Plan your Harbin tour in winter? For a first-time visitor, one of the top things to do in Harbin in winter is to watch the local winter swimmers to brave the extremely cold Songhua River and swim basically under 20 degrees Celsius.
When originally the Winter Swimming started Harbin?
Winter swimming in Harbin is a sport with typical Harbin cultural characteristics. The sport started in 1980s. It was said that a Mr.Yu accidentally fell into the iced Songhua River when he walked on the iced surface in 1982.
He swam to the bank disregard of the extreme cold. Not feared, he felt recharged and excited after swimming in the cold water. Later he contacted over a dozen of winter swimming enthusiasts to swim in Songhua River, thus starting a page of winter swimming in Harbin.
In 1983, Harbin Winter Swimming Association was formally established. The City General Union delegated by Harbin City Government is responsible for the organization, guidance and management of winter swimming in Harbin. 40% of the winter swimmers in Harbin are now seniors and some are over the ages 70 and 80.
Where to See the Winter Swimming Show in Harbin?
If you are planning Harbin tour, definitely you won’t miss the opportunity to watch the brave men’s winter performance. Every year from late December to the mid-February, some of the winter swimming enthusiasts will put on performance at a swimming pool, which is actually a large square ice hole cut and dug on Songhua River along the Stalin Park.
The Songhua River around the Stalin Park will be turned into a huge ice park in each winter season which is officially known as Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley .
So the winter swimming pool dug in Songhua River is located within Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley which is a large expanse of iced surface along Stalin Park on the northern end of Zhongyang Street.
Basically many travellers would put Zhongyang Street and Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley (including winter swimming) on a combo half or day trip in Harbin.
Entrance Tickets for Watching the Winter Swimming Show
The winter swimming performance is put on between 10:00 to 14:00. Pay a small amount of money for a few minutes’ look at these brave people swimming in the cold water. For RMB 20, you are able to take a picture with these winter enthusiasts.
Virtual Tour of Harbin Winter Swimming
A guy wearing a short speaking through a microphone, briefing the onlookers on the winter swimming activity in Harbin.
The organizer wears a short and speaks through a microphone, making a brief introduction about the winter swimming activity in Harbin,
Here come two female winter swimming enthusiasts
Again here come three male enthusiast winter swimmers
Posed for a stereotyped photo.
Preparing for a jump into the pool
Ready to jump
Jump into the extremely cold water
Swimming in the cold water
A funny jump into the water
Taking a picture with winter swimming enthusiasts
Tip: Hassle-free Northeast China Escorted Tours
Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for Northeast China guided tours with English-speaking tour guides:
Harbin Tour
Harbin 3 Day Tour Package
Changchun Tour
Shenyang Tour
Dalian Tour
Dandong Tour
North Korea Tour
Northeast China Tour
Further Readings
Top Attractions in Northeast China
Top 10 Attractions in Harbin
Top 6 Things to Do in Heilongjiang
Top 10 Attractions in Shenyang
Top 10 Attractions in Dandong
Top 10 Attractions in Ji’an
Top 10 Attractions in Panjin
Top 10 Attractions in Dalian (Tips, Photos and Maps)
Best Time to Visit Harbin
Where to Stay in Harbin
Harbin West Railway Station
Top Things to Do in Winter in Harbin
Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley
Harbin Ice and Snow World
Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo
Harbin Winter Swimming
Madie’er Popsicles in Harbin
Harbin Jihua Ski Resort
Suan Cai Jiaozi – New Year’s Soul in Dongbei
What to see in Harbin, things to do in Harbin
China Snow Town
Scenic Drive from Harbin to China Snow Town
Shuttle Bus from Harbin to China Snow Town
Harbin – Yabuli – China Snow Town Shuttle Bus
Sunrise Glow over China Snow Village
Night View of China Snow Village
Qiqihar Taxi: Qiqihar Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Mudanjiang Taxi: Mudanjiang Taxi Fares, Tips and phones
Harbin Taxi: Harbin Taxi Fares, Tips and Phone
Yanji Taxi: Yanji Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Jilin Taxi: Jilin Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Changchun Taxi: Changchun Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Dandong Taxi: Dandong Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Shenyang Taxi: Shenyang Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Any questions, just drop a line.
Do they do this winter swimming everyday or just certain days of the week between 10 and 2pm? Thanks
Hi Tracy,
As far as I know, they do it veryday as a kind of winter activity as well as a way of making small money. Visitors have to pay to enter the swimming area.
Can anyone have a swim?
Dear Rodney,
Sure, it is if you can survive the coldness. Have a nice time in Harbin!
how many meters is the swimming competition?
Hi Jose,
Just a fun, not for competition, something like 50x80m meters.