Discover Stalin Park, where Harbin's Russian heritage meets riverside charm! This sprawling park along the Songhua River transforms into a winter wonderland with massive ice sculptures, snow slides, and daredevil ice-swimming shows. In summer, it's the locals' favorite spot to breeze by the riverbank or hop on sightseeing boats. Don't miss the iconic Flood Control Monument at its heart – a tribute to the city's flood battles, stunningly lit at night. Pro tip: Try authentic Russian-style ice cream from vintage kiosks!

Everything you need to know about Stalin Park
Harbin Richland Ritz-Carlton Hotel is ideal, located just steps from Stalin Park with panoramic views of the Songhua River. The hotel features luxury river-view rooms, a premium spa, and authentic local cuisine. Its central location allows easy access to Central Street and St. Sophia Cathedral, making it perfect for experiencing Harbin’s winter charm and cultural heritage.
From Stalin Park, take Metro Line 1 or Bus Route 36—both reach Central Street and St. Sophia Cathedral within 10 minutes. For scenic views, rent an electric scooter and ride along the Songhua River embankment, passing by ice lantern exhibitions and historic Russian-style architecture. Free guided tours are also available within the park, ideal for families and photography enthusiasts.
Stalin Park transforms into China’s largest ice sculpture zone during the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival (December–February). Visitors can enjoy ice slides, ice mazes, ice dragon boat races, and marvel at illuminated giant ice sculptures. Warm shelters and hot tea stations are provided throughout the park. Dress warmly with thermal layers and insulated boots to fully embrace this Arctic wonderland experience.
Yes! The park features a children’s interactive zone with mini sled runs, ice playhouses, and hands-on craft workshops. Weekends often host Russian folk performances and traditional art classes like paper cutting and sugar painting. Nearby, Harbin Polar Museum offers close-up encounters with penguins, seals, and polar bears—perfect for a fun, educational day out with kids.
The best time for photography is dusk to nightfall, when ice lanterns glow and light reflections dance on frozen surfaces. Use a telephoto lens for detailed shots or a tripod for long-exposure effects capturing flowing light trails. Frame your shots with the frozen Songhua River and distant Russian-style buildings, adding red scarves or fur hats for authentic northern vibes. Some areas offer free photo props and professional backdrop setups.
Stalin Park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, extended to midnight during winter. Admission is free year-round, but the Ice Lantern Exhibition (Dec–Feb) charges 80 CNY for adults, with half-price for students and seniors. Multiple entrances are available; the Central Street entrance connects directly to shopping districts and pedestrian streets, simplifying trip planning.
See what other travelers say about Stalin Park

Staying at Sofitel Harbin was absolutely the right choice! The hotel was spotless and immaculately clean throughout—every corner showed attention to detail. Before arrival, a personal concierge called to confirm our preferences and even arranged the room accordingly. That level of thoughtful service made us feel truly welcomed and well taken care of. The staff radiated genuine warmth and hospitality, making us feel like we were being greeted by friends from beautiful Northeast China. From check-in to checkout, every interaction was smooth and memorable. This is not just a hotel—it’s an experience. I’d definitely come back and recommend it to anyone visiting Harbin.

This youth hostel is an absolute gem! The rooms are cozy and thoughtfully decorated, making it feel more like a home away from home. The staff go above and beyond—friendly, helpful, and genuinely warm, always ready to chat or share tips. Since most guests are travelers, the atmosphere is super social and welcoming, especially during New Year’s Eve, which we celebrated together in a lively, memorable way. The location is fantastic—just a short walk from Hongzhuan Morning Market, so breakfast every morning feels like a local experience. Public transport access to Central Avenue is convenient too. One small suggestion: upgrading the dorm beds to a capsule-style design could enhance privacy and overall comfort. Still, this place delivers great value and a truly authentic travel vibe!

Staying at Rezen Dong Hotel was an absolutely delightful experience from start to finish. The front desk reached out in advance via WeChat to confirm our check-in time and shared the hotel location along with helpful tips—so convenient! Upon arrival, we were greeted with a small welcome gift and found a cozy bedtime milk waiting in the room—such a thoughtful touch. The room itself was spacious, comfortably furnished, and the heating system worked perfectly, making it warm and inviting throughout our stay. Due to schedule changes, we requested a late checkout, which the staff happily accommodated without any hassle. Even when checking out, we received a cute Harbin fridge magnet as a keepsake—a sweet little memento. The hotel’s excellent service, attention to detail, and prime location near Central Street and the Flood Prevention Memorial Tower made this stay truly special. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Harbin—this is definitely a top choice!

Staying at Jia Chen Business Hotel was an absolute delight. The location is unbeatable—right next to the riverside, just a 10-minute walk to Zhonghua Baroque Street. Evenings were magical: strolling along the railway bridge, stopping by the Flood Prevention Memorial Tower, and soaking in the views of Central Avenue with a gentle breeze from the river. It felt so peaceful and authentic. The owner couldn’t have been more welcoming—friendly, helpful, and even offered little thoughtful touches that made the stay feel special. The room was clean, well-maintained, and comfortably furnished. If you’re looking for a quiet, convenient base to explore Harbin’s charm, this hotel is a top pick. I’ll definitely be back.

