Ice City and Snow Country | How great is the charm of Harbin in winter!
Preface
Winter is upon us, and it's time to put winter travel on the agenda! Harbin, a city known for its inherently romantic nature in winter, is where I'm headed to experience the "Kingdom of Ice and Snow."
As a native of Northeast China, I shouldn't have felt anything for this kind of icy and snowy climate, yet I was filled with endless anticipation and yearning. That's because snow in Dalian doesn't last, let alone create sculptures out of it. So this winter, I chose Harbin.
Harbin is so good to take pictures!
Harbin, with its rich musical heritage, is known as the "City of Music," and its presence is easily discernible on corner balconies. Harbin, with its ice and snow culture, is known as the "City of Ice and Snow," and its presence is hidden in the ice and snow sculptures adorning the streets. Harbin is known as the "Moscow of the East" and the "Little Paris of the East," and its presence is evident in the architecture of its streets and alleys.
This is the internet-famous snowman standing on the music gallery.
This is the frozen Songhua River and the ice harvesting site of the Ice and Snow World
This is the Ice and Snow World where the lights of the ice and snow amusement park are on.
This is the Hagia Sophia, which was completed in 1932.
This is the appearance of an ordinary rural area in Northeast China, covered with thick snow.
This is a picture of the old railway bridge and the new bridge over the Songhua River
This is a comparison between Russian home cooking and Northeastern home cooking.
This is the Snow Castle Park where you can take photos and check in
All of this is due to the blessing of ice and snow in Harbin, allowing this city to give you all the romantic atmosphere you deserve in winter!
If you are bored, go to Central Street for a stroll
The reason I had to choose a hotel near Central Street was so I could get a 2-star rating at least once a day. And during my five days in Harbin, Central Street was my most frequent destination. Not only did I pass by it every morning and evening, but I also loved wandering the city streets, and the street food and restaurants there provided me with breakfast and dinner for several days.
The Central Street Museum of Architecture and Art is China's first open, public-welfare architectural museum, with its entire pedestrian street serving as the museum's exhibition area. The museum boasts 75 European-style and European-style buildings, 36 of which are listed as protected structures, including 17 on the main street. These buildings showcase influential architectural styles from the 15th and 16th centuries, including the Renaissance, 17th-century Baroque, 18th-century Eclecticism, and 19th-century Art Nouveau.
These schools of thought encompass the essence of Western architecture over the past century. From a historical and developmental perspective, an architectural style that would have taken hundreds of years to form in the West took only two or three decades to form on Central Avenue, which can be called a miracle in the history of world architecture.
There are many time-honored shops on the street that have been open for hundreds of years, such as the Madiel Hotel, Huamei Western Restaurant, and Lucia Western Restaurant.
If there is a place in a city that can prove that you have been there, then Central Street represents Harbin. "If you have not been to Central Street, you cannot say that you have been to Harbin."
A short city walk (eating, drinking and shopping)
The route is as follows: Entrance to Central Street - Deer Fish Coffee - Ruins of the Tatar Mosque - Former site of the Synagogue - Former site of the Jewish New Congregation - Old Russian Bridge (Duan Street Museum) - Flood Control Memorial Tower. Since we arrived after lunch time, we were lucky enough to find a cafe in a cultural relic building to have a light meal, and then find a Russian restaurant to have a big meal in the evening. Just thinking about it makes me happy!
The restaurant has been largely preserved in its original state, and you can tell from the age of the decor as soon as you enter. Secondly, this place is incredibly effective at retaining customers. You can divide Luyu Cafe into two parts and two floors. The two parts refer to the traditional coffee shop on the first floor and the new coffee shop on the second floor. The two floors refer to the traditional coffee shop being split into two floors: the first floor is the coffee shop, and the second floor is the dessert shop.
My friend prefers the new coffee shop across the street because it's more American-style, has a wider selection, and features a novel white coffee and evening drinks format. We've noticed that local ladies still prefer the dessert shop on the second floor of the old building because its overall style feels like it was designed specifically for women who love photos. I'd say this place is a true marketing genius: there's a quiet spot for coffee, a photo spot for dessert, and a dedicated area for drinks—there's definitely something for everyone.
