5-Day Tour of Shanghai & Harbin
This 5-day Shanghai & Harbin tour combines culture and winter fun. Days 1-2 explore Shanghai. Day 3: Fly to Harbin, visit Central Avenue and Saint Sophia Cathedral (Byzantine-style, stunning murals). Night: Stroll Central Avenue for lights and local food. Day 4: Snow Town adventure—unique “snow houses,” skiing, and a 4.4km rime gallery. Enjoy folk events and Snow Rhyme Avenue snacks. Day 5: Depart Harbin.
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai
Shanghai Arrival
4+ stars Hotel
None
Welcome to Shanghai, the vibrant city of prosperity! This bustling metropolis, with its captivating blend of nostalgia and modernity, beautifully harmonizes Eastern and Western influences.
Upon your arrival, our professional tour guide will greet you at the airport and assist you with your transfer to your hotel for some well-deserved rest.
The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. If you wish to venture out, your guide is available to offer great recommendations for local sights and activities. Enjoy your time in this enchanting city!
Day 2: Shanghai
Yuyuan Garden–Shanghai World Financial Center–Nanjing Road–the Bund
4+ star hotels
Breakfast
Start your day at Yuyuan Garden, a beautifully landscaped classical Chinese garden. Wander through its serene pathways, admire the traditional architecture, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
Next, head to the Shanghai World Financial Center, where you can take the elevator to the observation deck for breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline, including iconic landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower.
After soaking in the sights, make your way to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s famous shopping street. Explore the bustling shops and boutiques, sampling local snacks along the way.
Finally, conclude your day at the Bund, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. Take in the stunning views of the historic colonial buildings contrasted against the modern skyline, especially beautiful as the city lights up at night.
Idea for Evening Activities
Take a night cruise on the Huangpu River and enjoy the beauty of the city at night (about 50 minutes).
Day 3: Shanghai- Harbin
Shanghai– Harbin– Central Avenue– Saint Sophia Cathedral
4+ star hotels
Breakfast
Upon arrival, Intoexplore will guide you to explore Central Street, a commercial pedestrian street full of historical charm and exotic flair. The street is lined with 71 historical buildings featuring diverse architectural styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, Eclecticism, Art Nouveau, and Classicism. Among them, 13 are municipal protected buildings, earning it the reputation of an “Outdoor Architectural Art Museum”. Not far from Central Street stands the Saint Sophia Cathedral, a Byzantine-style Orthodox church built in 1907. Majestic and artistic, its exterior stone carvings include classic phoenix patterns, delicate motifs, and ornaments, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The interior murals and reliefs are even more intricate, depicting biblical stories, Christian history, and images of saints. The cathedral’s stained glass windows, adorned with various religious patterns and figures, create a vibrant play of light and shadow when illuminated by sunlight.
Evening Free Time on Central Street: Stroll along Central Street at night to admire Harbin’s beautiful night views and hunt for local delicacies. Recommended Dishes: Guobaorou ， Demoli Fish Stew ， Pig-Killing Cuisine， Harbin Red Sausage， Grilled Cold Noodles， Bing Tang Hulu， Dalieba Bread
Day 4: Harbin
One-Day Tour to Snow Town
4+ star hotels
Breakfast
Today, Intoexplore will take you to Snow Town, a destination renowned for its frequent snowfall and long snow accumulation period. Snow falls from October to April, spanning 7 months, with ground snow depth reaching 1.5-2.0 meters at its maximum. Due to high humidity, snowflakes have numerous bifurcated tips, interlocking as they fall. This causes snow to not only pile on roof tops but also hang down from roof edges, forming unique “snow curtains” (snow tongues), commonly known as “snow houses”.
At Snow Town Ski Resort and Ice Rink, experience thrilling winter activities like skiing, snow tubing, ice sledding, and ice ice top spinning, embracing the joy of snow and ice sports. The Ice-Snow Gallery, located 15 kilometers northeast of Snow Town’s core area, benefits from a microclimate with abundant winter snowfall and water vapor, creating a 4.4-kilometer rime landscape. Clad in silver-white frost, it resembles a fairyland。
Recommended Activities:
Folk Culture Experience: Snow Town hosts festivals like the China Snow Town Tourism Festival, featuring special events such as snow photography competitions, ice sculpture contests, national folk yangko dance performances, and snowfield disco host competitions. These activities showcase vibrant Northeastern cultural traditions.
Xueyun Street: As the main thoroughfare of Snow Town, this street is lined with wooden houses in traditional Northeastern style, adorned with red lanterns that exude rich local folk charm. Here, visitors can savor authentic Northeastern cuisine and purchase unique souvenirs.
Day 5: Harbin Departure
Departure in Harbin
Breakfast
On your final day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, taking a moment to savor the last tastes of Harbin. After breakfast, you may want to explore any nearby attractions or indulge in some last-minute shopping for souvenirs to remember your journey. We will transfer you to the airport as per your schedule, seeing you off from Harbin and concluding this pleasant journey. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again for your next adventure!
