Travel Tips for Snow Village in Harbin

  For the second year running, the Snow Village, on a wintry ?le Sainte-Hélène, proposes incredible facilities made entirely of ice. With its breathtaking décor sculpted by none other than specialists from the city of Harbin (China), renowned for its annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, it promises to be spectacular.

 
Travel Tips:
Hotels with excellent facilities are available in China's Snow Town. Tourists can also choose the family hotels to have an overnight stay at their Kangtou (brick bed warmed by a fire underneath in Northern China).

In China's Snow Town (Xuexiang), we arrange our tourists hike through the villages and forest, or drive the snowmobiles or take the horse/dog pulled sleds to the beautiful Yangcaoshan Mountain to view the beautiful sunrise, take pics, visit the local families and ski there.
The northern Chinese cuisines are very delicious and special. Here tourists can enjoy the food at the local farmers' homes or hotels.

The history of the roast duck can be traced back to as early as the Yuan Dynasty

  The history of the roast duck can be traced back to as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) when it was listed among the imperial dishes. During the Qianlong period (1736-1796) of the Qing Dynasty, roast duck was a favorite delicacy of the upper classes. Over a long period of development, a consummate and precise procedure for cooking Peking Roast Duck has been firmly established. Tourist like it in China Tours.

  Over a long period of development exceeding some 140 years, a consummate and precise procedure for cooking Beijing Roast Duck has been firmly established:
First, a suitable White Beijing Duck will be chosen for preparation. After the bird has been plucked, air is pumped between its skin and flesh. A small incision is made for the removal of the entrails.
Secondly, and once the bird has been thoroughly cleaned, a wooden skewer is inserted through it to facilitate its hanging and ultimate heating; the body cavity is filled with water and the incision that had been made is closed.
Thirdly, the skin of the duck is air dried and brushed with a layer of sugar.
Fourthly, the duck is then put into a large oven, using a smokeless hardwood fuel and heating to about 270 degrees Centigrade for 30 to 40 minutes. The duck is turned frequently during the roasting process to ensure even cooking.
Then the delicious roast duck is ready! It will be a shining date-red in color and unique in flavor; Beijing Roast Duck is characterized by its crispy skin and tender texture. Besides the traditional roast duck, many restaurants offer an All Duck Banquet - various dishes cooked with the offal and juices of the duck, surrounding the main dish. It will be sure to give you satisfaction and enjoyment when dining.

The biggest attraction on Lantern Festival is the sea of lanterns in every conceivable size and shape

  The Lantern Festival, also called Yuan Xiao Jie, was celebrated at the fifteen day of the first lunar month. It marks the end of New Year's celebrations, also the first time to see a full moon of that year in Lunar Calendar.

  Of course, for Lantern Festival, the displaying of lanterns is a major event at night. In the moonlight, lanterns with various colors, shapes, and sizes are hung in the streets. People walk at a leisurely pace, and appreciate the creativity of diverse lanterns. Children carry self-made or bought paper lanterns, and have fun with their family. “Guessing lantern riddles” is an essential part for lantern watching. The puzzles or riddles were written on a piece of paper and posted on the lanterns. If one can solve that puzzles, a little gift would be given.
  The biggest attraction on Lantern Festival is the sea of lanterns in every conceivable size and shape. Chinese started to celebrate the Lantern Festival since the Han Dynasty (206BC-221AD), and then it became popular during the Tang and Song dynasties. This is a festival for people to have fun. On the night, people go to streets with a variety of lanterns under the full moon, watching Lion or Dragon Dance, playing Chinese riddles and games, enjoying the typical food called Yuan Xiao and setting off firecrackers. There is really a lot of fun for the young and the old.

  Besides entertainment and beautiful lanterns, another important part of the Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Festival is eating small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour. We call these balls Yuan Xiao or Tang Yuan. Obviously, they get the name from the festival itself. Made of sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing and round in shape, it symbolizes family unity, completeness and happiness.

Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival

Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival, held on the full moon 15 days after the new year - a time when people hang glowing lanterns in the windows of their houses and dancers carry dragons made of paper, silk and bamboo through the streets collecting money.

  Traditions include an annual reunion dinner for families on new year's eve and the decorating of doors and windows with intricate red paper designs. People thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away any ill-fortunes and children are given money inside red paper envelopes. More information about Chinese New Year in China Tour chinatourguide.com.
  Maybe one has heard of the horrific Spring Festival Rush in China, referred to as the largest annual human migration in the world. During the period around Chinese New Year, everyone struggles to return to their respective hometowns to reunite with their families. It is a time when the whole country faces extremely high traffic load and terrible travel condition. There are also shortages of air, train and bus tickets. To some extent, the Spring Festival is not only a festival, but also a challenge for tourists coming to China.  It is thus best to avoid coming to China during this period.