EZYMANDARIN
Colorful ice architecture illuminated at Harbin Ice and Snow World

Winter Chinese Language Study Program · Harbin Institute of Technology

Four weeks north of ordinary.

Four weeks of Mandarin at Harbin Institute of Technology in China’s Ice City — 80 class hours from beginner to advanced, with mornings of Chinese and evenings of ice architecture.

28 Dec 2026 – 22 Jan 202780 class hoursBeginner to advanced

The winter threshold

45°45′N · Harbin

On-site · Dec 26, 2026—Jan 23, 2027

Your winter, at a glance

4 weeks in Harbin

80 class hours

Beginner to advanced

A C9 University

Dates & fees

Some winters are worth going further for.

This is Harbin: a city that turns the cold into something extraordinary. Come for the Chinese. Find a winter you’ll be talking about long after the snow melts.

哈尔滨 · Hā’ěrbīn — the Ice City

Visitors exploring towering, brightly illuminated ice castles at Harbin Ice and Snow World

On your Study Program itinerary

Yes, it’s made of ice.

Ice and Snow World. A whole city of frozen imagination, lit up against the winter night.

The domes and red-brick towers of Saint Sophia Cathedral

A different kind of skyline.

Snow-dusted domes and storybook streets around Saint Sophia Cathedral.

For your free-time list

Harbin’s frozen Songhua River in winter

Take the scenic way.

A riverside wander. A detour down Zhongyang Street. Another reason to try your Chinese.

Explore at your own pace

Six Exploration. Onefrozen city.

Harbin perches at the far edge of China’s map: the most northeastern provincial capital in the country, a major railway hub where you’ll hear some of the most standard Mandarin in China, and a city that answers to two names — the “Ice City” and “Oriental Paris.”

Chart of Harbin for the winter expeditionA night chart of Harbin drawn in gold and ice ink. The Songhua River crosses the north, the railway runs southwest to northeast, and dotted routes link Harbin Institute of Technology, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Zhongyang Street, the frozen river, Ice and Snow World on the north bank, and Volga Manor out by the Ashi River.Sun Island · 太阳岛Songhua River松花江Harbin terminusthe iron road · 中东铁路Zhongyang Street中央大街St Sophia圣索菲亚教堂Harbin Engineering University哈尔滨工程大学the university quarterBASE CAMPHarbin Institute of Technology哈尔滨工业大学the ice frontierIce & Snow World冰雪大世界Volga Manor伏尔加庄园the Ashi valleythe river sleeps beneath the ice126°33′E126°37′E126°40′E126°44′E45°47′N45°45′N45°43′N45°41′NNTHE ICE CITY哈尔滨 · HARBINSurveyed for the winter expedition45°45′N · 126°38′E · MMXXVI0½1 li
The main building of Harbin Institute of Technology

PL. I — Base camp · HIT哈工大

a C9 university, est. 1920

Saint Sophia Cathedral with its domes and brick facade in Harbin

PL. II — St Sophia Cathedral圣索菲亚教堂

the domed landmark since 1907

Zhongyang Street pedestrians and European-style facades in Harbin

PL. III — Zhongyang Street中央大街

cobblestones & early-1900s facades

The frozen surface of the Songhua River in winter

PL. IV — Songhua River松花江

a public ice floor all winter

Illuminated ice buildings at the Harbin Ice and Snow World park

PL. V — Ice & Snow World冰雪大世界

ice architecture, lit after dark

The wooden Saint Nicholas Cathedral replica glowing in the snow at Volga Manor, Harbin

PL. VI — Volga Manor伏尔加庄园

Russian arcadia on the Ashi River

Plates of the chart

gold = base camp & on the itinerary · ice = your own time

  1. I

    Base camp · HIT哈工大

    a C9 university, est. 1920

    Base camp
  2. II

    St Sophia Cathedral圣索菲亚教堂

    the domed landmark since 1907

    Free time
  3. III

    Zhongyang Street中央大街

    cobblestones & early-1900s facades

    Free time
  4. IV

    Songhua River松花江

    a public ice floor all winter

    Free time
  5. V

    Ice & Snow World冰雪大世界

    ice architecture, lit after dark

    Itinerary
  6. VI

    Volga Manor伏尔加庄园

    Russian arcadia on the Ashi River

    Itinerary

An illustrated guide, not a to-scale map. Ice and Snow World and Volga Manor are on the Study Program itinerary; Saint Sophia Cathedral, Zhongyang Street and the Songhua River are free-time suggestions.