After afternoon tea, we visited the Tatar Mosque. Initially captivated by its exterior, we later learned that it's older than the old synagogue and the iconic Hagia Sophia on the same street. While the mosque isn't currently open to the public, the main structure is still quite attractive, with a five-story tower topped by a green dome and red and white walls.
This mosque, also known as the Turkish Mosque, is said to be the only Tatar mosque in northern China. Construction began in 1901. Its style is influenced by Byzantine architecture while also inheriting traditional Arab culture, resulting in a novel and unique architectural form. The main structure is square, with a symmetrical facade and a brick and stone structure.
Continuing along the street, we discovered another historic building. We learned it was the Harbin Old Synagogue, now the Harbin Old Synagogue Concert Hall, where performances are held periodically. The old synagogue is a two-story brick-concrete structure, with doors and windows designed with pointed and round arches. The building is crowned by two domes, one large and one small, each holding a six-pointed Star of David, a typical Jewish architectural style.
A Russian meal was a must on our first night! With so many shops on Central Street, choosing which one to go to was a real headache. We spent a long time wandering around, only to find every one packed.
That's right! We opted for a different approach, opting for a family-style Russian restaurant. While it might not be fancy, it has a homey feel. There are only a few tables in a small building, so if you arrive late, you'll have to wait for a table. But don't worry, during your stay, you can explore the Duan Street Museum in the back or visit the cafe on the second floor. Each of the small rooms has a unique style, perfect for photos.
After having a good meal and a few drinks, we continued strolling along the main street to the Flood Control Memorial Tower. Along the way, we could still see the New Year atmosphere, with colorful lanterns and ice and snow sculptures celebrating the New Year on the street corners. At this time, we could see that there were obviously more people on the street than during the day.
The Flood Control Memorial Tower on the riverside is both a symbol of the city and the end of Central Avenue. It was built to commemorate the people of Harbin's victory over the devastating flood of 1957. On the riverside, you can visit the snow sculpture exhibition or go out onto the river to enjoy the various ice rides.
One, two, three snowman triple shot
That's right! There are three giant snowmen in Harbin: at the Music Gallery, the Bund Pier, and at the entrance of the Harbin Ice and Snow World. Looking at the chubby, differently shaped snowmen reminds me of the joy of building them in the snow as a child. As an adult, I realized I couldn't build them anymore!
The first snowman today is located at the Bund Pier. This is the only snowman in the paid area, but you can see it from all angles standing outside. If you want to take a close-up photo, you can only enter the scenic area. There is a snow park in the scenic area where you can play some snow experience projects.
Today, the second snowman is located in the Music Corridor. If you walk from the Bund along the riverside park, you can see the internet-famous big snowman about 1 kilometer away. It is the top trend every winter!
We were lucky enough to see it the day before it was demolished, so we didn't leave Harbin with any regrets. We knew the snowman was going to be taken down before we even arrived, but I kept telling my friends, "We're lucky kids, it'll definitely wait until we get there." Sure enough, the next morning after we saw it, we saw a notice announcing its demolition. Its mission to warm Harbin this winter had come to an end.
Today the third snowman is located in the Ice and Snow World. When you come to the Ice and Snow World, you will be attracted by the rabbit at the entrance first. This rabbit is carved out of snow by craftsmen. The cute rabbit has undoubtedly become the new top trend this year. This rabbit is also the zodiac rabbit of that year. I don’t know if there will be an exclusive zodiac animal here every year.
Welcome to the Ice and Snow World
When you see a thermometer made of ice, it means you are about to enter a kingdom of ice and snow!
The ticket hall and visitor service center formed a barrier between this kingdom and the real world. I could only exclaim, "Wow! Wow!" as I entered. Ice and snow are nothing new to children from Northeast China, but to see them transformed into a unique playground was truly breathtaking! I finally understood why each year at the Ice and Snow World is unique: when the world melts, the kingdom disappears, and when designers rebuild it the following year, the beauty presented is entirely different, inspired by that year's ideas.
