For a long time, the capital of the northernmost Chinese province, Harbin, was essentially an abandoned, sleepy backwater. But the city flourished at the end of the 19th century after the construction of the East China Railway. Today it is one of the most beautiful cities in China, to which tens of thousands of tourists come annually, especially during the international ice festival. We will go and we to this magnificent city and consider the sights of Harbin.
1
Harbin Airport
We begin our acquaintance with the city from the air harbor - Harbin Taiping International Airport, connecting Harbin with different corners of the globe.
Built in 1979, the first terminal began servicing domestic and international flights. In the late 90s, the airport was significantly expanded, and after reconstruction it acquired an ultramodern look.
Not only beauty is surprising, but also the possibilities of an air harbor capable of serving up to 12 million passengers a year.
And about other no less beautiful airports in the world, most-beauty.ru has prepared an excellent article.
2
Central train station
From the airport we will go to the Harbin railway gate, the magnificent building of the railway station, which has been reporting its history since 1899.
In 1903, the station received the status of Harbin Station, and with the development of the economy, the station became one of the largest transport hubs in China. The building of the railway station was repeatedly rebuilt.
Today, a huge comfortable station takes 190 trains a day, and passengers can feel at home in the waiting rooms, which have everything for a wonderful pastime.
3
Harbin Old Quarter
To feel the spirit of this city, you need to go to old Harbin and take a walk along the streets of the old quarter. Most of the buildings were built by Russian craftsmen back in the 19th century, and in some places you feel that this is a Russian city.
It harmoniously combines various architectural styles, from ornate baroque to the majestic Byzantine style. Many generations of Harbin residents managed to preserve the unique structures of the old quarter, although many of them require repair and restoration.
With its streets, the quarter overlooks the embankment of the Sungari River, the embankment of which is another unique attraction. This street receives the most enthusiastic reviews from tourists, you can check it yourself.
4
Sungari River Embankment
The beautiful embankment has long been a reflection of the modern life of the city, where the historical past and present are harmoniously combined.
Not far from the embankment, a railway bridge spread across the river, which at one time was the largest on the Trans-Siberian Railway. A monument about the flood of 1957 was erected here, and very close by it gives a cool fountain with illumination.
Many of the Harbin hotels have facades turned to the river, and from their windows offer magnificent views of the Sungari and its promenade.
5
Zhunen Dojo
The central street of the city, stretching from Yangwei Zi Street to Stalin's Park, is the real “Arbat” Harbin. This name was fixed in the 20s of the last century, when Manchuria became the place of white emigration of Russian officers.
The pedestrian street is rich in numerous souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, where Japanese, European and Chinese cuisine is presented. It's nice to walk along it among beautiful buildings, but in winter you can ride a horse or dog sled along the Zhongen Dojo.
The so-called white Harbin has become an important part of the history of the city. Arbat in Harbin has become the main attraction and the most colorful and beautiful part of the Chinese city.
6
Stalin Park
The city is especially beautiful in the summer, when the city is literally immersed in greenery, and Harbin's parks invite you to stroll along its shady alleys. Especially beautiful is the Stalin Park, which stretches along the promenade.
During the construction of the railway, warehouses were located at this place, and then decided to set up a park. After the death of Joseph Stalin, the park, simply called "Embankment", was renamed in honor of the head of the Soviet state.
Today, this park has become one of the favorite vacation spots of both local residents and numerous tourists, especially for those who come to Harbin with children.
7
Island of the sun
The park has spread its alleys, paths and unique architectural compositions on a small island of the Sungari River. You can reach the amazing place by ferry, as well as use the services of gondoliers.
The park is especially beautiful in March, when the air is filled with spring freshness and everything blooms. In winter, the island becomes the venue for the festival of ice figures.
There is a small zoo in the territory where animals live, which you will not meet in natural conditions in this part of the planet.
8
Park "Window to Europe and Asia"
It is worth mentioning a unique park with such an original name, because Harbin really became a merger of two cultures, two lifestyles.
In this amazing place, every visitor can take a trip around the world, and for a short period of time visit different parts of our planet.
