Harbin, China – In the depths of winter, Harbin welcomes visitors with open arms, albeit into temperatures plummeting to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit). The first stop for many is often a vendor selling insulated clothing, vital for exploring this ice-bound city.
Surprisingly, indulging in frozen treats like ice cream bars is also a quintessential Harbin experience.
Each year, this northeastern Chinese metropolis transforms into a winter wonderland, drawing tourists eager to brave the extreme cold and marvel at ice sculptures carved from the frozen Songhua River, which typically remains frozen from late October to late March.
Jin Yiting, visiting from Shanghai with her parents, said, "I consulted online guides and came prepared with thermal pants and my warmest sweater," noting that a light jacket usually suffices in Shanghai's milder winter.
Jin Yanlong, a vendor of winter accessories, observes that many tourists, especially those from southern China, underestimate Harbin's frigid conditions. "Some arrive straight from the airport in very light clothing and immediately seek out cotton-padded trousers from us," he explains.
Despite the biting cold, adventurous tourists like Zhuang Chang find joy in tasting the chill with Madie'er ice cream bars. As they strolled along a commercial street showcasing the city's Russian architectural influences, Zhuang remarked, "It's cold, but my heart is warm." He contrasted Harbin's dry cold with the damp chill of his hometown in Zhejiang province, where "the wind makes you feel frozen to the bone." "Here, only my face and hands feel the cold," Zhuang added.
For those seeking warmth, hot beverages and steaming hot pot are readily available. This hearty stew combines meats, vegetables, tofu, and other ingredients to combat the cold.
Chi Xuewen, a local restaurateur, boasts the world's largest hot pot, featuring 18 individual flavor options surrounding the massive central bowl. "Enjoying hot pot instantly warms you up," Chi declared.
Li Long's restaurant provides a dual solution, utilizing wood for both cooking and heating the air within his ice-block structure. "The pot radiates heat," Li explained. "The sight of the steaming food when the lid is lifted creates an instant feeling of warmth."
The persistent cold has impacted local diets, leading to a reliance on frozen foods due to the scarcity of fresh vegetables. According to local resident Liu Xiaohui, frozen tofu left outdoors overnight develops a porous texture that excels at absorbing soups and flavors.