Harbin, which is the center of Heilongjiang province, stands out among other Chinese cities in that many Russians lived in the city at the beginning of the 19th century. This fact could not be reflected in the architecture and appearance of the streets. Today in Harbin you can see not only traditional sights, but also preserved objects of Russian culture.
Holiday season in Harbin
The city is located in the northeastern part of the PRC, so the weather is mostly cool throughout the year. The best period to travel to Harbin is from May to mid-September, when the air temperature is suitable for long walks.
In spring, flowers bloom in the city, and a variety of events are organized in the parks. Closer to summer, the flow of tourists increases, since it is at this time that the warmest weather sets in. In July, the thermometer rises to +29 degrees. At the same time, the amount of precipitation is minimal. In autumn, the air gradually cools down to +5 degrees and a strong wind often rises.
In winter, fans of snow and ice figures come to Harbin. The famous Ice Festival is held annually on the territory of the city, where craftsmen demonstrate their art of creating ice sculptures.
TOP 10 interesting places in Harbin
Central Street (Zhuneng Dojo)
Harbinians call this place "Arbat" and at the moment the street is considered one of the longest pedestrian avenues in China. In the XX century, the commercial and industrial sphere was actively developing in Harbin. Business representatives from Europe and Russia lived in the city. They erected a huge quarter in the city center, combining the style of Baroque, Modernism and Renaissance.
In the evenings, the street is illuminated with colorful illumination, numerous restaurants and cafes open, music plays. The shopping centers located along the avenue should be noted separately. These are kind of museums where you can buy a copy of many world brands.
In winter, folk festivals are held at the Zhunen Dojo, and tourists are encouraged to ride in dog sleds. The celebration of the New Year according to the Chinese calendar is also organized here.
Dragon Tower
This unusual sight rushes into the sky at 336 meters in the central part of the city. The tower is not only the hallmark of Harbin, but also performs the function of broadcasting the main TV channels. In terms of height, "Dragon" takes a worthy second place in the world, so many tourists tend to see the structure with their own eyes.
The tour of the tower begins with an ascent to a height of 179 meters, where the first observation deck is located. There is also a glass path, which fans of extreme sports dare to walk along. Above the observation deck, there is a cozy revolving restaurant serving national cuisine.
Further, you can climb to a height of 190 and 204 meters, after which you will find yourself on other observation platforms, from where a gorgeous view of Harbin opens.
Going down to the first floor, you will have a walk through the numerous shops, cafes and an examination of the exhibition of wax figures depicting the emperors of China.
Jile Temple
The building is considered one of the key temple complexes in China. The history of the shrine goes back to 1920, when construction began under the guidance of master Yanghu. Five years later, the largest Buddhist temple in China with an area of more than 57 thousand square meters appeared in the Nangang region.
Upon entering the red central gate, visitors are directed to halls symmetrically located around the main building. All the halls face the Drum Tower and Bell Tower with their facades. The monks of the temple beat drums and a bell twice a day, calling the faithful to the ceremony of worship.
The territory of Jile is open to the public, so tourists can enjoy getting to know this interesting attraction at any time. In addition to visiting the buildings of the temple, you can stroll through the spacious park and buy souvenirs in the shops at the monastery.
Tigers sanctuary
A park was created 15 kilometers from Harbin, whose employees set as their goal the preservation and breeding of the endangered Amur tigers. Initially, the reserve was a closed type, but gradually it was turned into a beautiful park. At the beginning of its existence, 8 tigers were brought to the reserve, and after 20 years their number increased to 320.
A tour of the reserve is recommended for thrill-seekers. You can move around the park in special buses, closed with iron bars for safety reasons. Tourists are allowed to feed the animals with meat purchased from the store near the entrance. The profit from the visit allows you to keep animals in their natural environment and care for them.
The park is divided into 15 districts. Each district is a natural area where optimal conditions have been created for the Amur tigers.
Heilongjiang Provincial Museum
The largest museum in Harbin, famous for its rich collection of historical artifacts, is located on Manchouli Avenue. The museum was erected in 1904, after which part of the building belonged to the bank and the Moscow store. Only after the liberation of the PRC was the building given to the museum by the authorities.