I want to get close to the ice and feel the cool chill it emits. Although it is cold, the light it emits is warm under the sunlight.
In addition to seeing ice sculptures in the Ice and Snow World, there are also many creative snow sculptures on both sides, such as the Northeast F4 Mountain that became popular this year, which has the four top stars in "Country Love" Liu Neng, Xie Guangkun, Zhao Si and Song Xiaofeng hahahahahahahahaha.
We grabbed the Ferris wheel for our park experience, leaving the giant slide for next time. The Ferris wheel offers a bird's-eye view of the entire park, and we were lucky enough to witness a perfect sunset from our vantage point. This romantic memory will be a lasting memory of our trip.
The carnival begins when the lights of the Ice and Snow World come on at night. The ice sculptures that were a single color during the day become colorful, and various activities officially begin with music one after another.
The Dream Stage is perfect for those who dream of a wild disco in the snow. It's definitely the most lively spot in the park at night. A friend once said, "It's a place with a lot of rustic fun." And they're right! It's that earthy feel you're after, and you want to have some mindless fun in the snow!
Here is the Winter Sonata you want
There is a village between Harbin and Mudanjiang. Both the slow green train and the convenient and fast high-speed train will stop here. It attracts a large number of photography enthusiasts in both summer and winter. This is "Hengdaohezi Town".
I initially thought it was just an ordinary rural village in Northeast China, with just the right scenery. But when the local elders recounted its history, I realized it was truly extraordinary. The town boasts over 200 Russian-style buildings, including the Middle East Railway locomotive depot, the Hengdaohezi Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, and the Railway's White Building, five nationally protected cultural relics.
We shared a car from the high-speed rail station to the old train station, which is the heart of the area. You can still find your way back here after a few detours. A railway divides the village into north and south. The railway crossing, where you can take photos, and restaurants are mostly concentrated on the south side, which also serves as the village's main commercial street. The north side is mainly home to historical buildings, such as the locomotive depot, church, and cultural and arts district, including a hilltop overlooking the entire village.
A trip to Northeast China is a must, especially if you visit a rural market. A "big market" refers to the convenience of setting up stalls at fixed times each month in rural Northeast China. For example, the market in Zhaojiazhuang on the 3rd, 6th, and 9th of each month, the market in Liucun on the 2nd, 5th, and 8th of each month, and even larger markets on the 5th, 10th, and 10th of each month, or during festivals, are held. Farmers can buy just about anything at these markets. The market on New Year's Eve is particularly lively and is where people go to buy the most comprehensive selection of New Year goods.
We happened to catch a market that day, so we followed the drivers of the trailer truck and took the girl from the south to see the world, check out the big natural refrigerator outdoors, and bought some frozen pears and persimmons, which are special fruits from Northeast China.
Since I didn’t eat breakfast in the morning, I bought some fried skewers. The chicken chops were made by the lady herself, and they were really crispy when eaten hot. Fried skewers must be delicious at this roadside stall!
An elderly person wandering the village told me that the young people walking the streets these days are mostly tourists, as the village is mostly elderly and the young people have mostly left for work or moved to the city. Only you think this place is unique; to us, it's just a small, remote village.
Afterwards, they described to us what this place looks like in the summer, and said that there are photographers who stay here for two or three months. In short, I had a lot of fun chatting with these elderly people.
Before I knew it, I'd reached the internet-famous railway crossing. A grandmother who lives near the railway said that a few days ago, during Chinese New Year, the crossing was packed with people taking photos. A little girl wearing a very short skirt fainted from the cold and asked her friends to carry her home to warm her up. I said, "Yeah, they all come here to take JK photos." There were four women taking photos across from me, and the grandmother kept complaining about being frozen trying to take photos. It was indeed very cold. Looking good in photos is important, but health is more important!!!
If you want to take pictures of trains passing by, you can use "Railway 12306" to check the entry and exit information of Hengdaohezi Station, so that you can take pictures when the time is right.
When I chatted with my grandmother, she recounted a story about the past: the railway line marked the border. Crossing the line meant entering the Russian-inhabited area, which is why there were many two- and three-story buildings on the other side. Back then, it wasn't uncommon to see different faces on the street. After liberation, they gradually left.
