Looking for something truly different this coming summer holiday? While it’s sunshine season in New Zealand, why not swap the beaches for snowflakes and experience an unforgettable winter wonderland in China? Join us this January school holiday on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure from the ancient capital of Beijing to the glittering snow kingdom of Harbin in China’s northeast. Wander through the Forbidden City, marvel at the Great Wall’s majestic beauty, and walk in the footsteps of emperors at the Temple of Heaven. Then fly north to experience the Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival — a dazzling world of ice castles, neon-lit sculptures, and glowing palaces carved entirely from ice.
Celebrate a true white Christmas holiday – snow-covered towns, frosty forests, and magical frozen landscapes. Explore Beijing’s imperial heritage – Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, and more. Visit China Snow Town – the most scenic and authentic snow village in China. Ride horse-drawn sleighs and experience beginner skiing in Yabuli. Be wowed by the Harbin Ice & Snow World – one of the largest ice festivals in the world, with stunning nighttime illuminations and creative ice art. Enjoy authentic local cuisine, including a Beijing Roast Duck banquet and hearty Northeast specialties.
With 4-star accommodation, expert local guides, and all transport and meals included, this tour is perfectly designed for families, couples, and anyone seeking a magical January escape. Trade flip-flops for snow boots and give your family the gift of a truly magical holiday – a snowy adventure full of culture, colour, and wonder.
Auckland – Beijing
Arrive in Auckland International airport and take flight to China.
Beijing
Lunch
Upon arrival, your tour guide will meet you at the airport and then you will visit the Summer Palace, the largest and best preserved of all imperial palace gardens. Marvel with fascination at the Marble Boat and the ornately painted Long Corridor. After lunch, transfer to the hotel to have a good rest.
Hotel Accommodation: Wanda Moment Beijing or similar 4 star accommodation
Beijing
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Today you will visit Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. From Tiananmen Square enter the Forbidden City. This massive complex was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With almost 10,000 rooms, this well-preserved imperial palace is the largest in the world. Later, visit one of the royal gardens in the old days – Beihai Park. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Peking Duck Banquet.
Beijing
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Today you will experience the splendour of the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is an amazing manmade structure built over 2000 years ago to protect China from northern invaders. On the way back, you will also have a photo stop at the new icons in Beijing – the 2008 Olympic venues of Bird’s Nest & Water Cube.
Beijing
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, you will visit Yonghegong (Lama Temple) in Beijing. It is a famous Tibetan Buddhist temple with a history of over 300 years. It blends Han, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Manchu architectural styles. Once an imperial residence, it later became a major religious site. Then, you will visit Prince Gong's Mansion. It is the largest mansion in the Qing Dynasty and has a history witnessing the prosperity and decline of the Qing Dynasty. Also, you will have some free time on Qianmen Street. The street is 1,400 metres long and 20 metres wide, with a unique century-old clanging cart running through it. It is not only a commercial street but also a concentrated carrier of Beijing's traditional culture, presenting the most authentic "Beijing" lifestyle.
Beijing - Harbin
Breakfast
Lunch
In the morning, tour to the magnificent Temple of Heaven, a Ming Temple where the Emperors performed annual rites essential for the well-being of their land. After that, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Harbin. Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and then transfer to the hotel.
Hotel Accommodation: Xueli Hotel or similar 4 star accommodation
Harbin - Yabuli
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Yabuli Ski Resort (about three hours). Upon arrival, experience a horse-drawn sleigh (about thirty minutes). In winter, the snowfall is heavy, making it difficult for people and vehicles to travel. To reduce the strong pressure on the snow surface, the special means of transportation - horse-drawn sleigh - was created. Along with the sound of bells, you can see rows of horse-drawn sleighs passing through the forest and snowfields. While riding the sleigh, you can enjoy the vast white snow, watch the horses exhaling mist, and feel like walking through white clouds as you move on the snow-covered ground. After lunch, you will experience skiing, one of the four noble sports! Enjoy three hours of beginner skiing (including snowshoes, skis, and poles), and personally experience the thrilling skiing.
Hotel Accommodation: Yunfeng Hotel or similar 4 star accommodation
Yabuli - Snow Town
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to China Snow Town (about 2.5 hours). Upon arrival at Yaxue Post Station, visit Ten-Mile Ice and Snow Gallery, walking through the forest across the snowfields to enjoy the most primitive northern scenery, where ice and snow-capped pines are perfectly combined. There are large snow sculptures, large icicles, large ice, a wildlife park, Mountain God Temple, and Weihuzhai. After lunch, enter Snow Town Forest Park and stroll along Xueyun Street, the main road and the liveliest street in Snow Town. After that, you will visit Snow Town Museum, where folk items and Snow Town - characteristic cultural products such as paintings, pictures, and souvenirs record the development and changes of Snow Town, comprehensively displaying the regional characteristics and custom culture.
Hotel Accommodation: Wanjia Forest Hot Spring or similar 4 star accommodation
Snow Town - Harbin
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, you will climb up Xuexiang Bangchui Mountain Observation Boardwalk, which is a wooden structure, to overlook the panoramic view of the entire Snow Town. You can see the clusters of farmhouses covered in snow with curling smoke, and natural landscapes such as snow tongues, snow curtains, and snow mushrooms hanging from the thatched eaves. Experience the popular 95-Degree Water Splashing into Ice - a super fun activity. Take the Sightseeing Bus and Snowmobile to cross the forest and snowfields. Enjoy the beautiful ice and snow scenery of the north slowly in the warm and comfortable sightseeing bus, then get off at the snowmobile pick-up point. Later, transfer back to Harbin.
Hotel Accommodation: Xueli Hotel or similar 4 star accommodation
Harbin
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, check into the unique romance of Harbin - the watch of the Giant Snowman Snow Sculpture. The giant snowman is 18 metres high, 13 metres long, and uses about 2,000 cubic metres of snow. Its huge figure and cute appearance are really charming. Visit the exterior of Harbin Opera House. Later, visit Harbin Ice and Snow World. Founded in 1999, Harbin Ice and Snow World is a large-scale ice and snow art project launched by the Harbin Municipal Government to welcome the Millennium Celebration Shenzhou Century Tour. Taking advantage of Harbin's ice and snow season, it showcases the ice and snow culture and tourism charm of Harbin, a famous northern city.
Beijing
Breakfast
Lunch
After breakfast, visit Songhua River Binzhou Railway Bridge. It is not only the earliest railway bridge on the Songhua River but also the first cross-river bridge in Harbin, accompanying Harbin for 114 years. Walk on the glass plank road of this century-old river bridge. Try to challenge your courage. Visit Stalin Park, the longest ribbon-shaped open park in China, and see Harbin's landmark - the Flood Control Monument. Go to Central Avenue for a stroll - formerly known as Zhongguo Avenue, it is where Harbin's Western style lies. Then, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Beijing, and then transfer on your own to return to New Zealand.
Beijing - Auckland
Flight back to Auckland.
| Twin Share | Single | |
|---|---|---|
| Per Person | 5299 | 815 |
*Itinerary and costs subject to change. Airline, fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
Please pay a non-refundable deposit of NZD 2000 at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due by 1st November. Kindly note that once the full payment is made, no refunds will be issued. Thank you for your understanding.
