The northeast of China (Dongbei) is one of the least-visited regions among international tourists, which is part of its appeal. Harbin was shaped as much by Russian engineers and traders as by Chinese planners — the cobbled boulevards, Orthodox cathedrals, and European baroque buildings in the Daowai district are a product of the Tsarist railway concession. In winter (December–February), the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is a significant draw. Dalian has a very different character — a coastal city with beaches and good seafood. All cities are connected by HSR.

Day by day

Day 1 · harbin

Arrive Harbin, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street

Fly to Harbin (HRB). Check in near Zhongyang Dajie. Evening walk along Zhongyang Pedestrian Street — the historic Russian-style commercial street with cafés, bread shops and ice cream even in winter. The Cathedral of St Sophia is nearby.

Stay in: Daoli district, near Zhongyang Dajie — the historic area.

Day 2 · harbin

Ice and Snow World (winter) / Sun Island, Siberian Tiger Park

December–February: Ice and Snow World festival (massive illuminated ice sculptures; best visited at night). March–November: Sun Island Scenic Area (riverside parkland, gardens, waterway). Year-round option: the Siberian Tiger Park (Northeast China Tiger Park) — a conservation and breeding facility. Stalin Park riverfront walk along the Songhua River.

Day 3 · changchun

HSR to Changchun, Puppet Emperor's Palace

Morning HSR Harbin → Changchun (2h). The Puppet Emperor's Palace (Weihuanggong) — the residence and court of Puyi, the last Qing emperor, installed by Japan as head of the Manchukuo state (1932–1945). A sobering site with strong historical content.

Stay in: Changchun city.

HSR Harbin → Changchun, 2h, ¥110.

Day 4 · shenyang

HSR to Shenyang, Shenyang Imperial Palace

Morning HSR Changchun → Shenyang (1.5h). The Shenyang Imperial Palace (Mukden Palace) — the Manchu dynastic palace built before the conquest of Beijing; smaller than the Forbidden City but similarly structured, with strong Manchu and Mongolian architectural features.

Stay in: Shenyang city.

HSR Changchun → Shenyang, 1.5h, ¥80.

Day 5 · shenyang

Zhao Mausoleum (Beiling Park)

Morning at Zhao Mausoleum (Beiling) — the Northern Mausoleum, burial site of the second Qing emperor Huang Taiji. Set within a large deer park; the ceremonial avenue of stone animals leads to the burial mound. Afternoon in the local food streets of Shenyang — northeastern Chinese cuisine (dumplings, pork and cabbage dishes).

Day 6 · dalian

HSR to Dalian, coastal walk

Morning HSR Shenyang → Dalian (2h). Dalian is a port city on the Yellow Sea peninsula — relatively warm, seafood-forward, and architecturally shaped by both Russian and Japanese colonial periods. Afternoon: Xinghai Square (the world's largest public square by area) and the adjacent beach promenade.

Stay in: Dalian city centre.

HSR Shenyang → Dalian, 2h, ¥130.

Day 7 · dalian

Tiger Beach, fish market, departure

Morning at Tiger Beach Ocean Park or the Binhai Road coastal road walk (12km cliff coastal path, very scenic). Afternoon: the Dalian seafood market for fresh sea cucumber, abalone and crab. Fly DLC → Beijing or Shanghai for onward connection.

Flight DLC → PEK or PVG for onward connections.

Per person total 7 days including domestic flight to Harbin (¥500–800) and HSR between cities (approx ¥420). International flights excluded. Winter visits add cost for ice festival entry (¥330) and extra clothing.

Backpacker	¥1200
Mid-range	¥3000
Comfortable	¥7000

Northeast China — Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang and Dalian, 7 days