5 Days Classic China Dongbei Tour: Shenyang and Harbin by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shenyang Arrival, Shenyang Tour
   Discover the Imperial History and Visit China's First Commercial Pedestrian Street

   Upon your arrival at Shenyang airport/train station (please arrive before 10:00 am), the local English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   Your Shenyang tour begins with a visit to Shenyang Imperial Palace. Located in the center of Shenyang city, it was the royal palace of the initial Qing Dynasty and had served two great Emperors: Nurhaci and Huang Taiji. Covering an area of 63,272 square meters, Shenyang Imperial Palace, together with the Forbidden City in Beijing, was the greatest and best-preserved imperial palace in China. Visiting this huge palace, you will learn more history of the Qing Dynasty.

   Later, continue your visit to Qing Dynasty Street. The former name was Xinzheng Street, built in the 31^st year of Guangxu, Qing Dynasty, and was a prosperous street full of restaurants, inns, bistros, and tea houses in ancient times. Nowadays, it is one of the most popular sights for people who go to Shenyang. Strolling down the street, you will not only see many local snacks and stores but also be attracted by the special Qing Dynasty buildings.

   

   After lunch, move on to visit Commander Zhang's Mansion, also called the former residence of Zhang Xueliang, a great general during the China Civil War Period. This mansion is famous for its diversified architectural styles including Chinese traditional style, Chinese and Western-style, Roman style, European style as well as Japanese style. Follow your guide to this huge architectural complex by visiting its main buildings: the Daqing Building, Xiaoqing Building, The Red Buildings, and Lady Zhao Si's Building.

   You will spend a longer time in Lady Zhao Si's Building, once the former residence of General Zhang Xueliang's lover, Zhao Yidi. This building was specially built in Japanese style and looked like an isolated castle inside the entire mansion. Visiting it, you will better know the romantic love story between General Zhang and Lady Zhao.

   Last, go to the Zhongjie Pedestrian Street. Regarded as the earliest commercial and pedestrian street in Shenyang, this 1,500-meter street has over 350 years of history. The lively night market, prosperous gold and silver market, stone market, and grain market will definitely be worth your visit.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shenyang

   

2. Day 2: Shenyang to Harbin Tour by High-speed Train
   Enjoy the Highlights of Harbin during Ice Snow Festival

   In the morning, a local private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and drop you off at Shenyang train station for you to catch a morning high-speed train to Harbin. The train rides for around 3 hours.

   When you arrive at Harbin train station, the local English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from the exit gate. You will officially start your Harbin tour with Tiger Park, a northeast tiger breeding and research center with 1000+ Siberian tigers. There are over 300 Siberian tigers and lions that are open to the public. Thus, you will see tigers in different life stages and learn more about the current living situation of Siberian tigers in China.

   Later, you will be transferred to Sun Island Park, where you will take part in the annual International Snow Sculpture Art Expo. Here you will see many large-scale snow sculptures of various shapes and sizes by Chinese and foreign artists.

   Note: Tourists also can take a cable car along the Songhua River to arrive at Sun Island Park. It is an optional choice to better enjoy the Songhua River view. If you would like to take it, please pay in cash on the spot (approximately CNY100/way).

   

   After that, drive to Harbin city and enjoy the relaxing sightseeing in the famous Central Street, a bustling pedestrian street in Harbin city. Walking along the street, you will find many old buildings designed in various Western styles in the early 1900s.

   Later, pay an outside visit to Saint Sophia Church. It is a typical Byzantine architecture style Orthodox Church built in 1907 by Russians. Your tour guide will share the rich history of Harbin and even the northeast part of China with you.

   In the evening, have a delicious dinner with a local guide's advice, enjoying local Harbin cuisine, influenced by Russian and Chinese culinary traditions. As night falls, we will take you to the Ice and Snow World to admire the ice sculptures illuminated by colorful lights. You can also experience a variety of ice activities here, from ice slides to Ferris wheels.

   Warm Tips:

   Be aware of the longer queues during peak hours, especially during the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year and weekends.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Harbin

   

3. Day 3: Harbin to Yabuli Ski Resort and Snow Town Tour
   Experience a 3 Hours of Skiing on Primary Trails

   Today you will head to the exciting Yabuli Ski Resort which drives around 3.5 hours from Harbin city, thus, you can enjoy the snow and ice scenery on the way.

   Upon arrival at Yabuli Ski Resort, follow your guide to fill your stomach at a local restaurant, and then your skiing begins! The tour guide will help you to get the main entrance tickets and rent the basic ski equipment for you to ski on your own.

   Friendly Tip: Only skiing in the primary ski field was included in the current tour package, including 3 hours of skiing with equipment like skiing boots, snowboard, and ski poles. If you would like to have more time for skiing, please pay in cash on your own.

   

   In the late afternoon, drive around 2.5 hours to Snow Town. Upon arrival, check in at a local hotel and have a short rest. Snow Town is a small village located in the southwest mountainous area of Hailin City. Snowfall is frequent in this area, of which the best time to visit Snow Town is between December and March when the snow is the heaviest and thickest.

   Xueyun Street is the liveliest part of the town. This nearly 500-meter-long street is lined with stores, hanging red lanterns. You can try the project of pouring hot water into the sky, and then the hot water will immediately turn into ice! At night, Snow Town becomes a magical wonderland. The white snow reflects the soft light.

   Accommodation: Guesthouse in Snow Town

   Special note: The accommodation resources in Snow Town are very limited when it comes to the peak season every winter. Thus, the usual hotel standard is a local guesthouse with at least 2 pax sharing one room. If you are looking for a better hotel instead of the guesthouse, please inform us as early as you can because good hotels sell too fast in Snow Town. You need to reserve a few months ahead.

   

4. Day 4: Snow Town Tour, back to Harbin
   Optionally Go to Photographer's Paradises in Snow Town

   This morning, you are free to enjoy your leisure time in Snow Town. You can use your camera to record this amazing place! Some special photogenic sites in this town like Dream House and Yangcaoshan need to be paid in cash which are NOT included in the current tour package (optional). Thus, if you would like to be there, feel free to ask your tour guide for assistance.

   At around 1 pm, meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby and drive around 5.5 hours back to Harbin.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Harbin

   

5. Day 5: Harbin Departure

   Free and easy on your own until the pick-up time for departure. Your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Harbin airport/train station to see you off. This is the end of your 5-day Northeastern China tour in winter. (NO English-speaking tour guide service for today).

   Accommodation: N/A