After saying goodbye to Grandma, we continued our journey around Gai Street. An elderly man, assuming we were going to take photos of the lambs, enthusiastically told us which shop to go to after the railway station. We knocked on the door and told them we could take photos of the lambs. For a fee, they'd let us take photos of the lambs. It really had become an established industry. We walked past the locomotive shed, which was closed, and then wandered back to our starting point at the train station. We decided to grab lunch first before continuing our stroll.
A dog we met on the road ran towards us and I said, "It might have smelled the fried skewers on me."
Let’s eat, let’s eat. Why did we choose this restaurant? Because the big brother is really a man who can’t be let down! The reason we ate at this restaurant is that in front of his house, an interesting thing happened. A southern girl slipped and fell in front of the door. The big brother looked at her for a long time and she didn’t get up. The ground was still cold, so he quickly called us to help her up and go into the house to sit. He kept asking if she was okay, just like a father who was very anxious when he saw his daughter fall.
I later decided this place was worth recommending because its food is truly delicious! The beef tripe hot pot and the wontons, made fresh by the auntie, were especially delicious and generous. We even joked that maybe she gave more because of the fall, and the auntie said, "Our family is just generous, and everyone gets the same." After all, most of the people who come here are from the village, so we can't gouge our fellow villagers. The skewers are made fresh by the couple, and the uncle grills them deliciously.
With the guidance of the barbecue couple, we came to the back mountain, where we met a grandfather who was returning home. When he learned that we wanted to go up the mountain to have a look, he took us up. I have to say that if it weren’t for him, we might not have gone up, because the mountain road was covered with snow and the slope was almost vertical. In the end, we just sat on the ground and slid down the mountain.
Fortunately, the scenery on the mountain is quite good, and the explanation and information given by the old man gave me a new understanding of the village. When I was going up the mountain, I came across such a yellow and white building. When I was going down the mountain, I said it was beautiful. Then the old man said, "This used to be a school. It's where I went to school."
No wonder the old man talks endlessly about his village; this is where he grew up, and his childhood memories are all here. The mountain behind is probably where he would climb when he was naughty, so even in the thick snow, he still remembers the way up. Now he has moved to the city, but occasionally returns here. He happened to meet us on this day, and he gave us a full understanding of his hometown.
Our final stop on the day was the Hengdao Cultural and Art Theme District, home to a church. The entire neighborhood is perfect for photos, boasting artist studios and, in the summer, bustling with students sketching. Locals recommended a summertime visit. The word "summer" had already surfaced frequently in our conversations, and the seed had been planted: if I had the chance, I'd definitely visit Hengdao River in the summer.
How many churches are there in Harbin?
Having woken up early yesterday to catch the high-speed train, I was fortunate to sleep in naturally today, allowing me to take my time exploring the city and taking in the architecture. We departed from Harbin Station, focusing primarily on the buildings along Gogol Street and Dongdazhi Street, before concluding the day at the former site of Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No. 6.
▷Iver Church and the former site of Yasley Orphanage
There's a church in the north square of Harbin Railway Station, often missed by tourists leaving the station. Built in 1908, it was originally the military Orthodox church of the Russian Amur Military District stationed in Harbin. A brick-and-wood structure, it features an eclectic style. 20 meters northwest of the Iversky Church stands the orphanage attached to the church, built in 1924. The Iversky Church is the only historical religious building in Harbin with its annexes preserved.
Passing Harbin Station and heading to Heilongjiang Provincial Expo, you can see many historical buildings along the way, which have now become commercial entities such as hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Since we went there when the museum was under renovation, we didn't get to see the inside of the exhibition hall.
▷Monument to the Martyrs of the Soviet Red Army
In the square opposite the museum stands the bronze "Monument to the Martyrs of the Soviet Red Army", which was built by the Soviet Red Army Command in 1945 to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who died in the battle against the Japanese invaders.
▷Former site of the director of the Middle East Railway Administration
Built in 1920, this brick-and-wood building is in the Art Nouveau style. The main structure is two stories, with a staircase located in the center of the main facade and an open pavilion above. The overall architecture exudes a strong sense of exoticism. Currently occupied by a KFC, it's a great spot for street photography.
