Harbin Ice Festival Express - 6 Days
Harbin Ice Festival Express - 6 Days
Harbin Ice Festival Express - 6 Days
6 Days Starting and ending in Beijing
Visiting: Beijing, Juyong Pass, Harbin
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1794/HIFE
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
12 + if accompanied by an adult (noted on prices &departure page for clients).
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Let it snow! See the world's largest and most elaborate ice sculptures this New Year at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. Magical, other-worldly and with New Year's Eve spent exploring the brilliantly illuminated Ice Lantern Show in Zhaolin Park, this is a holiday like no other.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Beijing
Location: Beijing
29 December. Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Arrive Beijing Capital Airport and included transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day offers free time for you to explore. Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven are all located within the vicinity of our hotel.
Day 2 : Juyongguan Pass
Location: Juyong Pass
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we set off to see the UNESCO protected Great Wall of China at Juyongguan Pass. At one time perhaps nearly 9700 kms long, the wall was garrisoned by 1 million soldiers and featured over 1,000 fortified passes and 10,000 beacon towers.
Juyongguan is one of the three great mountain passes of the Great Wall. Built during the Ming Dynasty the fortified structure stands as the first line of defence for protecting Beijing. Big battles were fought here against Jurchens and Mongols. Genghis Khan also led his army to the pass in 1213. Juyongguan Pass offers a different perspective of the wall than that of Badaling. Aside from far less tourists visiting the area, Juangguan is incredibly scenic and offers picture perfect views of the ruinous wall zigzagging into the distance.
After plenty of time to explore we return to Beijing, have time for a meal before flying to Harbin this evening.
Day 3 : Harbin
Location: Harbin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we hit Sun Island Park for the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo. The festival is open to visitors from 20 Dec, (though the official festival opening occurs on 05 Jan). This is a wonderful time to visit as sculptors will still be adding final touches to their masterpieces. This afternoon is filled with thrills and spills as we make our way to the dreamlike theme park known as Harbin Snow and Ice World today. Imagine sliding down a huge ice luge resembling the Great Wall of China or climbing to the top of a replica of the Emperor’s Summer Palace in Beijing, complete with towers, guard house, moat and seven arched bridge. You could also sail away on Empress Dowager Cixi’s ice marble boat. The creations of Snow and Ice World are beyond imagination, enchanting, inspiring, otherworldly and often a little bizarre. What will be on offer this year is anyone's guess.
This evening we include dinner at hotpot restaurant before returning to our hotel to take a position our hotel bar to ring in the New Year. With plenty of lights, ice and ‘Maitai firewater', (the local alcoholic spirit) we welcome in the coming year.
Day 4 : Harbin
Location: Harbin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Harbin - Beijing. Happy New Year! This morning offers free time before we visit Zhaolin Park to see the enchanting Ice Lantern Show, also known as the Ice Lantern Art Fair. The small and sometimes giant frozen displays (ice lanterns as they are known) change from year to year but often include both modern and ancient spectacles and supernatural creations. There is time to marvel at the magnificence of the beautifully illuminated ice sculptures, many incorporating Traditional Chinese lanterns and revel beneath the thousands of fairy lights adorning the park. This evening we bid farewell to Harbin boarding the express overnight sleeper train bound for Beijing.
Day 5 : Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast
02 January. Arrival into Beijing we return to our holiday start hotel to enjoy a nice hot breakfast. You are welcome to leave your luggage at our hotel and head out head out to explore Beijing, returning prior to your included departure transfer to the airport arranged to coordinate with your international flight. Please ensure that flights departing Beijing are booked after 2pm, in case of delays. Post tour accommodation is also available if you require.
Day 6: Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast
02 January. After arriving in Beijing by overnight train, you'll be greeted by a driver and a national guide who will escort you to a nearby hotel for breakfast. You can leave your luggage at the hotel and explore Beijing at your leisure, ensuring to return in time for your included departure transfer to the airport, scheduled to coincide with your international flight. Please ensure your flight departs from Beijing after 2 PM to accommodate any potential delays. If needed, post-tour accommodation can also be arranged.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 & 5 star
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4 breakfasts and 1 dinner
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2 nights 5 star hotel in Harbin, 1 nights 4 star hotel
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Flight: Beijing – Harbin
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1 overnight train: Harbin - Beijing (4-berth soft sleeper cabin)
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Touring of the Juyongguan area of Great Wall of China and Harbin Ice Festival
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Escorted by an experienced English speaking Chinese Tour guide
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Beijing Capital Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer day 5
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private heated vehicles
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A very good holiday!
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Tip for your tour guide is not included in the Tip Kitty. We suggest USD$3-5 per day, per traveller for a job well done, however the amount is up to you
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Entrance Fees: USD$120-130pp, paid in local currency
Age Policy
12 + if accompanied by an adult (noted on prices &departure page for clients).
Check out our Q&As
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
4 & 5 star
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Beijing Capital Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer day 5
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What is the maximum group size?
24
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.