"Harbin, Northernmost Chinese Metropolis" Top 5 Page for this destination Harbin by calcaf38

Harbin Travel Guide: 386 reviews and 901 photos

Harbin, the capital of the Heilongjiang province and of what was once Manchuria, is not a conventional travel destination. A huge city the size of Berlin, Singapore or Houston, Harbin is an industrial center. Your first impression might be disastrous: polluted air, infernal construction...

And yet, for Westerners, the appeal of Harbin rests in its history. Harbin is a modern city, founded in 1898 with the construction of the Chinese Eastern Raiway, an extension of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. In the early Twentieth Century, Harbin was a true international city. Following the Revolution, White Russians took refuge in Harbin and built the historic district in a traditional 1880 Russian style. Harbin was next occupied by the Japanese as the capital of their Manchukuo state. At the crossroad between two holocausts, Harbin was a haven for Jews, and a place of untold suffering for the Chinese during the Japanese occupation (see Off the Beaten Path tips). After WWII, Harbin was briefly under Soviet control before growing to be the tenth largest Chinese city.

More recently, Harbin was in the news when the Songhua river was polluted by a benzene leak, and the city was deprived of water for days.

Although Harbin winters are brutal (North of North Korea, North of Vladivostok), tourists flock to Harbin for the annual Ice Lantern Festival or Snow and Ice Festival. I was fortunate to visit Harbin during the festival, and I saw many sights right out of fairy tales, or out of dreams.

Pros and Cons

Pros:History, Winter Festivals
Cons:Poor city transit, polar temperatures
In a nutshell:A fun place to freeze your giblets

Last visit to Harbin: Jan 2005
Intro Updated Sep 23, 2007
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Reviews (19)

Even fast food has lots of little bones in it - Harbin

"Fusion Concept" Fast Food Restaurants (3)

This is the most frequently encountered fast food chain in Harbin. The very name is hilarious. The most popular dish is... more travel advice

Zhongyang Dajie, The Greatest Street in Harbin - Harbin

Zhongyang Dajie, The Greatest Street in... Things to Do (6)

Ever since the Old Harbin days, Zhongyang Dajie has been THE street to see and be seen. Even during the days of the... more travel advice

Heilongjiang Winter is No Joke What to Pack (1)

I wore fleece socks over my regular socks, long underwear (heavy duty for the pants), a mask hat, and thermal fleece... more travel advice

Saint Sophia Cathedral Things to Do (6)

This massive Russian Orthodox cathedral is located a little off the Old Russian neighborhood. But it's worth the... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (22)

balhannah Dec 28, 2009 at 9:18 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful photos of the Ice sculptures! It sounded like it was terribly cold when you were there!
Bwana_Brown Apr 13, 2009 at 11:46 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for this little glimpse of winter life in Harbin! The underground tunnels and stores reminded me of Montreal. I had heard of those human experiments but did not know they took place in Harbin.
Cool-123 Mar 11, 2009 at 8:24 PM Report Abuse

I am planning my trip to Trans-Siberia in July and your tips are very useful, thanks!!
Nemorino Oct 17, 2008 at 2:21 PM Report Abuse

Hi Oliver, I rated your Harbin tips last year. Tonight I thought of you when a German TV station ran a documentary about a trip to Harbin by train. It was about a lovely young blond woman named Svetlana who went there to teach Russian at the university.
Matty.Asia Oct 12, 2008 at 10:50 PM Report Abuse

Many Chinese also don't know which way to go, I have a good sense of direction so I tell my Chinese friends which way when they're confused. It's all fun though.
volopolo Mar 22, 2008 at 7:17 AM Report Abuse

Another ecxellent picture! China is one of my favorite countries!
dabidc Mar 16, 2008 at 12:44 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic and fascinating info on Harbin, sister city to Calgary and home to good friend Rupertlee. Enjoyed the history, geography and the ice sculptures, so much so that I commend you on staying warm, oh and have a great birthday celebration.
crewrower Dec 3, 2007 at 8:41 AM Report Abuse

Haerbin is cool - one of China's top cities to visit.
RoseAmano Nov 17, 2007 at 7:47 PM Report Abuse

Likewise about your photos and commentaries of Harbin. Loved your photos of the brilliant colours of the ice sculptures, and your descriptions of feeling nether-worldly in them!
craic Sep 23, 2007 at 1:55 AM Report Abuse

fascinating page about a fascinating place - thanks a lot - great