▷St. Alexeev Cathedral
St. Alexeev Cathedral was designed by Russian architect Smirnov-Toftanovsky. It is a typical Russian building with a brick and wood structure.
Another unique feature of this church is that the traditional arch has been replaced with a tent-shaped spire to prevent snow from accumulating on the roof. Locals often call it the "Reform Church" because it's located at the intersection of Gexin Street and Gogol Street. I think the name of the church was too difficult to pronounce, so they used the street name instead.
An obsession brought me here. When I searched for "Harbin", most of the recommendations were St. Sophia Cathedral, but by chance I saw this red and white church and I really wanted to go there!
Although it's not as famous as Hagia Sophia, it's less crowded and very photogenic! Compared to the 10-minute wait for a spot at Hagia Sophia, here you can just walk around the church and take photos. On the day we went, only my friend and I were taking photos, and there were basically local residents strolling around.
While walking around the church, I spotted a dating corner behind it. If you're interested, you can check it out. I was truly floored. They thoroughly researched everything from their education and property to their appearance, height, and even their parents' situations. It taught me how to write a dating resume, and I realized I might not even be able to put one up there.
As soon as you enter Gogol Street, you can start looking for a place to have lunch. The short lunch break is a time to rest and recover your energy.
▷Harbin Nangang Christian Church
The church was built in 1914 and was originally named Luther Church. It is a Christian activity venue with a long history in Heilongjiang Province and rich in patriotic traditions. The church is in the German Gothic architectural style, with a simple, elegant, solemn and dignified style.
▷Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Protection
Harbin Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, also known as the Harbin Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Ukrainian Cathedral, and transliterated as Bakrovskaya Cathedral in Russian, is an Eastern Orthodox church located at 268 Dongdazhi Street, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. Designed in 1930 by renowned Russian architect Yuri Peter Zhdanov, this brick and stone structure was modeled after the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.
There is a modern church opposite the Church of Our Lady of Protection, which is also quite nice.
▷Qiulin Company
Qiulin Company has gone through a century of vicissitudes and has maintained its original appearance after several expansions. To this day, people can still recognize it at a glance from the Dazhi Street lined with shopping malls. As a well-known place in Harbin, many people will go in and have a look when they come.
After walking all the way from Gogol Street to Qiulin Company, we were a bit tired so we found a hidden coffee shop. As the saying goes, "Good wine needs no bush," and this place is like that. It was full when we arrived, and surprisingly, reservations are required for dining and coffee here. Luckily, one table was reserved late, so we only stayed for a little over an hour before leaving.
▷Former site of Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No. 6
This was a hotspot last year. Dubbed the "Louvre of Northeast China," it truly lives up to its name, boasting a European-style exterior and a magnificent interior (see online video). While I wasn't able to tour the interior, the exquisite reliefs on the facade were enough to astound me. I heard it's now being renovated and transformed into a bathing center. What kind of sparks will emerge when Northeastern bathing culture meets European architecture?
My main reason for coming here was to take photos. There are tons of photography tips online, but when I actually arrived, there weren't many photo spots. Because it's near an intersection and there's a lot of traffic, I could only snap a few photos through the fence at the entrance and a panoramic shot from the open space across the street. It definitely felt like I was in Europe, and I'm the type of person who's happy with just one photo and feels like it was worth the trip.
Must-see! Hagia Sophia
It's been two years since I last visited the cathedral, and back then, the square wasn't crowded. This time, I was stunned by the sheer number of people snapping photos. Trying to snap a selfie without anyone around was a real struggle! Now, thinking back, why didn't I take any photos then? Perhaps it was for this trip.
St. Sophia Cathedral is a Byzantine-style Orthodox church built in 1907. It is not only a landmark building in Harbin, but its interior is also used as the "Harbin Architectural Art Museum".
However, there are times when there are fewer people. On the way back, the driver said, "There will be no one before 8 o'clock in the morning, but there will be more people in the group square starting from 9 o'clock." We believed him and got up early the next day to go there, but we didn't expect that we couldn't take any pictures due to the strong backlight. If you want to take pictures in the morning, you must go even earlier, before the sun rises!