Separately, it is worth noting the original architecture: the roof in the form of convex red rectangles, arched openings on the facades, tall columns in the French style. Compositionally, the building is divided into three parts, where exhibition halls are located.
The first room is dedicated to ancient archaeological finds discovered in Heilongjiang province over 80 years. Among all the exhibits, the remains of a human skeleton, which existed about 20 thousand years ago, stand out.
The second and third rooms contain a collection of items made of silk, gold, pearls and jade. There are also exhibits related to the reign of the Qi Dynasty.
Sophia Cathedral
The attraction can be seen at the intersection of Caolin and Daulong streets. The cathedral is one of the inactive churches of the Russian Orthodox Church. Since 1996, it has been included in the list of cultural heritage monuments of the PRC and is under state protection. The first building of the temple was built in 1907. Later the cathedral underwent two reconstructions and was consecrated in 1932.
In the second half of the 20th century, many Russians left Harbin, and the temple fell into disrepair. The building was used as a warehouse, and during the Cultural Revolution it was miraculously preserved by the inhabitants of the city.
The cathedral was built according to all the canons of traditional Byzantine architecture, which is rare in China. Today, a gallery has been opened within the walls of the cathedral, whose employees have collected thousands of photographs testifying to the history of the city.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The only Catholic cathedral in Harbin is located in the central part of the city. In 1900, workers began to arrive from Poland with the aim of building a railway. For them, in 1907, they began to build a temple, consecrated by the Polish bishop in 1909.
In 1966, services ceased due to the Cultural Revolution. The building was handed over to the authorities, who organized a school there. After 1979, the temple housed retail space and a gallery. In 1980, the cathedral was returned to the Catholic diocese, at whose insistence the reconstruction and lighting of the building in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus took place.
The temple stands out significantly against the background of other buildings in the city. This is due to the fact that outwardly the cathedral looks like an example of Gothic architecture. Gabled roofs, laconicism, symmetry, semicircular arched openings - all this makes the temple different from Chinese traditional architecture.
Zhaolin Park
The Songhua Embankment is famous not only for its scenic beauty, but also for the largest park built in honor of General Li Zhaolin. The ideal time to visit is between May and February. In spring and summer, cultural events are held in the park, including exhibitions, seminars, performances by artists. The territory of the park is well-groomed and consists of 4 themed gardens, in each of which you can relax in the bosom of nature and enjoy the surrounding landscapes.
In winter, the park attracts the attention of connoisseurs of ice figures. It is in Zhaolin that a business exhibition is held, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. After 6 pm, a light show begins in the park. All ice constructions are illuminated with garlands, neon lamps, which creates an amazing visual effect. You can observe this splendor from January to the end of February.
Opera theatre
This unique futuristic object was built in 5 years by a team of specialists from different countries. As conceived by the designers, the building was supposed to follow the shape of the surrounding landscape of the marshland and the bends of the Sungari River. To this end, the roof of the theater was built from curved glass plates, connected by white aluminum panels.
The central hall is designed for 1500 seats. The interior decoration of the hall is mesmerizing: streamlined forms sheathed with Manchu ash, modern acoustic system, smooth transitions from one wall to another.
The best collectives of the world opera stage regularly perform in the theater. For Harbinians, this attraction is the pride of China and the country's image component.
Polar Oceanarium
In the Song Bay area, there is an oceanarium recognized as the best in northeastern China. This fact is explained by a number of reasons:
- The Oceanarium has AAA state accreditation, which confirms its high status in the field of tourism.
- Inside the building, all aquariums are equipped in accordance with international safety standards.
- A wide variety of pets (tropical fish, killer whales, seals, polar bears, turtles, sharks, etc.).
- An opportunity to watch an interesting show with the participation of belugas.
On the first floor of the oceanarium, several shops are constantly operating, selling souvenir products of a marine theme. The list of additional services includes immersion in the aquarium with live fish and photography with the inhabitants of the aquarium.
