Ice, ice baby

This ice castle is one of many scupltures on display at this year's Harbin Ice and Snow World Festival. Wang Jianwei / Xinhua

If you go

Flights

A flight to Harbin Taiping International Airport from Beijing takes about two hours and prices start from 670 yuan (77 euros), while flights from Shanghai take about three hours and cost 1,060 yuan.

Climate

Harbin has four distinct seasons with a long cold winter and a short cool summer. Winter can be very cold, averaging -15 C to -25 C from December to February, plummeting as low as - 40 C during some windy nights. There is plenty of rainfall in summer from June to August and the average temperature is 23 C, making it an attractive escape from sweltering temperatures elsewhere in China. Autumn is short with fluctuating temperatures, and the weather is dry and a little windy. It has little rainfall. Late spring and early autumn are great times for a visit. But if you are a snow sports fanatic, visit in winter.

Food

Harbin cuisine is an intriguing fusion of tastes from Russia, Japan and other parts of China.

.Red and dried sausage (European-style smoked pork sausages)

.Jiaozi or dumplings with various fillings

.Harbin Beer

.Lie ba (a large Russian bread with a cracked crust)

.Harbin spring rolls (Tasty pastries with potatoes, cucumbers, sausages and eggs)

.Shredded chicken cooked with mushroom

Souvenirs

.Imported Russian goods, such as vodka, fur hats and babushka dolls.

.Woodcarving

.Ginseng, (deer) pilose antler and pelts of marten are regarded as the "Three Treasures" of Northeast China.

Tips

.January is an excellent time to visit Harbin but most shops are closed between Jan 1-5 during the Spring Festival vacation.

.Be sure to bring more clothes. Woolen trousers, hats, gloves and ear covers are must.

.Even though it is cold, it's still quite dry, so use thick moisturizers.

.Keep your camera warm, since the shuttle and lens of your camera may break down in such weather.