I still like to go here at sunset, then take pictures of the moment when the lights come on and then go back. However, this is also the time when the flow of people is the largest, and it takes some ingenuity to avoid crowds appearing in the picture.
I'm sure you've seen plenty of great photo spots online, so I won't go into detail here. Here are three of my favorites:
1. The back of the church: Because most people gather in the front, the back is less crowded and you can take pictures however you want.
⒉ The stone staircase on the left side in front of the church: This is my favorite angle, where you can take a panoramic photo of the church
⒊ Brick Corridor: The standard check-in position is the one pictured above. It is also the position with the longest queue time, but it is indeed very photogenic.
The ultra-niche Volga Manor
A castle that wasn't on my itinerary, but it was recommended to me by friends I met that evening on the day I arrived! They were also visiting Harbin and highly recommended it to us, but we didn't want to change our schedule, so we didn't consider it first.
After returning to the hotel, everyone still wanted to go, so we gathered in a room for a meeting. We decided that since no one had ever been there, we couldn't complain about it, no matter how good or bad it was. We also decided to go after we had some free time on our itinerary, so we scheduled it for the last day.
The Volga Manor is located on the banks of the Ash River in the suburbs of Harbin, covering an area of more than 600,000 square meters. It has more than 30 classic Russian buildings. Here you can not only see the old Russian buildings that have disappeared in the urban area of Harbin, but also some old buildings that have long disappeared in Russia.
We boarded the shuttle and headed straight for the castle. Stepping inside, I could only exclaim "Wow!" at the sheer splendor. This castle wedding would definitely be a good place to hold one, and I remarked, "Whoever wants to hold their wedding here, it's so grand and feels like a wedding abroad." I was dazzled, glancing around to avoid missing any detail.
The way to leave the castle was also unique. We went up to the top floor and then rode a snow tube down. The feeling of being dropped from the fifth floor to the first floor was amazing. It was a great way to incorporate ice and snow into the experience. I heard that the queues were very long during the New Year. My sister Ting and I played it three or four times. If it weren't for the long distance from the bottom to the castle, we could have played it again!
The area here is really large, and you can take long photos of each house. The styles are different in spring and summer. I really want to come here again in the summer to experience the different styles of Volga Manor.
My friend thought the castles were worth it, but I enjoyed the slide down from the castle and the horse farm. Here, you can not only experience the joy of horseback riding, but also pet the horses up close. The staff will also enthusiastically introduce the horses to you. You can really feel his love for horses when communicating with the breeder.
The keepers will regularly take the foals for walks in front of the castle, and you can approach to hold the foals for a commemorative photo. The keepers will teach you how to hold the foals, but make sure you hold them firmly, otherwise the foals will run away. I witnessed this happen, and the keepers couldn't catch up. It was because they ran away that we finally found the stables.
If you like taking photos, this place is really worth a trip. Here you can experience the feeling of the suburbs of Moscow, here you can lie in the snow and have fun, here you can let yourself go and feel the joy of childhood.
Chinese Baroque Historic District
This is the birthplace of Harbin's national industry and commerce. The Chinese Baroque architectural complex in the block is the largest and best-preserved Chinese Baroque architectural complex currently existing in the country.
We also went in the evening. The second phase of the renovation is still underway nearby, so it will be a great place to visit once it's all completed. This phase of the neighborhood has many courtyards and alleyways of varying styles, as well as traditional commercial, dining, folk customs, and other intangible cultural resources. There are also many time-honored shops scattered throughout the neighborhood.
Roasted sweet potatoes are a must-have on the streets in winter. They are hot and warm and sweet.
Another main reason we came here was to eat the pork ribs buns at Zhang Bao Pu. There was a real piece of pork ribs wrapped in a bun, and you really wanted to smack your lips after eating it. We also ordered pork skin jelly, which is a special cold dish in Northeast China.