Your classroom.
And everything
beyond it.

Study at Harbin Institute of Technology, a member of China’s C9 University alliance. Then take your Mandarin out into a city known for its standard spoken Chinese.

The snow-covered entrance to Harbin Institute of Technology
Your home for four very different weeks.

80 class hours. Real conversations.
Room to start where you are.

20 class hours a week, with vocabulary, grammar, oral practice, traditional culture and practical language activities. Your placement test helps find your fit across three levels and 6–7 teaching tiers.

Beginner

Start with everyday expressions. Build clearer pronunciation and the confidence to say that first sentence.

Intermediate

Find more ways to say what you mean. Grow your vocabulary and practical communication skills.

Advanced

Go deeper in discussion. Explore complex topics and strengthen cross-cultural communication.

Start an Application

Four weeks.
So many firsts.

A little structure. A lot to discover. Here’s how your winter unfolds, from your first hello to graduation day.

Arrive & check in
26–27 Dec 2026
Study Program
28 Dec 2026 – 22 Jan 2027
Return
23 Jan 2027

The agenda may shift with venue reservations. Overall class hours and activity arrangements will be maintained.

Week 126 Dec – 2 Jan

Find your feet. Meet your people.

Settle into Harbin, find your Chinese level and welcome a new year in a new city.

26–27 Dec
Dormitory check-in
28 Dec
Registration and oral placement test
29 Dec
Orientation and class icebreakers
30 Dec
Chinese class and traditional culture experience
31 Dec
Chinese class, HIT Museum and Space Museum
1–2 Jan
New Year holiday
Week 23 – 9 Jan

Chinese by day. Ice castles after.

Put your new words to work, then see Harbin’s extraordinary Ice and Snow World.

3 Jan
New Year holiday
4 Jan
Chinese class and traditional culture experience
5 Jan
Chinese class and practical language activity
6 Jan
Chinese class and elective specialized lecture
7 Jan
Chinese class and Ice and Snow World visit
8 Jan
Chinese class and practical language activity
9 Jan
Weekend holiday
Week 310 – 16 Jan

A little less textbook. A lot more you.

Build confidence through everyday conversations, culture and a closer look at China.

10 Jan
Weekend holiday
11 Jan
Chinese class and traditional culture experience
12 Jan
Chinese class and practical language activity
13 Jan
Chinese class; afternoon break
14 Jan
Chinese class and China overview lecture
15 Jan
Chinese class and practical language activity
16 Jan
Day trip to Volga Manor
Week 417 – 23 Jan

Take home more than photographs.

An enterprise visit, your final test and graduation bring your month in Harbin together.

17 Jan
Weekend holiday
18 Jan
Chinese class; afternoon break
19 Jan
Chinese class and enterprise visit
20 Jan
Chinese class; afternoon break
21 Jan
Final test
22 Jan
Graduation day
23 Jan
Return

Four weeks in Harbin.
From RMB 8,500.

Learn Mandarin, explore the Ice & Snow Festival, and settle into your winter home. Choose a shared or private dorm, with 80 hours of Mandarin, a China visa, and a day trip to Volga Manor included.

Shared dorm

2 people · 1 room

Share a room with one other participant and keep your winter more affordable.

Original price: RMB 10,000Save RMB 1,500

RMBEarly-bird price: 8,500

per person · four-week Study Program

Early bird · first 10 participants

Start an Application

Private dorm

1 person · 1 room

Enjoy a room to yourself and your own space to unwind after class.

Original price: RMB 11,000Save RMB 2,000

RMBEarly-bird price: 9,000

per person · four-week Study Program

Early bird · first 10 participants

Start an Application

Included in both options

  • Dorm accommodation
  • China visa
  • 80 hours of Mandarin
  • Ice & Snow Festival
  • Day trip to Volga Manor
  • Dorm internet
  • Insurance
  • Books

Budget separately

Not included in either option.

  • Meals
  • Dorm amenities
  • Flights
  • Transportation
  • SIM card
Shared dorm room with two beds, desks, shelving, and a window
Inside the shared dorm · 2 people per room
Dorm bathroom with a shower, sink, toilet, and washing machine
A look inside the dorm bathroom

A note on your winter home

On-campus dormitories are for full four-week students. Rooms are allocated by payment completion, first-come, first-served until full. If you don’t secure a room, you’ll need to arrange your own off-campus accommodation.

