Strolling along Zhongyang Street, having a bite of Madie’er Popsicles at the temperature of -20℃, and playing at Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley ( Stalin Park at the north end of Zhongyang Street) are three of the top things to do in winter in Harbin, a unique and exotic experience in Harbin.
Meaning of the word “Madie’er” & Modern Hotel
The word “Madie’er” , also spelled as “Madieer” ( 马迭尔） comes form Russian language, which literally means ” modern, trendy and fashionable”. Basically the word was first used by the same name hotel – Madie’er Hotel (Modern Hotel), originally built on the Zhongyang Street in 1906. It was one of the most luxurious multi-functional hotels in Harbin at that time, integrating catering, entertainment and accommodation.
Madie’er Hotel ( Modern Hotel) was also well known for its western food, including the famous Madie’er ice cream bars, or popsicles.
Modern Hotel has experienced a hundred years of ups and downs, and its building is well preserved both inside and outside, just as its name implies, it can be regarded as one of the most modern and luxurious hotels at the beginning of this century, and it is also the representative work of early hotel architecture in Harbin.
Madie’er Popsicles
There are many outlets for selling Madie’er ice pops ( 马迭尔冰棍 ) in Harbin. But most people would flock to the Madie’er time-honored store, actually a small outlet attached to Modern Hotel (Madie’er Hotel 马迭尔宾馆) at No. 89, Zhongyang Street, the most famous pedestrian only street in Harbin.
While strolling on the Zhongyang Street, don’t forget to queue for a taste of Madieer Popsicles (ice lolly) at RMB 5, a good vanilla flavored cream at Madieer Beverage House by the side of the main entrance to Madieer Hotel (Modern Hotel ) , No.89 at Zhongyang Street.
Zhongyang Street in Harbin
A leisure stroll along Zhongyang Street is one of your highlights on your Harbin trip. Zhongyang Street is a unique European-style pedestrian street, 1450m long with lines of edifices, masses of entertainment areas, and colorful cultural life.
All of these buildings are in various styles including renaissance style, baroque style, eclectic style, as well as modern style, the profound history of architecture, a real “Architecture Art Gallery” in China.
Virtual Tour of Zhongyang Street and a bite of Madie’er Ice Pops
Roughly running from south to north ( abutting the Stalin Park and Songhua River), Zhongyang Street has a huge archway iron sign on its south entrance indicating the street is an architectural art museum.
Madieer Hotel (Modern Hotel) at 89, Zhongyang Street, Harbin
The Madieer Beverage House attached to Madieer Hotel selling Madieer Popsicles (ice lolly).
Each Madieer vanilla ice pop costs RMB 5
Please take it and have a bite!
Take a picture while eating ice lollies.
Playing at Ice and Snow Happy Valley (Stalin Park）
At the northern end of Zhongyang Street is the Stalin Park on the southern bank of Songhua River, a Soviet-era landscaped park with Russian gardens & monuments, plus an annual snow & ice festival.
Behind the monument is the centre area of Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley, an annual event in Stalin Park. It is a place you immerse yourself into the happy ice and snow events in Harbin – winter swimming, snow bike, skiing and you name it.
So, when you come visit Harbin, don’t miss “the Best Three “of Harbin – Strolling the Zhongyang Street , having a bite of a Madieer Ice Pop and playing at Ice and Snow Happy Valley in Harbin.
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.