6 Days Beijing & Harbin Winter Tour from Singapore and Malaysia

Morning: Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Beijing at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world. Covering over 440,000 square meters, the square serves as the symbolic center of modern China and has witnessed many significant events in Chinese history.

Surrounded by monumental buildings, including the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China, the square offers a fascinating introduction to the country's political and cultural development. Your guide will explain the historical significance of this important national landmark before leading you toward the entrance of the imperial city.

Explore the Forbidden City (故宫)

Passing through the iconic Tiananmen Gate (天安门), enter the magnificent Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world. Constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, the palace served as the home of 24 emperors for nearly five centuries.

Covering more than 720,000 square meters and containing over 9,000 rooms, the Forbidden City is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. As you walk through the grand ceremonial courtyards and palace halls, your guide will introduce stories of emperors, concubines, eunuchs, royal ceremonies, and political intrigue that shaped Chinese history.

Highlights include:

• Meridian Gate (午门)
• Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿)
• Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿)
• Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿)
• Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宫)
• Imperial Garden (御花园)

During winter, the palace often appears especially beautiful, with red walls, golden roofs, and occasional snow creating a peaceful and majestic atmosphere.

Traditional Hutong Rickshaw Tour (胡同人力车体验)

After exploring the imperial palace, travel to Beijing's historic Hutong neighborhoods, where traditional courtyard houses preserve the lifestyle of old Beijing.

Board a traditional rickshaw and wind through narrow alleyways lined with grey-brick residences that date back centuries. This unique experience offers a glimpse into everyday life beyond the grand imperial monuments.

Visit a local courtyard home and meet residents who continue to maintain traditional ways of living. Along the route, you may encounter local markets, tea shops, calligraphy stores, and family-run businesses that reveal the authentic character of Beijing.

Afternoon: Summer Palace (颐和园)

Following lunch, head to the elegant Summer Palace, China's most celebrated imperial garden and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Originally built as a royal retreat for emperors escaping Beijing's summer heat, the palace combines natural beauty with architectural sophistication. Covering nearly 300 hectares, the site is centered around Kunming Lake (昆明湖) and Longevity Hill (万寿山).

Highlights include:

• Long Corridor (长廊), decorated with more than 14,000 colorful paintings
• Marble Boat (石舫)
• Tower of Buddhist Incense (佛香阁)
• Seventeen-Arch Bridge (十七孔桥)
• Kunming Lake waterfront

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the palace grounds while learning about the life of Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后) and the role the Summer Palace played during the late Qing Dynasty.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Beijing

Morning: Temple of Heaven (天坛)

Start the day with a visit to the magnificent Temple of Heaven, one of China's most important ceremonial sites and a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture.

For centuries, Chinese emperors visited this sacred complex to pray for good harvests and harmony between heaven and earth. The temple's circular design reflects traditional Chinese cosmology and remains one of the finest examples of ancient Chinese architectural achievement.

Explore highlights including:

• Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿)
• Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇)
• Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛)

The surrounding park is a lively gathering place where local residents practice Tai Chi, play traditional musical instruments, dance, sing, and engage in social activities. This offers visitors an excellent opportunity to observe authentic local culture.

Mutianyu Great Wall (慕田峪长城)

Continue north through scenic countryside to the legendary Mutianyu Great Wall, approximately 70 kilometers from central Beijing.

Built primarily during the Ming Dynasty, Mutianyu is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. The wall stretches across forested mountain ridges and features 23 watchtowers connected by sturdy stone fortifications.

Ride a cable car up the mountain and begin your exploration along the Wall. Walking between the watchtowers, you will enjoy spectacular views of rolling mountains extending into the distance.

Winter is one of the best times to visit Mutianyu because:

• Snow-covered scenery creates stunning photographic opportunities
• Visitor numbers are lower than during peak seasons
• Crisp winter air offers excellent visibility
• The landscape resembles a traditional Chinese ink painting

Your guide will explain the military history, construction techniques, and strategic importance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements.

Afternoon: Olympic Green (奥林匹克公园)

After descending from the Great Wall, return to Beijing and stop at the city's modern landmark district, the Olympic Green.

Enjoy exterior views of:

• Bird's Nest Stadium (国家体育场) – the iconic venue of the 2008 Olympic Games
• Water Cube (国家游泳中心) – famous for its innovative bubble-like architectural design

These structures showcase a completely different side of Beijing, highlighting China's modern development and global ambitions.

Evening Recommendation

If desired, conclude your final evening in Beijing with an authentic Peking Roast Duck (北京烤鸭) dinner, one of China's most famous culinary experiences. Crispy roasted duck served with thin pancakes, scallions, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce provides the perfect introduction to Beijing cuisine before continuing your journey north to Harbin the following day.

Overnight: Beijing

Morning: High-Speed Train Journey to Harbin

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Beijing Railway Station or Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Harbin (哈尔滨), the capital of Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省) and China's most famous winter destination.

Travel comfortably aboard one of China's modern high-speed trains as you journey approximately 1,300 kilometers northward through the vast plains of Northeast China. The journey takes around 4.5–6 hours and offers an excellent opportunity to observe the changing landscapes as you move from North China into the country's snow-covered northeastern region.

Along the route, the train passes major cities including Tianjin (天津), Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛), Shenyang (沈阳), and Changchun (长春) before arriving in Harbin.

Afternoon: Arrival in Harbin

Upon arrival, your local Harbin guide will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to your downtown hotel.

Known as the "Ice City," Harbin boasts a fascinating blend of Chinese and Russian influences. The city's unique architecture, broad boulevards, and winter atmosphere create a distinctly European feel rarely found elsewhere in China.

