Home / Travel Blog / Blog Details
The dream is taking shape. You’ve seen the pictures: a cityscape carved from crystal-clear ice, glowing with ethereal lights in shades of sapphire, emerald, and amber. Palaces, pagodas, and slides that look like they’re from a fairy tale, all constructed from frozen blocks harvested from the Songhua River. This is Harbin, home to the world-famous Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. For Danish visitors with a spirit of adventure, this winter wonderland is an unparalleled destination. The first step on this journey might seem like the most daunting: obtaining a Chinese visa. But fear not, for Danish passport holders are in a favorable position, and the process is more straightforward than you might think. This guide is designed to walk you through the entire application, turning bureaucratic steps into a simple prelude to an unforgettable adventure.
Let's banish the cold feet about paperwork and get you ready for the sub-zero temperatures of China's most magical winter city.
Before we dive into forms and documents, let's solidify your inspiration. Denmark has its own charming winters, but Harbin offers something entirely different—a scale and artistry of winter celebration that has to be seen to be believed.
This is the main event. Imagine walking through a sprawling complex where the buildings aren't made of brick and mortar, but of ice. Elaborate, full-size cathedrals, sections of the Great Wall, and mythical creatures are all meticulously carved and illuminated from within by colorful LEDs. It’s a surreal, breathtaking experience that truly comes alive after dark. The sheer scale of the ambition and craftsmanship is worth the journey alone.
While the Ice and Snow World focuses on massive structures, Zhaolin Park is the realm of the exquisite. Here, you'll find hundreds of intricate ice and snow lanterns. The tradition started with local fishermen hollowing out buckets of water, letting them freeze, and placing a candle inside. Today, it has evolved into an art form, with delicate carvings of animals, figures, and scenes that glow softly against the night sky, creating a more intimate and romantic atmosphere.
If ice is architecture, then snow is the marble. On Sun Island, across the Songhua River, artists from around the world compete to create monumental sculptures from compacted snow. The level of detail achievable in this medium is astounding, resulting in smooth, majestic works of art that are beautiful both in daylight and when strategically lit in the evening.
Harbin's history is deeply intertwined with Russia, thanks to the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway. This legacy is etched into the city's architecture along Zhongyang Dajie (Central Street), a beautiful pedestrian boulevard lined with European-style buildings. Here, you can warm up in a Russian café with a hot coffee and sample Russian bread and sweets. Don't leave without trying Harbin's signature dish: guo bao rou—a delicious sweet and sour pork dish that is the ultimate comfort food in the cold.
The key to a smooth visa application is preparation and understanding the requirements. As a Danish citizen, you will be applying for an L-Type Tourist Visa.
You have two main options for submitting your application in Denmark:
Your first action should be to visit the official website of the CVASC in Copenhagen to download the latest application form and book an appointment. Appointments are typically mandatory.
This is the most critical part. An incomplete application is the primary reason for delays or rejection. Prepare a checklist and gather the following:
Take all your original documents and copies to your appointment at the CVASC in Copenhagen. Dress neatly, be polite, and present your documents as requested. You will have your photo taken (as part of their process) and your fingerprints collected. After reviewing your documents, the staff will give you a pickup slip with an expected date. Standard processing usually takes about 4 business days, but expedited service is available for an extra fee.
Return to the CVASC on the date indicated on your slip. Pay the required visa fee (check the CVASC website for the current amount) and collect your passport. Carefully check the details on the visa sticker to ensure your name, passport number, and visa validity dates are all correct.
The Harbin Ice Festival typically runs from late December through February. This is the peak application season. To avoid stress, aim to submit your visa application 1 to 3 months before your planned departure date. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have your visa in hand, but you can use provisional bookings for the application.
Harbin in winter is cold. Danish winters do not prepare you for this. Proper gear is not a suggestion; it's a necessity. * Footwear: Insulated, waterproof boots with a good grip are essential. You will be walking on ice and snow constantly. * Layers: Thermal underwear (merino wool is ideal), a mid-layer like a fleece or sweater, and a high-quality, windproof and waterproof down jacket. * Accessories: A warm hat (that covers your ears), a thick scarf or neck gaiter, and insulated gloves or mittens. Heat packs for your hands and feet are a great idea. * Skin Protection: The air is extremely dry and cold. Bring heavy moisturizer and lip balm.
While your visa gets you into the country, these tools will help you navigate it. * VPN: Services like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are blocked in China. Subscribe to a reliable VPN service before you leave Denmark and install it on all your devices. * WeChat: This is the "app for everything" in China. It's used for messaging, payments, and more. While linking it to a foreign credit card can be tricky, it's invaluable for communication. * Translation Apps: Pleco or Google Translate (download the offline Chinese language pack) will be your best friends for reading menus and signs. * Payment: While Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate, international credit cards are increasingly accepted in tourist spots. However, always carry a supply of Chinese Yuan (CNY) in cash for smaller vendors, taxis, and markets.
The path from dreaming of Harbin's icy spires to standing beneath them is clear. The visa process for Danish visitors is a structured, manageable series of steps. By preparing your documents carefully and following the guidelines, you can secure your visa with confidence. So, gather your warmest clothes, get your camera ready, and take that first step. An extraordinary winter adventure, filled with the glow of ice lanterns and the thrill of a unique cultural experience, awaits you in Harbin.
Copyright Statement:
Author: Harbin Travel
Link: https://harbintravel.github.io/travel-blog/harbin-visa-for-danish-visitors-easy-application.htm
Source: Harbin Travel
The copyright of this article belongs to the author. Reproduction is not allowed without permission.