The 3rd Asian Winter Games (Chinese: 第三届亚洲冬季运动会; pinyin: Dì sān jiè yàzhōu dōngjì yùndònghuì), also known as Harbin 1996 (Chinese: 哈尔滨1996), were held from February 4 to 11, 1996 in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.

[1] North Korea's Samjiyon was the original host for the games scheduled in 1995, but withdrew in August 1992.

The 1996 Winter Asiad mascot is Doudou, a character inspired by the pea plant.

[2] A total of 43 events in eight medal sports were held in the Third Winter Asian Games.

Figure skating was reinstated and Freestyle skiing was added to the program.