After hotel check-in, enjoy some free time to rest or begin exploring the city independently.

Evening Suggestions (Self-Guided)

Option 1: Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Show (兆麟公园冰灯游园会)

Visit Zhaolin Park (兆麟公园), the birthplace of China's ice lantern tradition. As night falls, colorful illuminated ice sculptures transform the park into a magical winter wonderland. Intricately carved castles, animals, pavilions, and fantasy-themed displays sparkle under thousands of lights, offering an enchanting introduction to Harbin's ice-and-snow culture.

Option 2: Zhongyang Pedestrian Street (中央大街)

Alternatively, enjoy an evening stroll along the famous Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, one of China's most beautiful historic streets. Lined with Russian, Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau architecture, the avenue becomes especially charming after dark when decorative lights illuminate the snow-covered buildings.

You may wish to sample local specialties such as:

• Madieer Ice Cream (马迭尔冰棍)
• Harbin Red Sausage (哈尔滨红肠)
• Russian-style bread
• Kvas (格瓦斯)
• Candied Hawthorn (冰糖葫芦)

Overnight: Harbin

Siberian Tiger Park (东北虎林园)

After breakfast, begin the day at Siberian Tiger Park, the largest breeding and conservation center for Siberian tigers in the world.

Home to more than 1,300 tigers, the park provides a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent endangered predators in a semi-natural environment. Board a specially designed sightseeing vehicle that allows safe close-up viewing of tigers, white tigers, white lions, and ligers.

Visitors can learn about conservation efforts while observing the animals' behavior in large outdoor enclosures.

Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo (太阳岛国际雪雕艺术博览会)

Next, travel to Sun Island Scenic Area (太阳岛风景区), home to the world-famous Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo.

Every winter, artists from around the world transform massive quantities of snow into extraordinary sculptures. Covering a vast area, the exhibition features giant castles, famous landmarks, mythological figures, animals, and creative contemporary artworks.

Walking through the snow-covered landscape feels like entering an outdoor museum of frozen art. The scale and detail of the sculptures demonstrate remarkable craftsmanship and creativity.

Lunch

Enjoy a local lunch featuring Northeastern Chinese cuisine before continuing to the highlight of the day.

Harbin Ice and Snow World (哈尔滨冰雪大世界)

In the afternoon and evening, visit the spectacular Harbin Ice and Snow World, the crown jewel of the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival (哈尔滨国际冰雪节).

Built using enormous blocks of crystal-clear ice harvested from the frozen Songhua River (松花江), this gigantic seasonal park features:

• Ice castles
• Palaces and temples
• International landmarks recreated in ice
• Giant illuminated sculptures
• Ice mazes
• Observation towers
• Interactive winter attractions

As darkness falls, thousands of colorful LED lights illuminate the ice structures, transforming the entire park into a dazzling fantasy kingdom.

Optional winter activities include:

• Super Ice Slide
• Snow tubing
• Ice bicycles
• Ferris wheel rides
• Ice hockey experiences
• Snow entertainment zones

This unforgettable evening showcases why Harbin is considered one of the world's premier winter destinations.

Overnight: Harbin

Saint Sophia Cathedral (圣索菲亚大教堂)

After breakfast, begin your final day in Harbin at the city's most iconic landmark, Saint Sophia Cathedral.

Constructed in 1907 by Russian engineers, the cathedral is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in East Asia. Its magnificent green onion dome and red-brick façade reflect Harbin's historical role as an important crossroads between China and Russia.

Today, the building houses the Harbin Architectural Art Gallery, where visitors can learn about the city's multicultural history and architectural heritage.

Zhongyang Pedestrian Street (中央大街)

Continue to Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, the cultural heart of Harbin. Stretching approximately 1.4 kilometers, the street is lined with beautifully preserved European-style buildings dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As you stroll along the cobblestone avenue, admire architectural styles including:

• Renaissance
• Baroque
• Eclectic
• Art Nouveau

Take time to browse local shops and sample Harbin's famous snacks and beverages.

Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival (松花江冰雪嘉年华)

Proceed to the frozen Songhua River, where winter transforms the river into a vast recreational playground.

The Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival offers numerous winter activities, including:

• Ice slides
• Ice bicycles
• Snow tubing
• Ice bumper cars
• Snowmobiles
• Winter photography opportunities

The frozen river provides a unique perspective of Harbin's skyline and winter lifestyle.

Flood Control Memorial Tower & Stalin Park

Visit the Flood Control Memorial Tower (防洪纪念塔) and nearby Stalin Park (斯大林公园), two important landmarks reflecting Harbin's history and Russian influence.

Walk along the riverfront and enjoy views of the historic Songhua River Railway Bridge (松花江铁路桥), one of China's oldest steel railway bridges.

Laodaowai Chinese Baroque Historic District (老道外中华巴洛克历史文化街区)

Conclude your Harbin experience with a visit to Laodaowai, the birthplace of old Harbin.

This unique historic district features an architectural style known as Chinese Baroque, combining European decorative façades with traditional Chinese courtyard layouts. As you explore the narrow streets and restored buildings, discover stories of merchants, immigrants, and local residents who shaped Harbin's multicultural identity over the past century.

Departure

Following the tour, your guide will escort you to Harbin Taiping International Airport (哈尔滨太平国际机场) or the railway station for your onward flight or train.

Your unforgettable winter journey through Beijing and Harbin comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of China's imperial heritage, snowy landscapes, and magical ice-and-snow festival experiences.