Harbin Tour 2nd part; 2015 Sun Island Int'l Snow Sculpture Art Expo

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Harbin Tour 1st part; Zhaolin Park and St. Sophia Cathedral

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is the largest ice and snow festival in the world. The two main exhibition areas are Sun Island's International Snow Sculpture Art Expo and Ice and Snow World.

How to go to Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo;

From Zhaolin Park, walk towards the river around 500m away until you find the cable car attached in Sun Castle passing over the river. During winter and on my visit, the river froze hard even a huge vehicle and crowd can cross on-foot which is I think three times the width of Pasig River in Metro Manila. Entrance fee is 240CNY ($40). Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted inside.

Harbin is located in Northeast China and receives cold winter wind from Siberia. The average temperature in summer is 21.2'C, and –16.8'C in winter. Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo is annually held in the Sun Island Scenic Area from January to the end of February. This event held exhibits enthralling ice or snow sculptures and architectures, attracting thousands of visitors. The expo vividly digs and demonstrates artistic, unique, participatory, humanities and affinity, informative and entertaining of snow and cultural activities to create a "big, strange, beautiful, and fine" snow landscape. 

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/heilongjiang/harbin/sun-island.htm

Harbin Tour 2nd part; 2015 International Snow Sculpture Art Expo

Harbin Tour 1st part; Zhaolin Park and St. Sophia Cathedral

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Beijing Arrival coming from Ulaanbaatar train

How to go to St. Sophia Cathedral and Zhaolin Park;
From Harbin train station exit, walk  to the left side of Exit around 1km until you see the Zhaolin Street in Daoli District. Go inside of this street and you will see first the St. Sophia Cathedral, Zhaolin Park is around 200m away. Entrance fee in St. Sophia is 20CNY while 70CNY for Zhaolin Park. Photography and video taking is permitted inside.  

Zhaolin Park is the first park in the city, built in memory of the General Li Zhaolin. Set up in 1900, it was originally named "Daoli Park" and changed to present name "Zhaolin Park" in 1946. When the night fell, the ice lanterns in the park combine light, sound and action in one, resplendent with a great variety of colors. The vivid and fanciful designs collect the beautiful scene in the world. St. Sophia Church is the largest Eastern Orthodox Church in the Far East. It is 53.3 meters (175 feet) high and occupies an area of 721 square meters (0.18 acres). In November, 1996, it was listed as one of the Key Cultural Relics under State Protection. 

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/heilongjiang/harbin/

Harbin Tour 1st part; Zhaolin Park and St. Sophia Cathedral

How to Apply for China (L) Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

an adventure of Pinoy backpacker in processing travel documents

No visa is required for foreigners who hold tickets to  final destination and have booked seats on international airlines, transiting directly through China, and will stay for less than 24 hours and do not leave the specified transit area (Transit WithOut Visa).
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294211-c188665/China:Visa.Free.Transits.html; http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/transit.htm

general info:
* L Visa is issued to a person who comes to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives, or private matters
* 3 months validity after issuance with 30 days maximum period of stay
* Filipinos are not eligible to apply for 72-hour transit visa

APPLYING FOR CHINA VISA AS ORDINARY CITIZEN IN THE PHILIPPINES 
http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/lsfw/hzqz/t171818.htm

requirements:

1. Applicant's passport with blank pages and at least 6 months validity left before expiration.
2. A truly and completely filled application form affixed with one passport-size or 2x2 colored photo, with white background, full-face front view, and no hat.  Photo must be glued on the application form. Stapled pictures will not be accepted. Scanned photos will also not be accepted.
3. Invitation letter with a copy of the inviter's valid Chinese residence visa and passport information page of inviter's or Chinese national identity card.

4.  Previously used China visa in old or new passport (Only visa stickers will be accepted.  Those with stamped visas must submit additional documents for first time China visa applicants. Please refer to the list below.)

5.   For first time applicants to China (Philippine passport holders, 18 years old and above), they are required to provide the following:                      
              a) Original NBI clearance valid for travel abroad
              b)  Original bank certificate with receipt or original passbook, updated within the month that you are applying or....
                         - If a company will sponsor the trip, provide the company's bank certificate, sponsorship letter from the company and the company's business registration.
                     - If an individual will sponsor the trip, provide his bank certificate, sponsorship and invitation letter, copy of sponsor's valid residence visa and passport information page or Chinese national ID.
             c) For employed persons, include employment certificate; company ID, SSS ID and contributions, TIN ID and latest ITR
             d)  Personal appearance is required for those who are 16-21 years old.
6.  The emergency contact information page in the applicant's passport should be filled out and photocopied.
7. Other documents required by the visa officers if necessary. 

Chinese L Tourist Visa 2012 for single entry

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

Harbin - Zhangjiajie - Beijing winter countryside best via overnight regional trains
February 20 to 26, 2015

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." - Lao Tzu

My 2nd visit to Mainland China (1st visit was last January 2013), my 41st solo backpacking trip, 42 countries visited so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. This trip is the 2nd part of the Northeastern Asian winter adventure with Mongolia.

