About Us

Hi, I’m Chloe — a medical professional, a traveler at heart, and someone who believes in finding joy wherever life takes her. Right now, life has brought me to Harbin, a city of snowflakes, spires, and surprising warmth — not just from the heaters, but from the people, the food, and the quiet comfort of northern life.

I’m currently working in the medical field here in Harbin, serving as part of a hospital team that’s as committed to healing as it is to human connection. My days can be intense — filled with patients, problem-solving, and the ever-present responsibility of care. But outside the hospital walls, I make it a point to live fully, to explore widely, and to appreciate the beautiful balance between my work and the world around me.

Why Harbin? Why Not.

When I first arrived in Harbin, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Known as China’s “Ice City,” I imagined cold — and yes, there’s plenty of that — but what I discovered was a place that’s so much more than its winters. The city has a fairytale charm to it. Russian architecture lines the streets, domes and pastel-colored buildings rise against the snow, and the air is filled with the scent of roasted sweet potatoes and candied hawthorn.

I quickly grew fond of the rhythm of life here. People are hearty, straightforward, and quietly kind. There’s a sense of calm even in the bustle, a groundedness that suits my personality well. I love waking up early, wrapping myself in layers, and walking to the local bakery where they know my usual order. In spring and summer, I ride my bike through tree-lined boulevards. In winter, I take slow walks along the frozen Songhua River, bundled in scarves and surrounded by snow sculptures that look like dreams carved from ice.

A Life Between Care and Curiosity

My career in medicine is deeply important to me. I’ve always wanted to work in a field where I could make a difference — where science meets compassion, and where I could help people feel safe and seen. But I also believe in caring for myself, and part of that care is giving space to my love for travel.

Every weekend or holiday I get, I try to go somewhere — even if it’s just a short trip around Heilongjiang Province. The natural scenery here is breathtaking and wildly underrated. I love heading out to Wudalianchi, a volcanic region with striking lakes and hiking trails that feel worlds away from the city. In the fall, I often visit Jingpo Lake, where the golden trees reflect in the calm water and the air smells like pine and earth. It’s incredibly peaceful, and for someone like me — who spends her weekdays in fluorescent-lit hospital rooms — it’s pure therapy.

And of course, winter here is a season all its own. I never imagined I’d love subzero temperatures, but now I count down the days to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, when the city lights up with stunning sculptures and shimmering ice palaces. I feel like a child again, wandering through frozen castles, sipping hot milk tea from a street stall, my cheeks pink from the cold.

Travel from a Woman’s Point of View

As a woman traveling solo much of the time, I’m very mindful — not fearful, just aware. I plan carefully, trust my intuition, and value places that make me feel both free and safe. Harbin has been just that — welcoming and secure, even when I’m out exploring on my own.

There’s something empowering about being a woman who travels, especially when you do it often and on your own terms. I think we bring a unique sensitivity to the journey. I notice the textures of a place — how grandmothers arrange dumplings in a roadside stall, the softness of silence in a snow-covered forest, the way someone hands you a cup of tea with both hands, as a gesture of respect.

My feminine perspective doesn’t make travel smaller — it makes it deeper. I don’t chase every landmark or rush through cities; I linger. I let places speak to me slowly. I write about what I feel as much as what I see. And that, I think, is just as valuable as the most carefully planned itinerary.

Balancing Work, Wonder, and Well-Being

Being in healthcare, I’ve learned just how important it is to balance ambition with restoration. Travel is how I restore myself. Whether I’m visiting Yabuli Ski Resort with friends in winter, strolling through Volga Manor in spring, or exploring the Russian-style town of Suifenhe during a long weekend, I try to carve out space for myself — space to breathe, to reflect, and to simply enjoy being alive.

Harbin has taught me that joy doesn’t always come from extremes. Sometimes it’s in small, silly things — laughing with colleagues over hotpot after a late shift, seeing the sparkle of frost on your eyelashes, or hearing the crunch of snow under your boots as you walk home at night. It’s a kind of quiet happiness that lingers, and I’m grateful for it every day.

A Few Words Before You Go

If you’re reading this, thank you. I hope my reflections inspire you — especially if you’re a woman balancing career and curiosity, structure and spontaneity. Whether you’re drawn to Harbin’s icy magic or the idea of weaving travel into a busy life, know that it’s possible. You don’t have to choose between being grounded and being adventurous. You can be both — a healer and a wanderer, a thinker and a feeler, a woman who works hard and lives fully.

And if you ever find yourself up north, I’ll show you where to get the best Russian bread and the warmest winter boots — and maybe we’ll walk through an ice castle together, just two women chasing a little wonder in the snow.