by 
Plan your Harbin tour in winter? Winter swimming in Harbin is a sport with typical Harbin cultural characteristics. The sport started in 1980s. It was said that a Mr.Yu accidentally fell into the iced Songhuajiang River when he walked on the iced surface in 1982.
He swam to the bank disregard of the extreme cold. Not feared, he felt recharged and excited after swimming in the cold water. Later he contacted over a dozen of winter swimming enthusiasts to swim in Songhuajiang River, thus starting a page of winter swimming in Harbin.
In 1983, Harbin Winter Swimming Association was formally established. The City General Union delegated by Harbin City Government is responsible for the organization, guidance and management of winter swimming in Harbin. 40% of the winter swimmers in Harbin are now seniors and some are over the ages 70 and 80.
If you are Planning Harbin tour, definitely you won’t miss the opportunity to watch the brave men’s winter activity. Every year from late December to the mid-February, some of the winter swimming enthusiasts will put on performance at a swimming pool, a large square hole cut and dug on Songhuajiang River along the Stalin Park, now known as Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley in winter.
The winter swimming performance is put on between 10:00 to 14:00. Pay a small amount of money for a few minutes’ look at these brave people swimming in the cold water. For RMB 20, you are able to take a picture with these winter enthusiasts.
A guy wearing a short speaking through a microphone, briefing the onlookers on the winter swimming activity in Harbin.
Wearing a short speaking through a microphone,
wearing a short speaking through a microphone
Here come two female winter swimming enthusiasts
Here come two female winter swimming enthusiasts
Again here come three male enthusiast winter swimmers
Again here come three male enthusiast winter swimmers
Preparing for a jump into the pool
Preparing for a jump into the pool
Ready to jump
Ready to jump
Jump into the extremely cold water
Jump into the extremely cold water
Swimming in the cold water
Swimming in the cold water
A funny jump into the water
A funny jump into the water
Taking a picture with the backdrop of winter swimming enthusiasts
Taking a picture with the backdrop of winter swimming enthusiasts
Tip: Hassle-free Harbin Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Harbin:
Harbin China Snow Town 2 Day Tour from US$ 289p/p
Harbin Yabuli China Snow Town 4 Day Tour from US$ 579p/p
Harbin China Snow Town Private Transfer
Harbin 3 Day Winter Tour Package from US$335 p/p
Harbin 4 Day Winter Tour package from US$495 p/p
Harbin Yabuli 1 Day Round Trip from US$85 p/p
Harbin Yabuli 2 Day Round Trip from US$360 p/p
Beijing Harbin 3 Day Winter Round Trip by Bullet Train from US$460 p/p
Beijing Harbin 3 Day Winter Round Trip by Flight from US$740 p/p
Beijing Harbin 4 Day Winter Round Trip by Bullet Train from US$630 p/p
Beijing Harbin 4 Day Winter Round Trip by Flight from US$910 p/p
Further Readings
Best Time to Visit Harbin Ice Festival
Where to Stay in Harbin
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
Madieer Popsicles in Harbin
Harbin Jihua Ski Resort
China Snow Town
Scenic Drive from Harbin to China Snow Town
Sunrise Glow over China Snow Village
Night View of China Snow Village
Any questions, just drop a line.
Tags: How to Visit Harbin Winter Swimming, Where to Swim in Winter in Harbin
Do they do this winter swimming everyday or just certain days of the week between 10 and 2pm? Thanks
Hi Tracy,
As far as I know, they do it veryday as a kind of winter activity as well as a way of making small money. Visitors have to pay to enter the swimming area.