Harbin Winter Swimming (Tips, Photos & Map)

When originally the Winter Swimming started Harbin?

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 Songhua 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 Songhua 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.

Where to See the Winter Swimming Show in Harbin?

If you are planning Harbin tour, definitely you won’t miss the opportunity to watch the brave men’s winter performance. Every year from late December to the mid-February, some of the winter swimming enthusiasts will put on performance at a swimming pool, which is actually a large square ice hole cut and dug on Songhua River along the Stalin Park.

Entrance Tickets for Watching the Winter Swimming Show

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.

Virtual Tour of Harbin Winter Swimming

A guy wearing a short speaking through a microphone, briefing the onlookers on the winter swimming activity in Harbin.

The organizer wears a short and speaks through a microphone, making a brief introduction about the winter swimming activity in Harbin,

Here come two female winter swimming enthusiasts

Again here come three male enthusiast winter swimmers

Posed for a stereotyped photo.

Preparing for a jump into the pool

Ready to jump

Jump into the extremely cold water

Swimming in the cold water

A funny jump into the water

Taking a picture with winter swimming enthusiasts

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