Harbin
INTRO
The Pearl on the Swan's Neck. Ice/Winter city. Oriental Moscow. These are the most frequently encountered nicknames of the unique Chinese city of Harbin. Bearing the charm of the Russian architecture, combined with European style buildings and typical Chinese nuances, Harbin is a marvellous modern city with all the vigour of an exemplary developing metropolis.
City Profile
City: Harbin
Country: China
Area:53,775 km2
Population: 9,462,300
Districts: 8
Governor: Zhang Xiaolian
Language: Mandarin
Rating:
LOCATION
Lying on the southern banks of the Songhua River, Harbin is among the most important industrial, political and communication centre in Northeastern China. Linked with over 30 cities both within the country and abroad through its well developed railway and highway network, as well as through the waterway of the River, Harbin is deservedly a respected provincial capital that plays its significant role in the Chinese economy.
TIME TO VISIT
Harbin may be visited both in winter and in summer depending on your tolerance to chilly weather and your purpose of travelling. The city is known for its really cold winters when temperatures could reach minus 30 degrees Celsius. The natives, however, have extracted the positive side of these extreme temperatures and organise the annual Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival in January when various ice sculptures can be seen spread all over the city as well as on the Sun Island that hosts the event. Summers are a good time to travel to Harbin as well since the temperatures are refreshingly cooler compared to those in Beijing and rarely exceed 30 degrees C.
POPULATION
The population of Harbin almost reaches ten million people and nearly four million of them inhabit the urban region. A large number of Russian refugees moved to the city after the Russian Civil War and for a while Harbin was the city with the largest Russian population. The official language in the city is Mandarin and most of the native people might have difficulties speaking English. However, since the city is an industrial and economic centre, all business people speak it.
DISTRICTS
Harbin is administratively divided into eight districts, three county-level cities and seven counties. Three of them outstand the rest with its specific features:
- Daoli District is one of the oldest districts in the city, located on the banks of the Songhua River. It is known for the central walking street known also as the Russian street. Other attractions are also found here such as the St. Sophia Church, Flood Memorial Tower and the First Department Store.
- Nangang District is characterised by having more than 20 parks and many municipal villages. It is the most populated area and the political heart of the city. Harbin railway Station, Guomao underground shopping street, Confucius Temple and Jili Temple are also situated here.
- Daowai District is usually associated with business offices and various house properties companies located there. It is an important commercial region appropriate for those wishing to trade with the government. Sun Island is a prime example of its beautiful nature in its north part.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Harbin is often called the "winter city" and apart from the most impressive event there, The Ice Festival, there are several other places that are worth visiting.
- Zhongyang Dajie is the central avenue, a pedestrian street with a mixture of all European style architecture. Many Japanese restaurants, American fast food outlets and Russian bakeries can be found there, stretching from Jingwei Jie to Stalin Park at the river. During the winter one can take a dog sledge or a horse sledge ride or walk onto the ice.
- St. Sophia Cathedral is located in Daoli District and is today turned into Harbin Museum of Architecture. It is the only Orthodox Church that has been preserved from the old times and it exhibits many photographs depicting those earlier periods. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.nextjourney.org/China/China3.html
- Old Quarter is still dominated by the Russian style and architecture and is a pleasant area for walking around. One can find some Russian antiquities in the stores there.
- Temple of Heavenly Blissis the largest active Buddhist temple in the region. It was built in 1920s and is a holy place where locals burn play money in order to satisfy the spirits. The visitors are also allowed to take part in this ritual. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.nextjourney.org/China/China3.html
- Tiger Park is located within a short distance outside the city where visitors participate in a guided tour around the zoo. It is also possible to buy some raw meat and feed the tigers. Each open pen houses a small group of tigers that are taken care of by professionals. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/12/content_391006.htm
- Jin Shangjing History Museum is the only museum that concentrates on the history of the Jin Dynasty. The museum has been proclaimed as one of the best museums in China in 1998. It features antiquities starting from 1000 B.C. until the 20th century.
- Sun Island is a park located on the Songhua River banks and can be reached by ferry. This is the place where every year the International Snow and Ice festival takes place and many locals as well as tourists go there to witness it. During the summers it is possible to take a gondola ride along the river and have a full view of the island. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.travelchinatour.com/jim-china-travel-blog/travelogue-by-cities/harbin-snow-sculpture-festival.html
AIRPORT
The city of Harbin is easy to reach from Russia, Japan, Korea and other cities within China. There is one airport that is not far from the city centre.
- Harbin Airport, formally called Harbin Taiping International Airport, is located at 45 minutes drive outside the city of Harbin. When arriving at the airport, the most convenient way to get downtown is by taxi that should cost around 100 RMB. Remember to negotiate the price in advance. It is possible to ask the ticket agencies to arrange transportation to the airport on your way back that is included in the price of the ticket. There is also a regular bus that also goes from the city centre to the airport and back. More info at: http://airport.u.nu/HRB
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
As most big Chinese cities, Harbin's transportation system is really well developed.
- The Trolleybus travels along one route only: between the Infectious Hospital and the Harbin Normal University.
- Public buses are well arranged and cost 1-2 RMB per person. There are also two special tourist routes available every day, one of which starts at the Flood Control Monument and ends at the Sun island while the other one passes through the main tourist attractions inside the city only.
- Taxis are ideal if you don't know the streets. Prices start at RMB 8 and vary between RMB 1 to RMB 1.9 per kilometre, no tip is required.
- Ferry: six ferry lines are in operation in Harbin, four of which go to Sun Island. Four ferry terminals serve the locals: at Jiu Zhan, the Flood Control Monument, Tongjiang Jie, and Dao Wai Qi Dao Jie between 8:00 and 17:00.
HISTORY
The settlement of Harbin dates back as early as the Stone Age but little is known about its first inhabitants. The present city was formed in 1879 as a camp for the Russian engineers who were constructing the extension of the Trans-Siberian Railway for the Chinese. Later, after the defeat of the Russians against the Japanese in 1904-1905, under the Japanese influence the city established itself as an important international metropolis in Northeastern China as many Americans, Germans and French set up many industrial, commercial and banking companies here. In 1918, after the Russian Civil War, many Russian refugees moved to Harbin bringing their own cultural differences that have left their traces till present days. Finally, Harbin was captured by the Chinese during the World War II and has been under their control since then.
CITY LINKS
- Harbin Daily, A Daily Newspaper in English: http://www.harbindaily.com/
- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration: http://www.bma.go.th
- Interesting Places in Bangkok: http://www.bangkoksite.com
- Useful Tips: http://wikitravel.org/en/Harbin
- Tourist Authority of Thailand: http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=1
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine: http://www.hljucm.net
- Harbin Institute of Technology: http://en.hit.edu.cn/
- Harbin Engineering University: http://english.hrbeu.edu.cn/
- Heilongjiang University: http://english.hlju.edu.cn