I've visited Harbin many times, but this stay at Xinling Homestay (Harbin West Railway Station) was truly a pleasant surprise. The location is excellent—just a short walk from the train station, and everything else in the city is super accessible via metro. I made it to the morning market, explored the 731 Memorial Site, and enjoyed some amazing local food—all within a convenient radius. The room itself was spacious, clean, and thoughtfully designed. It had all the essentials: a fridge, washing machine, even a mahjong table for fun evenings. The large-screen TV delivered crisp, clear movie nights. Everything about the stay felt well-planned and comfortable. With such great value and convenience, I’ll definitely be extending my next visit and staying longer. Highly recommend!

Stayed here during the May 1st holiday and couldn’t be happier with the value! The room was spotless, and I appreciated that water wasn’t charged extra—daily fresh bottles were neatly placed in the room by the housekeeping staff. The front desk team was incredibly friendly and helpful, always ready to assist with any request. Location is perfect: just a short walk from Central Street and right next to a subway station, making it easy to explore the city. Everything I needed was within walking distance. Overall, this hotel exceeded my expectations in comfort, cleanliness, and convenience. A fantastic choice for anyone visiting Harbin—definitely coming back!

The room was exceptionally clean and well-maintained, making it a perfect choice for couples or families. What stood out the most was the robot delivery service—my takeout arrived right at my door without needing to leave the room. It added a fun, futuristic touch to the stay and made everything so convenient. The location is great, close to the exhibition center and sports college, with easy access to public transport. Everything about this hotel feels fresh and thoughtfully designed. I’d definitely come back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for comfort, cleanliness, and a bit of tech charm.

My stay at GreenTree (Harbin Central Avenue) was absolutely fantastic. The location is unbeatable—just a short walk to Central Street and the bustling Red Brick Market, perfect for morning strolls and local eats. The room was clean, cozy, and warmly heated, making it super comfortable even during the cold winter days. I especially appreciated the friendly and attentive staff—they went above and beyond with their service, always smiling and ready to help. From check-in to checkout, every interaction felt genuine and welcoming. It’s rare to find such great value in a hotel this well-located. I’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Harbin.

Staying at Huangchaorongyan Hotel was an absolute delight! The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere—spacious, well-lit, and beautifully designed. The rooms were clean, modern, and filled with fresh air, making the whole experience feel refreshing and comfortable. Breakfast was fantastic—hot, varied, and satisfying, with plenty of options to choose from. The facilities are top-notch: everything you’d need is available, from high-speed Wi-Fi to excellent bathroom amenities. What stood out most was the cleanliness—every corner was spotless, and the air quality felt noticeably fresh. They even have a dedicated banquet hall, perfect for gatherings or events. The staff were incredibly helpful—front desk was friendly and efficient, and they offered luggage storage, which made my trip so much smoother. Located near Harbin Sports Institute and the International Convention and Exhibition Center, it’s super convenient for both business and leisure travelers. A truly great stay, and I’ll definitely be back!

We originally booked Friendship Palace for our trip to Harbin during the May Day holiday, but due to the strong smell from recent renovations, we had to switch last minute—luckily, only one room was left at Sun Island Hotel. What a lucky coincidence! The hotel is actually located within a large, serene park, offering a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere. The rooms are quiet, with clean air and excellent sound insulation—perfect for a good night’s sleep. Best of all, it's just a short walk to Sun Island Scenic Area and Polar Park, so we didn’t need to rely on transportation. Everything was convenient, well-maintained, and beautifully situated. Our stay exceeded expectations—this place truly delivers comfort, location, and value. I’d definitely come back.

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this hotel is—better than I expected. The room was spotlessly clean, cozy, and well-maintained. It's located just a short walk from the shopping district, so I didn’t need to take a ride for dinner or shopping—everything was right at my doorstep. The nearby subway station makes getting to Harbin Medical University First Affiliated Hospital or Qiu Lin Company super convenient. The area feels safe and quiet, even in the evening. With excellent value and a great location, I’d definitely stay here again if I return to Harbin. Highly recommend!

Staying at Home Inn Harbin China Baroque Antarctic Street was an absolute delight! The room was spotless and well-maintained, with a clean and welcoming atmosphere. The staff, especially the owner and front desk team, were incredibly friendly and helpful. We booked two different rooms, but they kindly arranged them to be adjacent—no need to switch rooms at all, which made our stay much more convenient. Even better, they gave us a little gift when we checked out—though I forgot to take a photo, it was such a sweet touch! The location is excellent, just steps away from the subway station, making it super easy to explore downtown Harbin. With its great cleanliness, warm service, and unbeatable value, this place is definitely on my list for future visits.
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