A 9-Day Journey in Harbin and Mohe
Hey, dear foreign friends! I’m here to share with you an amazing 9-day journey in Harbin and Mohe that I took from January 14th to January 22nd, 2020.
The Motivation and Preparation
As a girl from the south, snow has always been a dream for me. I’ve dreamt about it many times in the past 20 years. After some headaches with work leave arrangements, I finally set the date for this long – awaited trip. It was a fantastic trio of us embarking on this adventure.
I was really worried about the extremely cold weather in Harbin and Mohe as I’m quite sensitive to cold. I checked the weather constantly and ended up buying a huge amount of warm – keeping items and even prepared a 29 – inch suitcase. But later I found out I brought too many things that I didn’t use at all. So, my advice is to travel light!
The Journey Itself
- The Routes and Transportation
During the Spring Festival travel rush, it was incredibly difficult to get tickets. I took a train from Guangzhou (actually from Zhaoqing) to Harbin West, then another train from Harbin to Mohe, and back from Mohe to Harbin. Finally, I flew from Harbin to Shenzhen.
In Harbin, I used taxis, buses, or just walked around. In Mohe, I highly recommend finding a reliable guide. My friend found one online, and he turned out to be really nice. He even saved my phone!- In Harbin, it cost about 30 yuan to take a taxi from Harbin West Station to Central Street. Taxis from Central Street to places like Stalin Park, Songhua River, Sofia Church, and Harbin Railway Station cost about 10 yuan (the starting price). You can also walk as the distances are quite short, but sometimes it’s hard to get a taxi. Buses are an option too, but waiting for them can be freezing.
- The Scenic Spots
- Harbin: Central Street is a must – visit. You can enjoy delicious local snacks like popsicles, red – sausage, and candied haws. There are also many beautiful buildings and shops. The Songhua River offers a unique view, especially in winter when it’s frozen. Sofia Church is a beautiful Russian – style building that looks like a fairytale castle.
- Mohe: I highly recommend places like Beiji Village, Beihong Village, the First Bay of the Heilongjiang River, and the Birch Forest. In Beiji Village, you can experience the real northernmost life, watch the stars and the Milky Way at night, and even set off fireworks. The First Bay of the Heilongjiang River has an amazing view of the river bending like a dragon. The Birch Forest is like a fairytale world with its white – barked trees.
The Experiences
I had so many unforgettable experiences during this trip. I walked on Central Street, ate all kinds of local delicacies, tried skiing with kids, fed deer, took aerial photos in the Birch Forest, and even learned some Northeast dialects. I also had the experience of being chased by a dog, which was a bit scary but also added some excitement to the journey.
The Warm – Keeping Equipment
For the – 30℃+ weather, here are some tips on warm – keeping equipment.
– Shoes: I wore Decathlon snow boots with multiple layers of socks (a thin long one, a cotton – filled one, and a fluffy one), and sometimes added warm – foot stickers. But even so, my toes would still get frozen after about 30 minutes outdoors.
– Pants: Decathlon thin leggings, a thick pair of leggings suitable for around – 10℃, a windproof cotton – padded pants (a must if you go to Mohe), and a nice skirt on the outside.
– Upper Body: Decathlon thin base layer (the same set as the pants), an outer top, and a warm coat. I didn’t feel cold even in – 30℃ with just a base layer, a short – sleeved top, and a down jacket.
– Accessories: A hat that covers your ears, at least two layers of gloves (I used Decathlon thin gloves and Nanjiren thick ones, and they should be touch – screen compatible), and a scarf to protect your neck from the cold wind.
The Food
I tried so many delicious local foods, such as Guobao Rou (sweet and sour pork), Madieer popsicles, red – sausage, frozen persimmons, and various kinds of stews. I especially recommend the Shanhetun Iron – Pot Stew, which is a classic Northeast dish.
The People I Met
- The Kids: On the train to Harbin, there were some really cute kids. One 2 – year – old girl could recite a poem and make a “V” sign. Another little girl from Tianjin was so adorable, crying when she couldn’t find her dad.
- The Taxi Driver: When I first arrived in Harbin, I had a chat with the taxi driver. He gave me a funny warning: “Don’t lick the electric pole!”
- My Travel Companions: My two friends were really great. One was a girl from Suzhou, and the other was a kind – hearted Northeast sister. Our guide was also a multi – talented person. He could sing and used to be a chef. We had a lot of fun on his car, singing and chatting.
- The Shopkeepers: The lady in the small shop in Beiji Village was very kind, always telling us to warm up before going out. And the post – office lady and the guy selling fireworks were also very friendly.
The Photos
I took a lot of beautiful photos in Harbin. You can see the ice – covered windows on the train, the bustling Central Street, the magnificent Sofia Church, the frozen Songhua River, and the delicious local food. These photos are like a vivid album of my wonderful journey.
This trip was not only about seeing beautiful scenery and trying delicious food but also about meeting wonderful people and having unforgettable experiences. I hope you can also have a chance to explore these amazing places in the future!
