Harbin Winter Travel: Ice Festival & Quirky Delights Despite Cold

They told us to AVOID this city in CHINA (We Ignored Them)

Destination:ChinaProvince:HeilongjiangCity:Harbin
They told us to AVOID this city in CHINA (We Ignored Them)
Always Away2026-01-2115 min

They told us not to visit Harbin, so naturally we went… in December, when it was a delightful -25°C. Because who doesn’t love freezing their face off?

Stay tuned for part 2 of our 48 hours in Harbin, where we visit the famous Ice and Snow festival - the largest in the world!

We explored the city’s highlights, including the stunning St. Sophia Cathedral, and Emma got to live her dream as a Chinese princess (for about five minutes before the cold won). Of course, we also ate our way through Harbin—trying Russian food, the famous modern popsicles, and the completely ridiculous chimney bread ice cream in fire chicken flavour.

Harbin is cold, quirky, and totally unique, with winter festivals, stunning architecture, and amazing food. If you’re thinking about visiting China in winter, this is what happens when you ignore the warnings—and somehow survive.

--- Always Away
January 21, 2026, Winter in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00line up for ice cream
  2. 0:29-25° and the challenge ahead
  3. 1:08russian-chinese fusion history
  4. 3:41ice sculptures in progress
  5. 4:39modern popsicle tradition
  6. 8:57St. Sophia Cathedral visit
  7. 9:58night show near cathedral
  8. 11:20shopping mall dress moment
  9. 12:20cathedral is a museum now
  10. 13:20dressing up photoshoot experience

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They told us to AVOID this city in CHINA (We Ignored Them)

Dare to defy the warnings and venture into Harbin during its frigid December embrace! This video plunges you into a whirlwind 48-hour adventure, showcasing the city's iconic Ice and Snow Festival, the largest globally. Witness the breathtaking St. Sophia Cathedral and experience a fleeting moment of fantasy as one traveler dons a princess gown. The culinary journey is equally unforgettable, featuring Russian delicacies, unique modern popsicles, and an adventurous chimney bread ice cream. Harbin emerges as a city of striking contrasts: intensely cold yet vibrantly alive with winter festivities, architectural marvels, and delicious, unconventional food. It’s a testament to embracing the unexpected and discovering China’s winter charm.

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Harbin Winter Travel: Ice Festival & Quirky Delights Despite Cold

They told us not to visit Harbin, so naturally we went… in December, when it was a delightful -25°C. Because who doesn’t love freezing their face off? Stay tuned for part 2 of our 48 hours in Harbin, where we visit the famous Ice and Snow festival - the largest in the world! We explored the city’s...

Attractions in this video: St. Sophia Cathedral, Ice Festival