China, officially known as the People's Republic of China is a huge country in Eastern Asia (about the same size as the United States of America) with the world's largest population. China had the largest and most complex economy in the world for most of the past two thousand years. Since the introduction of economic reforms in 1978, China has become one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. As of 2013, it is the world's second-largest economy by both nominal total GDP and purchasing power parity (PPP), and is also the world's largest exporter and importer of goods. China is a recognized nuclear weapons state and has the world's largest standing army, with the second-largest defence budget. China is a regional power within Asia and has been characterized as a potential superpower by a number of commentators.

http://wikitravel.org/en/China

6 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China (Yuanjiajie in Zhangjiajie National Park)

Crossborder Train Ride from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Beijing, China

4 Days Self-guided Solo Trip in Winter Mongolia

February 16 to February 19, 2015

Ulaanbaatar City Tour last Part; going to Central Area

I did not booked in advance because I doubt the online booking process plus the fact that winter season is off-peak, seat/sleeper slot is not a problem. Even though I know this will be one of the requirements in Ulaanbaatar Airport immigration, I will just tell them that I will be buying my ticket immediately.

Transmongolia train is probably the best way to experience something of the communist time, even if it has evolved a bit since then. The railway network is poor, consisting mainly in the Irkutsk-Beijing trans-mongolian way with a few extensions. The rolling stock consist of 30–40 years old Soviet cars. Trains are extremely slow. They usually leave on time, and arrive on time or less than 20 min late. Mongolian trains are cheap, even in comparison with Russian and Chinese trains. You pay an extra fee if you book in advance, no extra charge if bought in train ticket office. Passport is required to buy a ticket.

I bought my ticket immediately upon arrival coming from Ulaanbaatar airport. Train ticket office is just infront of Ulaanbaatar train station, office hours of 0900-1700 daily. Departed exactly on time. I availed the 2nd class sleeper type, 4 pax per cabin, room temp around 28'C. With outlet rounded plug, television, reading light, blanket, pillow, bedsheets, coffee and tea. No food selling, pack snacks is a must. We arrived in the Mongolia border at 1850H per schedule. Roaming Immigration Officer requested to hand-over passport, I just stayed inside the train cabin. Around 2030H, we left the border.

Travel time is 28.5 hours for train #24 during winter season with the following timings;

FEBRUARY 19 THURSDAY (2015 LUNAR NEW YEAR)

0715H ETD ULAANBAATAR TRAIN STATION (UTC +0800H)

1850H ETA MONGOLIA BORDER

2100H ETA CHINA BORDER

FEBRUARY 20 FRIDAY

0930H BRUNCH SOLD INSIDE TRAIN

1145H ETA BEIJING RAILWAY STATION (UTC +0800H)  
 

To know more about the updated Mongolia local and international train schedule and fares...

https://eticket.ubtz.mn/en/user_us.php 

Crossborder Train Ride from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Beijing, China (Soviet cars)

Ulaanbaatar City Tour last Part; going to Central Area

4 Days Self-guided Solo Trip in Winter Mongolia

February 16 to February 19, 2015

Ulaanbaatar City Tour 1st Part; walk to Southern Mountains

Going back to Peace Avenue, from Gandantegechinlen Monastery (free admission) to Sukhbaatar Square where the famous Genghis Khan Monument is erected (open park). The coldest capital city in the world is not in Canada or in Northern Europe but in Mongolia; it's Ulaan-baatar, with an average annual chilly temperature of -1.3°C.

Genghis Khan, born Temüjin, was the founder and Great Khan (emperor) of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his demise. Between 1206 and his death in 1227, the Mongol leader Genghis Khan conquered nearly 12 million square miles of territory—more than any individual in history. Along the way, he cut a ruthless path through Asia and Europe that left untold millions dead, but he also modernized Mongolian culture, embraced religious freedom and helped open contact between East and West. 

Chinggis Square, formally Grand Chinggis Khaan Square, and previously known as Sükhbaatar Square, is the central square of Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar. The official name was changed in 2013 in honor of the founding father of the Mongolian nation. A large colonnade monument to Genghis Khan, as well as to Ögedei Khan, and Kublai Khan dominates the square's north side directly in front of the Saaral Ordon (Government Palace). The center of the square features an equestrian statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, one of the leaders of Mongolia's 1921 revolution. The Gandantegchinlen Monastery is a Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator that has been restored and revitalized since 1990. The name translates to the "Great Place of Complete Joy". It currently has over 150 monks. It features a 26.5-meter-high statue of Avalokiteśvara.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCkhbaatar_Square

Ulaanbaatar City Tour last Part; going to Central Area (Genghis Khan Monument at night)

Ulaanbaatar City Tour 1st Part; walk to Southern Mountains

4 Days Self-guided Solo Trip in Winter Mongolia

February 16 to February 19, 2015

Terelj National Park day tour last part; Turtle Rock back to Ulaanbaatar

I woke-up early and started to walk down south to have my usual map-guided hiking adventure, free map available in the hostel. From Peace Avenue, going to Big Ring then Lenin Avenue. From Winter Palace of Bogd Khan (close at this day due to Lunar New Year), going to Buddha Park (open park free admission), to Zaisan Memorial (open park no free admission) all the way to Bogd Khan front mountains.