The Last Lookout Songhua River Railway Bridge
On the morning of our last day, my friends and I decided to go back to our original starting point, Luyu Coffee, while I decided to go to the Songhua River Railway Bridge alone. The old railway bridge is now used for sightseeing, and next to it is a new railway bridge, with trains passing by from time to time.
The Harbin Songhua River Railway Bridge, also known as the Binzhou Railway Harbin Songhua River Bridge, is located east of Stalin Park on the banks of the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, at kilometer 2741 of the Binzhou Railway. It serves as the boundary bridge between Harbin's Daoli and Daowai districts.
Standing on the bridge, I look back and see that the snow season is almost over. The snowman in the Music Gallery has been dismantled, the ice and snow sculptures on Central Avenue have vanished, and the Ice and Snow World has entered its final countdown. It's time to say goodbye to this snow season! Soon after I return, the Songhua River will begin to flow. Spring is drawing closer, and I don't know when I'll be back next time.
The guide you want is here
The hotel we stayed in was in a good location near Xinyang Road and Central Street subway station. If you have any questions, you can refer to this location for selection.
The itinerary originally planned was not consistent with the actual itinerary, so the actual itinerary is listed for reference only! ! !
Travel period: February 16-21, 2023
DAY1: Arrival—Central Street—Flood Control Memorial Tower—St. Sophia Cathedral
DAY2: Bund Snowman – Music Gallery Snowman – Songhua River Ice Harvesting Site – Ice and Snow World
DAY3: Hengdaohezi Town (round trip on the same day)
DAY 4: Harbin Station – Heilongjiang Provincial Museum – St. Alexeev Cathedral – Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Protection – Qiulin Company – Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No. 6 (locate a few key points and the rest are nearby)
DAY5: St. Sophia Cathedral - Volga Manor - Chinese Baroque Street
DAY6: Songhua River Railway Bridge - Places not visited on the return trip: Harbin Museum, Harbin Grand Theater, Siberian Tiger Park, Russian Style Town, Sun Island Snow Expo, Unit 731 Memorial Hall of the Japanese Invaders, Harbin Confucian Temple, Harbin Jile Temple
Some food recommendations I compiled
Russian food: Europa Restaurant (there was a performance when I ate there last time), Old Russian Bridge (family-style Russian food on Central Street), Portman, Huamei, Kuzmin, Midwich, Tadaos
Iron pot stew: Baiyida (with Errenzhuan performances very lively) Shanhetun, Yingxin Liuluoguo
Clay Pot Noodles: Jizhiwei (Golden Sun Branch): A thick layer of sesame paste is the soul. Shuilouzi Xinxin Clay Pot House: No. 70, Jiankang Road, Xiangfang District (Boneless Pickled Cabbage Vermicelli Hot Pot, Beef and Persimmon Hot Pot, Fried Cakes)
Northeastern cuisine: Lao Chu Jia (the original restaurant for sweet and sour pork, it’s unbeatable!)
Barbecue: Old Lady Barbecue (from Rensheng Yishuan), Jingangshan, Yan Shouyi Special Kidney, Xiaowei Chuan Shop, Beisan First
Spring pancakes: Laochang spring pancakes, Yulinzhen gluten pancakes, Jinming spring pancakes, and Heli spring pancakes
Smoked sauce: Beishan Tavern, Zhangbaopu, Zhaojia Pig's Trotter, Zhang Fei Braised Meat, Yishoudian, Shangwei Red Sausage
Malatang: Huanan Manjiexiang Big Bowl, Xinhongfu Casserole, Sichuan Pepper
Pork ribs buns: Zhang Bao Pu (it’s so delicious to wrap a piece of pork ribs in it)
Desserts: Madiel Popsicles (look for No. 89 Central Street), Lao Dingfeng (pastry), Wandashan Ruci Fresh, Shaji Saisuo
Alcohol: Harbin Beer, Kvass
Conclusion
If you, like me, don't want to see the crowds of Harbin, then come during mid-to-late February, just as winter is about to end. If you want to see Harbin at its most vibrant, come during the Lunar New Year holiday and experience the Northeast's festive atmosphere. If you're looking for something special, come now and let this icy joy fill your winter! Here's to Harbin, the city that brings me joy in winter.
