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2-Day Winter Trip from Harbin to Heihe – The Ultimate Border Adventure for Foreign Travelers (2026 Guide)

Introduction: “I Thought It Was Just Snow… Then I Saw the Russian Church Across the Ice”

You’ve seen photos of Harbin’s ice castles.But have you heard about Heihe (Hēihé / 黑河)—a quiet border town where you can stand on a frozen river and see Russia just 700 meters away?

Aerial view of a snow-covered city beside a frozen river. Buildings and trees line the riverbank. The sky is clear and blue.
Heihe

Most travel sites say: “Go to Heihe for the Russian vibe.”They don’t tell you that buses stop running at 4:30 PM, or that you can’t rent a car with a foreign driver’s license, even if you have an IDP.


Cityscape at dusk with illuminated buildings and a frozen river. Vibrant red and orange lights line the street. Sky is a mix of blue and orange.
Heihe

Last winter, Lisa from Australia arrived by train at 8 AM.She wanted to explore on her own. But no rental company accepted her documents.She waited two hours in -20°C cold before we helped her book a local driver through our network.

Snow-covered landscape with a long bridge over icy water, surrounded by trees and patches of snow. The scene is tranquil and misty.
Heihe

That’s why I wrote this guide.After helping over 1,000 international travelers since 2017, I’ll show you exactly how to plan a smooth 2-day winter trip from Harbin to Heihe—with real transport times, step-by-step tips, and mistakes only foreigners make.

✅ Core keyword: Harbin to Heihe winter 2-day trip for foreign travelers

H2: How to Get from Harbin to Heihe – Train or Flight? （Harbin to Heihe winter 2-day trip for foreign travelers）

Heihe is 680 km northeast of Harbin (Hā'ěrbīn / 哈尔滨).

Winter roads are icy. So your best options? Overnight train or short flight.

Cityscape at dusk with a full moon. Snow-covered buildings, some displaying a warm glow. Blue and purple sky, prominent building labeled "CCB."
Heihe

Option 1: Overnight Train (Best Value + Cozy Experience)

  • Departs Harbin Railway Station (Hā'ěrbīn Zhàn / 哈尔滨站) around 6:20 PM.

  • Arrives at Heihe Railway Station (Hēihé Zhàn / 黑河站) by 6:40 AM next day.

  • Hard sleeper (6-berth): ¥152. Soft sleeper (private 4-bed cabin): ¥233.

  • Pro tip: Book soft sleeper. Trains get very cold at night—even with heating.


Option 2: Direct Flight (Fastest but Limited Schedules)

  • Flies from Harbin Taiping International Airport (Hā'ěrbīn Tàipíng Guójì Jīchǎng / 哈尔滨太平国际机场) to Heihe Aihui Airport (Hēihé Àihuī Jīchǎng / 黑河瑷珲机场).

  • Flight time: ~1 hour. Cost: ¥500–¥800 one-way.

  • 4-5 flights daily. Check Chengdu Airline or Taiping Airline online.

🛌 Once in Heihe: Stay near Heilongjiang River Park (Hēilóngjiāng Jiāngpō Gōngyuán / 黑龙江公园). It’s warm, walkable, and close to food streets.

H2: Day 1 – Walk the China-Russia Border

Heihe sits right on the Amur River, facing Blagoveshchensk (Russia). You can see church spires across the ice.

Morning: Dahéhé Island & Heilongjiang River Park

  • Take a taxi to Dahēhé Island (Dà Hēihé Dǎo / 大黑河岛)—a trade zone with Russian shops and photo spots.

Ferris wheel with colorful fireworks at night. City skyline lit up with neon lights. Crowds and parked cars below create a festive mood.
Dahēhé Island

  • Walk along the frozen river. Morning light makes the ice glow blue.

  • Then head to Heilongjiang River Park (Hēilóngjiāng Jiāngpō Gōngyuán / 黑龙江公园). The wooden path runs beside snow-covered pine trees—very peaceful.

Lunch: Eat Like a Local

  • Try Deluoke Russian Restaurant (Déluòkè Éshì Cāntīng / 德洛克俄式餐厅).

  • Order grilled lamb skewers (“dà chuàn”) and borscht. Portions are huge.

  • Cost: ~¥60 per person.

Afternoon: Heihe Port & Russian Goods Street

  • Visit Heihe Port (Hēihé Kǒu'àn / 黑河口岸). Take a selfie at the “China-Russia Border” sign.


Red Chinese flag flies outside Heihe Port building in snow. Glass facade, red lanterns, and sign in Chinese and English under clear blue sky.
Heihe Port

  • Then walk down Russian Goods Street (Éguó Shāngpǐn Jiē / 俄货商品街). Buy souvenirs:

    • Vodka (from ¥80)

    • Chocolate (try “Rot Front”)

    • Matryoshka dolls (from ¥50)

Street entrance with Russian and Chinese signs, cars parked, buildings lining both sides, bare trees, clear sky, and urban setting.
Russian Goods Street

Evening: Sunset + Dinner with a View

  • Return to the riverbank before sunset (~4:50 PM).