There is also the majestic Sphinx, and the strict walls of the Moscow Kremlin, as well as numerous sights of other countries of the immense world.
9
Tiger Safari Park
A unique reserve, spread over an area of 114 m², offers everyone to plunge into the wild world of Amur tigers. Of course, the sight is not for the faint of heart, but it's worth it.
A bus runs through the territory of the park, which is sheathed with an iron grate to protect passengers. In the park, in a specially created natural environment, tigers live, and at any moment they find themselves near the bus.
Here you can buy meat and feed the graceful majestic predators.
10
Museum "Detachment 731"
To tell the story of Harbin you need to write a separate article, but to tell about the Museum "Detachment 731" is absolutely necessary.
The tragic pages of the history of the Japanese occupation are frozen in the walls and expositions of the museum. Black and white photographs and objects tell about the terrible experiments that were carried out here on people during the Second World War.
It was here that the Japanese in the late 30s began to conduct research on the conduct of biological warfare, and the preparations obtained were tested in humans.
11
Harbin Opera House
Looking at the architecture and the exterior design of this building, it is hard to imagine that an opera house was located within its walls. The building in the form of a huge octopus, built in 2015 by the project of MAD, became a real decoration of the Chinese city.
The world stars of opera perform in the concert hall, and prestigious international competitions of opera art and song festivals are also held.
The building is built directly by the water, which creates a magnificent architectural and natural ensemble.
12
Northeastern University of Forestry
Harbin today is not only cultural and economic, but also a large educational center of northeast China. Harbin universities are famous for their high level of education and quality of teaching.
An architectural monument of the twentieth century rises above the city a monumental building of the University of Forest, founded in Harbin in 1952. Today it is the world's largest institution of this type.
The university itself is spread over an area of 136 hectares, and is a unique campus, where, in addition to buildings, there are experimental sites.
13
TV Tower "Dragon"
One of the main attractions of the city is the tower with the beautiful name Dragon. It soared up to a height of 336 m. Naturally, its main function is to provide television and radio broadcasts, but it is also popular as a tourist attraction.
Its viewing platforms offer magnificent views of the city, all areas of Harbin and its environs. In addition, you can have a delicious lunch in the tower restaurant, and enjoy wonderful coffee in the cafe. There are also extreme swings.
On the ground floors there is an exposition of wax figures of Chinese emperors and famous people of China. Also, exhibitions of Chinese art and national traditions are constantly held.
14
"Da Dinshan"
60 kilometers from Harbin, a unique water park is built on hot springs, which offers its visitors a range of diverse services and entertainment.
In addition to numerous swimming pools and entertainment areas, Da Dingshan also has massage rooms, spa salons, saunas, where you can perfectly improve your health and even undergo treatment.
On the territory of the water park there is a whole network of restaurants and children's cafes, as well as souvenir and grocery stores.
15
Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival
There are parks and squares, unique markets, shopping centers, clubs and museums anywhere in the world, but what really sets Harbin apart from a number of world cities is the annual ice and snow festival.
It began to be held in 1963, and tourists from all over the world come to Harbin to see the unique sculptures created by craftsmen from ice and snow.
By tradition, it is opened on January 5 and for a month you can admire the masterpieces of ice, skiing, taste exotic dishes of oriental cuisine, and even swim in the ice hole of the Sungari River.
16
Harbin Metro
Like any other modern metropolis, Harbin has a developed public transport network. And like any large city, and its population exceeds 10 million people, it has its own metro.
Harbin Metro is quite young, it was launched in 2013. And although the stations are not replete with luxury, nevertheless, from the point of view of architectural and artistic composition, they are made very high quality. This applies to both input nodes and waiting rooms.
So our journey through the wonderful and beautiful city came to an end, and as you can see, there is something to see in Harbin.
Mention should be made of the numerous cult sights of the capital of the province of Heilongjiang, but our site will tell about the temples of Harbin in a separate article.
But to understand and learn more about the life of Russians in Harbin, be sure to read George Melikhov's book White Harbin.
Article author: Valery Skiba