in three different venues: Sun Island, Ice and Snow World, and Zhaolin Park. If you can only visit one of the venues, I think that Ice and Snow World - located north of the Songhua River - is the best out of the three.

Zhongyang Dajie (Street)

This is the city’s most famous pedestrian street, and it boasts many Russian buildings, restaurants, and shops that sell Russian-made goods.

Also:

Siberian Tiger Preservation Area

Harbin Polar Land (located in Sun Island)

Yabuli Ski Resort

[Photo/IC]