Standing 336 meters above Harbin's skyline, the Dragon Tower (Long Ta / Heilongjiang Radio and TV Tower) has been the city's defining landmark since its completion in 2002. As Asia's tallest steel structure and a national AAAA-rated scenic area, the tower combines broadcast transmission, sightseeing, dining, entertainment, and popular science under one roof. In 2026, this two-decade-old icon has undergone a remarkable transformation—shifting from a traditional "climb-and-look" attraction into a dynamic, technology-driven destination that resonates with younger visitors and families alike.

The New Signature Experience: Cloud Walk at 190 Meters

The most significant addition of 2026 is the "Cloud Walk" (Yun Zhong Man Bu), an open-air high-altitude circular walkway officially unveiled on April 30, 2026. As Northeast China's first urban high-altitude experience project, this 120-meter-long glass-paneled skywalk at 190 meters elevation offers three distinct concentric rings—an inner ring for relaxed sightseeing, a middle ring for intermediate challenges, and an outer ring with fully transparent railings for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Under professional safety equipment, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Harbin's cityscape, with the Songhua River and the urban skyline stretching out below. The project has already earned praise from international visitors, including Russian tourists who described the experience as "spectacular and fun".

Walking-on-the-Clouds Corridor at 181 Meters

For those seeking a gentler version of the high-altitude experience, the original "Walking-on-the-Clouds" Corridor remains a highlight. This 60-meter-long transparent glass corridor, composed of 80 glass panels, holds the distinction of being the longest of its kind worldwide. Each square meter of glass supports a load of 1,000 kilograms, ensuring a thrilling yet completely safe experience.

The 186-Meter Rotating Restaurant: Dining in the Clouds

The 186-meter Cloud Restaurant (Yun Shang Western Restaurant) ranks among China's ten most renowned Russian-style Western dining brands. This Asia-largest staggered rotating restaurant completes a full 360-degree rotation every 90 minutes, featuring 88 panoramic viewing windows. The menu showcases authentic Russian cuisine, and the restaurant has hosted an eclectic array of events in 2026—from the China-Russia Youth Chess Tournament held at 186 meters in May, to the "World Cup Viewing Party" in June that transformed the high-altitude dining space into Harbin's highest-altitude sports bar. Seasonal menu rotations keep the dining experience fresh throughout the year.

Flight Simulation and Aerospace Experience

On the ground floor, the Wright Brothers Aviation Technology Experience Hall offers a comprehensive aerospace adventure. Visitors can pilot Boeing 737-800 and Cessna 172 flight simulators, explore the C919 cultural exhibition hall showcasing China's domestically developed passenger aircraft, and engage with VR and 5D cinema installations. This family-friendly attraction has become a top choice for parents seeking educational entertainment during the summer months, complemented by the newly introduced "VR Mars Mission" immersive experience that transports visitors to the surface of the Red Planet.

A Vertical Museum of Culture and History

The tower's lower floors house a diverse collection of museums and exhibitions. The second floor features a police museum displaying a gun used at the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China and an automatic fingerprint identification system, alongside a holy altar honoring the Red and Yellow Emperors. The third floor presents a corridor of world landscapes, an exhibition hall for Qin Dynasty terracotta warriors, the Dragon's Legend Exhibition Hall with sculptures and imagery of dragons across Chinese history, and the Dragon's Offspring Wax Figure Museum featuring 20 emperors from ten ancient dynasties.

At higher altitudes, visitors can explore the Butterfly Exhibition Hall at 190 meters, showcasing approximately 16,000 butterfly specimens including rare species from Argentina, Jamaica, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Iran. The Qifu Temple at 203 meters serves as a museum for artifacts of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), while a separate museum at 206 meters displays historical relics from the Warring States period (475–221 BC) including swords, ceramics, and Ming-dynasty Buddha sculptures.

Seasonal Highlights and Cultural Programming

Dragon Tower has embraced a year-round programming model that keeps the visitor experience evolving. During the 2026 Spring Festival season, the tower plaza hosted a nearly 30-meter-long giant intangible cultural heritage Ao Yu lantern, symbolizing "topping the list," alongside dragon dances and traditional performances on the 190-meter observation deck. In May, the "Cloud Romance" high-altitude matchmaking event launched. Summer brought the Science and Technology Carnival, with a 720-degree capsule cinema—described as China's only fully enclosed 3D mobile viewing simulator—and a vibrant night market atmosphere.

Practical Information

-Address: No. 178 Changjiang Road, Nangang District, Harbin

-Opening Hours: 09:00–20:00 (last admission at 19:30); seasonal variations apply

-Tickets: Standard sightseeing ticket ¥140–150; combo packages including flight simulation and Cloud Walk experiences available. Children under 6 or under 120cm enter free; students and seniors aged 60–64 enjoy half-price admission; visitors aged 65 and above, active-duty military personnel, and disabled visitors enter free with valid ID

-Getting There: Metro Line 2 to Longta Station (Exit B) or Metro Line 3 to Huizhan Zhongxin Station; bus routes 7, 24, 71, 112, and 209 stop at Longta Station

-Contact: +86-4006137137

From its origins as a broadcast tower to its current incarnation as a multi-dimensional experience hub, the Dragon Tower continues to reinvent itself while remaining the enduring symbol of Harbin's skyline. Whether you come for the adrenaline of Cloud Walk, the romance of a rotating dinner above the city, or the cultural depth of its museums, the Dragon Tower offers a perspective on Harbin that no other vantage point can match.