Harbin in winter: worth the -25°C or absolutely not?
I just spent 4 days in Harbin for the ice festival and I have thoughts.The Good:
• The ice sculptures are genuinely mind-blowing. Like, photos don't do them justice. They're MASSIVE and lit up in ridiculous colors and it's magical.
• The Russian architecture in the old town is cool. Feels like you're in a different country.
• Hot pot hits different when it's -25°C outside.
The Bad:
• -25°C is not "cold." It's "why do my eyelashes have frost on them." It's "my phone died in 10 minutes." It's "I can't feel my face and I'm not sure if that's a problem."
• You need SO many layers. Thermal underwear, fleece, down jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, warm boots. I brought all of it and I was still cold.
• Everything is more expensive during festival season.
The Weird:
• They have ice slides for adults. Like, actual slides made of ice. I went down one and immediately regretted my life choices.
• The "swimming" club where old dudes break through ice and jump in. Saw it from a distance. Still processing it.
Verdict:
Go once. It's a bucket list thing. But maybe just 2 days, not 4. Day 3 I was done with being cold.
Also: book hotels early. Like, October early. I paid way too much because I waited.
Anyone else frozen their face off in Harbin?
Page:
[1]