5-Day Harbin and China Snow Town Tour

Even coming from Iceland the Harbin Ice Festival blew me away - city-block sized castles carved from ice and lit in every colour. The five days also took us to China Snow Town with its postcard snow-draped roofs. Bitterly cold but our guide made sure we were warm and well fed.

A proper winter wonderland. The illuminated ice sculptures in Harbin at night were jaw-dropping, and Snow Town felt like a fairy tale. Five days gave time for both plus the Russian-influenced architecture on Central Street. Dress for minus 25 and you'll have the best time.

Took the family north for the snow and it delivered. Snow Town's deep powder and the kids' faces at the giant ice festival sculptures made the trip. Our private guide handled the cold-weather logistics perfectly across all five days. A bucket-list winter experience.

Harbin's ice and snow festival is genuinely world-class, and Snow Town is impossibly pretty. Five days is well judged. It is extremely cold - rent the proper boots the guide recommends. The private setup meant we ducked indoors to warm up whenever we needed.