Winter Palace of Bogd Khan is located in southern Ulan Bator, on the road to Zaisan is now a museum. The palace is the only one left from originally four residences of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, who was later proclaimed Bogd Khan, or emperor of Mongolia. Buddha Park is found easily on the way to Zaisan Hill because of an image of a huge Buddha statue. The peaceful temple-like environment and clean fresh air are the best reasons for visiting this park. Buddha Park offers a tranquil place to relax the mind and body and deserves a visit whenever you are in the south end of the city – whether to sip some coffee or to catch some good karma vibes. Bogd Khan Mountain is a mountain in Mongolia that overlooks the nation's capital, from a height of 3000 feet (914m) above and to the south of the city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Palace_of_the_Bogd_Khan 

Zaisan Memorial is the first memorial monument, honored Soviet soldiers who protected independence of Mongolian people from foreign surrenders erected in 1956 on Zaisan Hill. This is the most impressive memorial complex in the 2nd half of the 20th century. There is staircase with 612 steps to the top which is 300 meters.

Ulaanbaatar City Tour 1st Part; walk to Southern Mountains (Bogd Khan Uul)

Terelj National Park Day Tour last Part; Turtle Rock back to Ulaanbaatar

4 Days Self-guided Solo Trip in Winter Mongolia

February 16 to February 19, 2015

Terelj National Park day tour 1st part; from Ulaanbaatar to Genghis Khan Complex

After lunch, continuing our journey to the Turtle Rock and Meditation Temple inside the Terelj National Park. No entrance fee and since winter season is off-peak, most of the establishments is close along the way.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is one of the national parks of Mongolia. The Terelj tourist zone has a number of "tourist camps". It is connected with Ulan Bator by a paved road (main road to the East #A0501 Baganuur-Öndörkhaan direction, 37 km from Ulan Bator city center, left turn to the branch #A24, 5 km later road crosses Tuul River and the National park territory begins). The Terelj settlement is located in the valley of the Terelj River (Terelj Gol), approximately 66 km from the Ulaanbaatar city center. The national park tourist zone is formally in Nalaikh düüreg (district) part of Ulaanbaatar municipality, the rest of the protected zone beginning to the north of the Terelj River, is located in Mongolia's Töv Province (Töv aimag). The park has many rock formations for rock climbers, and includes two famous formations named for things they resemble: Turtle Rock (Mongolian: Melkhii Khad) and the Old Man Reading a Book (Praying Lama Rock).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorkhi-Terelj_National_Park

Terelj National Park Day Tour last Part; Turtle Rock back to Ulaanbaatar (turtle rock)

Terelj National Park Day Tour 1st Part; from Ulaanbaatar to Genghis Khan Complex

4 Days Self-guided Solo Trip in Winter Mongolia

February 16 to February 19, 2015

Ulaanbaatar International Airport Arrival in the Afternoon

I booked this Mongolia private day tour on where I reserved my stay for 3 nights, Danista Nomads Hostel. The owner gave a fixed price of $70 (135,000MNT) that includes the following;

Ulaanbaatar - CHINGGIS STATE MONUMENT –TERELJ NATIONAL PARK - Ulaanbaatar
- private car with driver/guide
- 0900H Hostel departure, 1700H Hostel arrival
- Drive to Chinggis State Monument /65km/
- Short drive to Terelj National Park /40km/
- Lunch in local restaurant in National Park area
- Visit to Turtle rock /5km/ then to Meditation Temple /3 km/
- Drive back Ulaanbaatar /60km/

Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue
Part of the Genghis Khan Statue Complex is a 40 metre (131 ft 3 in) tall statue of Genghis Khan on horseback. The world's largest statue of a rider on a horse erected in Mongolia showing Chinggis Khaan (1162-1227) with a golden whip in his right hand gazing into the distance, has been erected at the Tsonjin Boldog site connected to many historic events in the territory of Erdene soum in Tov aimag, 54 km from Ulaanbaatar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genghis_Khan_Equestrian_Statue

There's a Mongolian National Costume for rent inside the base of Genghis Khan Statue. The cost is 3,000MNT ($1.5) only per attire set, photography is free for your camera. Cheap souvenirs also available beside the costume rental.

Terelj National Park Day Tour 1st Part; from Ulaanbaatar to Genghis Khan Complex