Harbin City Tour: Songhua River Ropeway & Ice Swimming Show

See Harbin's winter landmarks and cross the frozen river by ropeway in one morning

A full-day group tour of Harbin in winter, starting with hotel pickup and an ice swimming show at Jiuzhan Park, then crossing the Songhua River by ropeway to Russian Town and Sidalin Park. The itinerary covers the Flood Control Monument, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street with a dumpling lunch, Sophia Church, and Laodaowai before returning to your hotel. A professional guide in English or Chinese, all entrance fees, and hotel transfer are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Harbin city winter attractions

• Hotel pick up in early morning
• Attend Ice Swimming Show at Jiuzhan Park
• Take Harbin Songhua River Ropeway ride
• Visit Russian Town
• Return to Sidalin Park by Ropeway
• Visit Flood Control Monument and Zhongyang Pedestrian Street
• Lunch with local famous dumplings
• Walk to Sophia Church along Zhongyang Street
• Explore Laodaowai area
• Transfer back to hotel

The experience

You're picked up from your Harbin hotel in the early morning and driven to Jiuzhan Park on the Songhua River, where the ice swimming show runs from 9:40 to 10:30am (subject to availability). After watching swimmers in the winter water, you board the Harbin Songhua River Ropeway for a 30-minute crossing that overlooks the entire city, then spend half an hour in Russian Town before the ropeway brings you back to Sidalin Park.

The afternoon centers on Harbin's central landmarks. You walk the Flood Control Monument and Zhongyang Pedestrian Street (the city's main shopping and dining hub), where you stop for lunch featuring local dumplings. From there it's a short walk to Sophia Church, the Russian Orthodox cathedral that anchors the street. The tour wraps up at Laodaowai, the old quarter, before you're transferred back to your hotel around 5:30pm. Your guide speaks English or Chinese throughout, and all entrance tickets are covered.

The tour runs in winter (December through February) when the ice swimming show operates. If you're traveling solo, you'll be transferred by Didi or taxi rather than a full coach. The pace involves steady walking and an early 9:20am finish at your last hotel pickup, so comfortable boots and warm layers matter.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Chinese.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• all entrance fees to attractions.
• dumpling lunch.
• Songhua River Ropeway crossing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (6 to 8 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Private Tour Guide

Is this one for you?The early start (9:20am final pickup) and steady walking across multiple stops suit travelers with a full day free and comfortable mobility. If you're arriving mid-morning or prefer a slower pace, a self-guided visit to individual landmarks may work better.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 8 years); Infant (under 6).

What is the ice swimming show at Jiuzhan Park?

The ice swimming show is a winter attraction where swimmers enter the Songhua River through holes cut in the ice. It runs from 9:40 to 10:30am and is subject to availability. It operates only during the winter season from December to February.

How does the Songhua River Ropeway work?

The ropeway is a cable car that crosses the Songhua River, giving you an overhead view of the city and the frozen landscape. The crossing takes about 30 minutes round-trip, and you ride it twice during the tour, once to reach Russian Town and once to return to Sidalin Park.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch features local Harbin dumplings and is eaten during the 12:00pm to 2:00pm stop at Zhongyang Pedestrian Street. The meal is included in the tour price.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickups begin early and finish by 9:20am at the last hotel (Harbin Holiday Inn). The tour ends around 5:30pm when you're transferred back to your hotel.

Can I visit the TV Dragon Tower during this tour?

If your group agrees and you have free time, you can visit the TV Dragon Tower, but the entrance ticket costs 150 CNY and is not included in the tour price.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the meeting point?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for centrally located Harbin city hotels. If you live outside the city, you'll need to meet your group at a Harbin city hotel. Contact the operator to confirm the meeting time and location.