What to prepare before applying

They started exactly where you are

Every graduate was once comparing programs, checking the fine print, wondering if China was really possible. The ledger so far:

Real words from real graduates — published with their consent.

showing 03 of 11 stories · video 10 · yours +1

2026-06-15

Study Chinese 越来越好

Aku belajar di SCNU mulai dari Nol "0"... Cuma ngerti 你好 😆😆。。。 Belajar langsung di Negaranya memang beda sama belajar di Indo...

Anisah .

Indonesia · One Year Language Course 2025

would recommend
2026-06-09

An Unforgettable Learning Experience in Guangzhou

Haloo guyss, pengalaman belajar mandarin langsung di Guangzhou JUJUR, sangat menyenangkan dan unexpected. Seperti kata pepatah “Carilah Ilmu Sampai Ke Negeri China”Awalnya aku tidak bisa sama sekali mandarin, bener2 dari nol modal berani berangkat ke China, pas belajar butuh penyesuaian mulai dari lingkungan, teman, cuaca dan makanan. cuman gak perlu takut laoshi nya baik baik semuaa. lingkungan nya sangat mendukung buat belajar, pusing tempat healing banyak hehe, aku sih seringnya main bulu tangkis yaa. Aku sangat sangat merekomendasikan teman2 yang mau belajar mandarin disini, ini adalah a once-in-a-lifetime experience that changed my life mungkin bisa juga untuk your lifee wkwk

Fathoni Rahman

Indonesia · Intensive Language Course 2026

would recommend
2026-05-10

A truly great experience, highly recommended!

I had an amazing experience with this program. The campus environment is incredibly comfortable, it’s truly the perfect place to focus on learning and developing my skills. A huge shoutout to my agent! They were support was outstanding from day one. They were super fast to respond and provide clear answer to all my questions. They helped me with everything, from the initial registration and finding the right accommodation to even recommending great halal food spots near the campus and my apartment. They were not only professional but also so friendly and fun to talk to. No way i could’ve done this smoothly without them. Thank you so much Ezymandarin!!! ❤️

Della Luysky Selian

Indonesia · Half Year Language Course 2026

would recommend

Video stories

tap any film · plays right here

下一课 · your turn

The next story is yours

Start an Application today and write it from Harbin — we guide you through every Workflow Step.

Start an Application

Before you
pack your scarf.

The practical things, answered. So you can get back to imagining the adventure.

Can I join if I’m a complete beginner?

Yes. The Study Program offers beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, subdivided into 6–7 teaching tiers. Registration and an oral placement test on 28 December help place you at the right level.

When do I need to be in Harbin?

Plan for dormitory check-in on 26–27 December 2026. The Study Program runs from 28 December 2026 to 22 January 2027, with return scheduled for 23 January. Confirm your admission and accommodation before booking travel.

Is a dormitory room guaranteed?

No. On-campus dormitories are reserved for students taking the full four-week Study Program. Rooms are allocated first-come, first-served based on payment completion, until capacity is reached. If you do not secure a room, you must arrange your own off-campus accommodation.

What does the price include?

Both room options include dorm accommodation, a China visa, 80 hours of Mandarin, the Ice & Snow Festival, a day trip to Volga Manor, dorm internet, insurance, and books. Budget separately for meals, dorm amenities, flights, transportation, and a SIM card. Early-bird prices are RMB 8,500 per person for a shared dorm and RMB 9,200 per person for a private dorm, for the first 10 participants in each room option.

What documents do I need?

Prepare your passport information page and a Guarantee Certificate if you are a minor. Apply by 30 November 2026. You’ll receive payment instructions and any further document requirements during your Application.

Are all the places pictured part of the itinerary?

The Ice & Snow Festival and a day trip to Volga Manor are included in your package. HIT Museum, Space Museum and an enterprise visit also appear in the University’s agenda. Saint Sophia Cathedral, Zhongyang Street and the Songhua River are ideas for your free time, not promised organized visits. Venue reservations may change the schedule while overall class hours and activity arrangements are maintained.

How do I start my Application?

Use “Start an Application” to open the Ezy Mandarin portal, sign in or create an account, and select the Harbin winter Study Program. The University also lists its direct application website at apply.hit.edu.cn.

Next winter could be quite a story.

Make Harbin part of yours. Start an Application for the 2026–2027 winter Study Program.

Start an Application

Application deadline: 30 November 2026

Your get-started checklist

  • Passport information page
  • Guarantee Certificate (minors only)
  • Follow the payment instructions in your Application
Participants holding up their completion certificates at a Harbin Institute of Technology ceremony
Graduation day · certificates in hand