  • Watch golden light hit the Russian church across the Amur.

  • Eat at Liènà Russian Restaurant (Liènà Éshì Cāntīng / 列娜俄式餐厅). Their sour cream soup is legendary.

🌟 Bonus stop: Pass by General Ma Zhanshan Memorial Hall (Mǎ Zhànshān Jìniànguǎn / 马占山历史陈列馆). Free entry. Learn about a hero who fought Japanese invaders in the 1930s.

H2: Day 2 – History & Nature Beyond the City

Day two takes you deeper into culture and nature.

Morning: Aihui Historical Museum & Ancient Town

  • Drive 30 mins to Aihui District (Àihuī Qū / 瑷珲区).

  • Visit Aihui Historical Museum (Àihuī Lìshǐ Bówùguǎn / 瑷珲历史陈列馆). It tells the painful story of the 1858 Treaty of Aigun, when China lost land to Russia. Powerful exhibits. Open 9:00–16:30. Free entry.

Museum entrance with detailed wall relief and large steps. Blue sky, trees, and sculpture near doorway. Text in Asian script above entry.
Aihui Historical Museum

  • Then walk through Aihui Ancient Town (Àihuī Gǔchéng / 瑷珲古城). At night, it lights up with red lanterns—very photogenic.

A traditional Chinese tower with a green roof, surrounded by snowy trees and clear blue sky, evoking a tranquil winter scene.
Aihui Ancient Town

Lunch: Fresh Cold-Water Fish

  • Try local fish like Jingui (Golden Turtle Carp) or Wudalianchi fish (Wǔdàliánchí Yú / 五大连池鱼).

  • Best place: Small family-run restaurants near the museum. Ask your driver to help order.

Afternoon Option (If Time Allows): Wudalianchi Volcanic Lakes

  • About 2-hour drive from Heihe.

  • See frozen lava fields and Wenbo Lake (Wēnbō Hú / 温泊)—a rare winter-hot spring lake covered in mist. Looks like magic.

  • Entry fee: ¥68. Not crowded in winter.

Snow-covered mountain with steam rising from the ground, against a clear blue sky. The landscape is serene and vast, with a tranquil mood.
Wudalianchi Volcanic Lakes
❄️ Weather note: Average temp in January: -25°C (-13°F). Wear thermal layers, down jacket, gloves, and insulated boots.

Final Tips from DolphinUnion: Warm Gear, Warm Hearts

I’ve planned dozens of trips from Harbin to Heihe.The ones who enjoy it most? They book trains early, pack serious winter gear, and use local drivers instead of renting cars.

And remember—Northeast China isn’t just ice sculptures.It’s steaming bowls of dumplings, hand-pulled noodles under neon signs, and border towns where two cultures quietly meet.

Aerial view of a river winding through a frosty landscape with orange-tinted trees. People walk along snowy paths on a sunny winter day.
Wudalianchi Volcanic Lakes
✅ Need a Car & Driver in Heihe?
We offer verified private transfers with English-speaking support.

Just fill out our form—we’ll reply within 2 hours.

📱 WhatsApp: +1 571 572 8786

💬 WeChat: DolphinUnion


White frost clusters on a red clay surface under sunlight, creating a striking contrast. No visible text. The mood is serene and cold.
Wudalianchi Volcanic Lakes

Pair this with our digital guide:

Ice City 144 Hours: Harbin’s Sino-Russian Ice-Snow Guide

Swap silence for sparkle.

This 130+ page e-guide unlocks Harbin’s frosty magic—from ice slides to Siberian tigers—with everything you need:

✅ Harbin Ice and Snow World: Skip lines with 14-day advance booking. Ride the 120m super slide fast.

✅ Yabuli Ski Resort & Snow Town: Pick beginner slopes or luxury stays. Soak in forest hot springs after skiing.

✅ 50+ Authentic Eats: Try ¥2 fried glutinous cakes, ¥5 vanilla popsicles in -20°C, and iron pot stews.

✅ Hidden Gems: Volga Manor’s snow-globe castles, Gogol Street’s baroque cafes, and Unit 731 Memorial Site.

✅ Extreme Cold Survival Kit: Thermal insoles, phone warmers, and camera protection tips.

✅ Bilingual Navigation: Clickable Amap links open directly—no typing Chinese addresses.

✅ Full Itineraries: Hour-by-hour plans for 2–5 days, including transit and ticket links.

✅ Payment & Connectivity: Use foreign cards on Alipay. Stay online with RORO eSIM + Astrill VPN.


🎁 Try before you buy!

Your perfect Northeast China trip starts here—not with stress, but with wonder.

Ice City 144 Hours: Harbin’s Sino-Russian Ice-Snow Guide
$9.99
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