Harbin

Our weekend trip to Harbin was filled with tigers, snow sculptures, ice structures, frozen river activities and ice lollys.  It was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so glad we went.  I don’t see myself rushing out to visit again due to the unbelievable cold, but I am so pleased to have been.

After we saw the tigers we spent a bit of time wandering around the city, trying out Russian food and warming up with coffee.  We had a look around Sophia Square and the famous cathedral.

The biggest attraction would be the Ice and Snow City, there were sculptures and buildings galore as well as so many spectators.  From Disney characters, rubber duckies and the Colosseum there was something for everyone to enjoy.  We even had a go at the ice slides.  All of the attractions were very impressive, so hard to believe they were made from ice!

A massive line dance

Sponsored by…Samsumg

One of the biggest slides there

Going down, was really fun but got a bit congested

In an ice castle looking down below at the city

You could ride in a horse drawn carriage to take in the sights

Our final day was spent down on the river enjoying some of the many ice themed activities.  My most favourite was sitting on an inner-tube and sliding down a giant hill of ice.  It was quite exhilarating, with nothing but smiles and laughter around as we went back again and again.  We also tried the famous Harbin ice lolly, very strange to be eating something cold but it was quite tasty!

Ice lollys for sale, 5 rmb each (50p or 82 cents)

They are ready for business, which they need for the steady queue that we saw there

An interesting game in which you whip the stick with a string on it to hit a metal canister which spins like a top

Looking out over the river

Bumper cars, sleds, ice skating…

An escalator like ramp took us up the hill again and again

The activity managers blow a whistle and down the hill you go

-Mrs T