Many people are planning trips to Harbin recently. What do you need to know before you go? Here’s a detailed guide with suggestions from a local. If you’re interested, read on!
1. Harbin is not a tourist city, so price gouging is not a common occurrence, or perhaps there’s no tendency towards it. However, there’s a small group of taxi drivers who often engage in shady practices, so you’re not sure if they’re real taxis. The subway and ride-hailing apps are the best options. Be alert if you see a taxi driver standing by the roadside, eager to get you in. People in Northeast China are known for their warmth, but legitimate taxi drivers don’t typically operate like that.
2. Don’t attempt self-driving unless you’re skilled. You won’t handle icy roads. Renting a car in Harbin during the winter is highly discouraged. You’ll be overwhelmed by various situations.
3. Mohe and Xuexiang are tourist areas, where there are basically no locals. Most people are there to make quick money seasonally. I don’t understand why people from the south go to those places. It’s like people living by the sea not understanding why people from the north want oceanfront houses. I’ve never been there myself, so I don’t have any suggestions. You can visit if you’re curious, as it’s said to be beautiful. Don’t expect a deep travel experience; it’s just sightseeing.
4. Food prices in Harbin are low. The controversy over the 68 yuan pot-braised pork dish is justified. The recommendations online for street food markets are all authentic and good value. There are many street food markets in Harbin, all pretty similar. In fact, all street food markets in Northeast China are pretty much the same. Real iron pot stewed fish is expensive, needing a large group to eat it. Omit the word “fish” and just say “iron pot stew,” and it’ll be cheaper. Don’t be afraid to spend money; stewed goose is delicious.
5. The “149 yuan bath, eat, drink, play, and sleep” deal is real, although it’s on the expensive side. Less luxurious ones with similar experiences cost a few dozen yuan. Soaking, massages, and ordering food are all charged separately. Baths are becoming increasingly luxurious nowadays, attracting more people from the south. I’ve lost my desire to go out for a bath. Bath centers are meant for locals, and we never expected to accommodate so many tourists.
6. Apparently, airfares are expensive. You can first go to Changchun, and then take a high-speed train to Harbin, which takes only an hour. Changchun’s food and baths are also excellent. I always thought Changchun was a unique city. Hotels are said to be expensive as well. You can find accommodations along the subway line for about 100-200 yuan. There are plenty of hostels. Now, hostels are also hotel-style apartments. Just make sure there’s a subway station, and you’ll be fine. All the famous attractions are accessible by subway.
7. It’s not very cold recently, with temperatures around minus ten degrees Celsius, considered comfortable. But I heard tourists buy down jackets for two to three hundred yuan in Central Street and other scenic areas, which is absurd. Down jackets are the only option; choose one with high fill power online. I don’t have any specific recommendations, as even two to three thousand yuan ones might not be warm. Do your research. Shoes are relatively simple; buy them at a reputable store.
8. The hardest thing about Harbin isn’t the cold, but the temperature fluctuations. The temperature difference between indoors and outdoors can be as high as 50-60 degrees, requiring you to adjust your clothing constantly, or else you’ll feel uncomfortable.
9. Locals don’t eat candied haws, but we do eat Madier ice cream. Eating ice cream in the freezing cold isn’t a scam aimed at tourists. The 5 yuan Madier ice cream isn’t very tasty. Buy the packaged one, costing 10-25 yuan, those are good. Simply put, the one sold by Madier itself is a standard version, a 5 yuan try, but the really delicious ones are the expensive ones. Harbin also has many street vendors selling fake Madier without licenses, for 5 yuan. To be honest, they’re better than the real ones.
10. Locals don’t go to the Ice and Snow World, it’s too expensive and uncomfortable. However, it’s truly impressive and a must-see. I’ve never been on the big slide either. Waiting for three to four hours seems crazy to me. Take a stroll, take photos. The slides are just that, and there are many places with snow tubing. They’re all similar.
11. Harbin isn’t a trendy city. This wave of traffic is large but manageable. When the tide recedes, we won’t be left exposed. Northeast China has been declining for decades, and we don’t rely on tourism to revitalize it. We welcome you to visit, as there are indeed treasure stores everywhere.
12. Don’t stereotype Northeast Chinese people. Warm, generous, and hospitable aren’t exclusive to Northeast China. People are mostly the same, with yellow skin and black eyes. We are all Chinese. People in Harbin are ordinary Chinese citizens with common strengths and weaknesses. Don’t harbor unrealistic expectations, thinking that Northeast Chinese people are all Living Lei Fengs. We’re all just ordinary people, struggling for our daily lives. Our service isn’t as good as in the south; some store owners have bad tempers, and they might really fight back if you provoke them.
13. We love small potatoes from the south. I try to stay home to avoid causing trouble. There are many things to do in the winter, don’t try to experience everything at once. I haven’t seen everything in decades. There are many things you haven’t tried yet. The ice and snow are a huge rabbit hole.
14. Lastly, no matter where you travel, you’ll encounter unpleasant experiences. Don’t be misled by influencers, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. Just make do with it, it’s the same everywhere. Harbin at least offers a different kind of experience.
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