Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Winter can be a good time to visit China. Although the weather is cold, especially in northern China, you can visit the monuments without the hordes of tourists that cram the sights in high season, and air fares and accommodation are available at much more reasonable rates.

Days are often dry, with crisp blue skies. You may be lucky enough to enjoy the Great Wall virtually deserted and with a sprinkling of snow, and there is always the opportunity for a delicious warming hot pot or steamed delicacy at the end of the day.

From early January to early February the far northern city of Harbin hosts an annual celebration of everything to do with ice and snow. The event has become famous for its spectacular snow sculptures and ice carvings, the latter lit up by a myriad of coloured lights in the evening, and each year the festival grows in size as does the scale and complexity of the ice buildings created. Harbin itself is an interesting city, with a strong Russian heritage, and well worth a visit in its own right.

Day 1 Depart UK.
Day 2 Arrive Beijing. Transfer to Xixi Youyi Hotel (4 star) or similar. Rest of the day free.
Day 3 Transfer to airport for flight to Harbin. City tour of the historic centre. Transfer to Gloria Plaza Hotel (4 star). (B, L)
Day 4 Morning: visit to the Siberian Tiger reserve on the outskirts of Harbin. In afternoon visit the Snow and Ice Festival in Zhaolin Park and Sun Island. (B, L)
Day 5 Transfer to airport for flight to Beijing. Visit to the Temple of Heaven. (B, L)
Day 6 In the morning, visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City - the centre of power for China's imperial rulers. In the afternoon see China's famous pandas at the Beijing Zoo. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, including cable car up to the wall. Then visit the tombs of the Ming emperors. Peking duck dinner in the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Transfer to airport for flight back to UK, arriving later the same day. (B)

Day 1 Depart UK.
Day 2 Arrive Beijing. Transfer to Xixi Youyi Hotel (4 star) or similar. Rest of the day free.
Day 3 Transfer to airport for flight to Harbin. City tour of the historic centre. Transfer to Gloria Plaza Hotel (4 star) (B, L)
Day 4 Morning: visit to the Siberian Tiger reserve on the outskirts of Harbin. In afternoon visit the Snow and Ice Festival in Zhaolin Park and Sun Island. (B, L)
Day 5 Transfer to airport for flight to Beijing. Visit to the Temple of Heaven. (B, L)
Day 6 In the morning, visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City - the centre of power for China's imperial rulers. In the afternoon see China's famous pandas at the Beijing Zoo. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, including cable car up to the wall. Then visit the tombs of the Ming emperors. Peking duck dinner in the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Transfer to airport for flight to Xi'an. Visit the Grand Mosque and streets of the surrounding Muslim Quarter. (B)
Day 9 Excursion to see the famous Terracotta Army, created by China's first emperor to guard his tomb for eternity. Return to Xi'an city to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and take a bicycle ride on top of Xi'an's impressive medieval city walls. Transfer to airport for evening flight to Shanghai. Transfer to Best Western New Century Hotel (4 star) or similar. (B, L, D)
Day 10 City tour of Shanghai, to include the Yu Garden in the old town district; Jade Buddha Temple; the Bund or waterfront; and a boat trip on the Huangpu River that flows through Shanghai. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Travel to Suzhou by train. Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden and enjoy a cruise on part of the Grand Canal. If time allows visit local markets and traditional narrow streets in the old quarter. Stay at Bamboo Grove Hotel (4 star). (B, L)
Day 12 Return to Shanghai by train and rest of the day free. (B)
Day 13 Transfer to airport for flight back to UK. (B)