7 Days China Winter Discovery of Xian Harbin Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian Arrival (No meal)

   Upon your arrival at Xian airport / train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

2. Day 2: Xian Highlight Day Tour (B, L)
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City, Wall Bell and Drum Tower Square, Muslim Quarter

   Your fantastic Xian tour begins with world’s heritage Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”, it was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it has turned into one of the most important attractions in China and the No.1 attractive site in Xi’an. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and history of their owner: First Emperor of Qin who is also the first emperor of China.

   Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then head back to Xian downtown area for another historical highlight- Ancient City Wall. It is the most complete preserved and the largest city wall in China, which was built for the military defense in the ancient time. Since it is cycling the city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall ( optional).

   Later, move on to the Bell and Drum Tower Square, which locates in the very center of the city and is considered as the symbol of this old capital. Walking forward, you will come to Muslim Quarter where you will find many special local products and authentic local snacks. You can enjoy preserved meat, casserole, various noodles, and purchase some Terracotta Warriors imitation as souvenirs.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian  

   

3. Day 3: Xian to Harbin Tour by Flight (B, L)
   Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street, Yongxingfang Food & Culture Quarter

   As one of the most famous historical cities, Xian has lots of interesting places to go! Today you will explore the must-see sights in Xian downtown area.

   Firstly, come to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. On the way to the attraction spot, your guide will introduce the history and culture of this ancient city for you to catch a glimpse of reason why so many well-known relics were discovered on this land. Big Wild Goose Pagoda was originally built to hold Buddhist sutra and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought back from India in Tang Dyansty, 652 A.D. Now there is a big square divided into North Square and South Square, surrounding the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The design of the buildings and statues is in Tang style, showing people the ever glory of that great time. It’s busier in the evening when many activities with Tang elements held by local amateur.

   Later, take a nice stroll down Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street. This quaint street lined with many shops selling the four basic items for Chinese calligraphy (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper) is different from any other streets in Xian. The structures built in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties add the place more charm. If you are interested in Chinese arts and crafts, you can pick some souvenirs here. Don’t forget to bargain.

   Next, go on to check out Yongxingfang Food & Culture Quarter. The street is an amazing place to sample some delicious local food and see how the local people relax themselves. There are plenty of food options. If you are that kind of person who like to try all kinds of new food, this street will not disappoint you, and remember to visit it on an empty stomach.

   In the afternoon, you will head to Harbin by flight. When you arrive at Harbin Taiping International Airport, there will be the local driver picking you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name, and drop you off at local hotel. Free and easy on your own for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Harbin

   

4. Day 4: Harbin City Tour (B,L)
   Northeast Tiger Park, Sun Island, Central Street, Saint Sophia Church

   For today's Harbin tour, you will spend full day with the English speaking tour guide and driver to explore the best of Harbin city! The first site will be the Northeast Tiger Park, a northeast tiger breeding and research center with 700+ Siberian tigers live there, and there are over 100 Siberian tigers and lions are open to public. Thus, you will see tigers in different life stages and learn more about the current living situation of Siberian tigers in China.

   Later, move on to Sun Island. As an island in the Songhua river of Harbin city, it is located between the new and old city of Harbin and is divided into eastern district, central district and western district. With the rapid development of tourism, it has become a mufti-functional scenic area composed of ice and snow culture, folk culture and other natural resources, which is also a renowned summer resort and an ecological area along the Songhua river in China. In winter, you can enjoy the wonderful Sun Island Snow Sculpture there ( optional ).

   Friendly tips:

   1. People also can take 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 at the spot ( approximate CNY100 /way).
   2. There is Sun Island Snow Sculpture exhibition in Sun Island every winter, the entrance fee is around CNY180-280 per person. If you’d like to visit it, please pay in cash on your own.

   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 early 1900s. And of course you will be attracted by the lively vendors, restaurants, pubs as well as snacks.

   Later, continue your visit to Saint Sophia Church. It is a typical Byzantine architecture style Orthodox Church built in 1907 by Russian. Through the visit of this church, you will read the rich history of Harbin and even northeast part of China. Also, you can enjoy some relaxing walk in the Saint Sophia Church square to see how local people live, chat and exercise there.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Harbin

   

5. Day 5: Harbin to Yabuli Ski Resort to Snow Town Tour ( B,L )
   Yabuli Ski Resort, Snow Town

   Today you will head to the exciting Yabuli Ski Resort where 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, 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 primary ski field was included in the current tour package, which including 3 hours 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.

   The resort enjoys a snow cover period of 170 days and skiing period 120 days, and the snow depth averages 30 cm – 50 cm at the foot of the mountain and reaches 1m on the mountain. Its best snow conditions make it a perfect place for both skiing racing and ski-touring. It boasts a total of 17 ski runs, from elementary, intermediate to advanced, as well as various cableways. No matter you are first time normal visitors or professional skiers, you will find the one suitable for you. There are also many entertainment activities such as snowmobiling, snow tubing, and horse-drawn sledge. You will have great fun in this heaven for skiing.

   In the late afternoon, drive around 2.5 hours to Snow Town. The full name called “China Snow Town National Forest Park”, is located in Mudanjiang city, Heilongjiang province, China, which is about 280 kilometers away from Harbin. It covers an area of 17,916 hectares and is 1,100 meters above sea level. Because of the frequent intersection of cold air of lake Baikal and sea warm current of Sea of Japan, it forms the unique climate that snow period lasts for seven months (from October to May in next year) and the snow thickness can be up to 2 meters. Thus, with the heavy snowfall and high viscosity of the snow, it enjoys the great reputation as famous “China’s snow town”.

   In the evening, you can stroll down Xueyun Street on your own to explore the bustling night market, enjoy relaxing walking, taste some local snack or join the local bonfire party...

   Accommodation: Guesthouse in Snow Town

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

   

6. Day 6: Snow Town-Harbin (B, L)
   Snow Town

   This morning, you are free to enjoy the leisure time in Snow Town. You can use your camera to record this amazing place! There are some special photogenic sites in this town need pay in cash and which were 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.

   Optional Early Morning Activity: If you are looking for something special in the early morning, you may hop on a shuttle bus and transfer to Yangcaoshan Mountain to appreciate the marvelous sunrise ( on your own expense ).

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

   Accommodation: Overnight in Harbin

   

7. Day 7: Harbin Departure ( B )

   Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. End of your Xian Harbin Tour in 7 days. Our driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Harbin airport / train station to see you off.

   Accommodation: N/A