Harbin

Harbin (哈尔滨; Hā'ěrbīn) is the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China. The city is notable for its Russian influence and the yearly Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, giving it the unofficial title Ice City.

Harbin is China's northernmost major city, with a population in excess of 10 million, and over 4 million in the city center alone. The city has been influenced a lot by neighboring Russia, in particular after the Russian Revolution of 1917, when the White Russians, Russians who supported the czarist state, escaped the newly formed Soviet Union. The influence remains clearly visible in the building styles and foods.

The city was founded in 1897 as a camp for Russian engineers surveying the Trans-Siberian Railway. Labor demands brought in a collection of outcasts from across Russia, Poland and even from within Manchuria. The city was captured by the Japanese during World War II and later captured by the Chinese in 1946. Once nothing more than a Russian-built outpost of the railway line, Harbin has managed to become a major player in its own right and the capital of Heilongjiang Province.

Northeastern China was built up as an industrial center using existing Soviet and Japanese factories. By the 1980s these outdated and inefficient factories could not keep up. To further complicate matters, starting in the early 1990s, large portions of China's state-owned enterprise workers were laid off. Thus, like many other cities in this region, contemporary Harbin is struggling with an aging work force and unemployment. Private enterprise is mostly centered in the service sector, retail, restaurants, etc. with most large scale enterprises still state-owned. However, the province has thousands of state-owned enterprises up for sale, and many have been purchased since the late 1990s. Universities in Harbin also play a vital role in the economy in education and research and through their subsidiary companies.

In 2005 there was a major pollution spill on the Songhua river.

Harbin is known for its very cold winters: it is at the same latitude as Montreal, and winter temperatures as low as −38 °C (−36 °F) have been recorded; in January, temperatures average -24 °C to −12 °C. Bring more clothes than you will think you will need so that you can layer. Winter can become dreary if you are a long-term resident, as the entire city uses coal for heat; air quality rapidly decreases during these months. But it's not as bad as Beijing, many locals wear their masks not for the pollution, but for the ice-cold wind and the frosty temperatures to heat up the air they breathe.

Harbin can be a great place to visit in the summer, with daytime temperatures normally in the upper 20s °C. Compared with most places in China, the weather is cool and it seems to be perpetually breezy, and most of the city's streets are lined with trees. Because the city is so cold all winter, life almost explodes and people crowd the streets until late at night eating kabobs, playing poker, and drinking Harbin Beer (哈啤 Hapi). This is a great escape from the heat of Beijing. A trip up to the border regions this time of year would be nice as well.

• Russian Buildings. Harbin's old quarter, which covers a wide area of the city near the Songhua River, is still today mostly made up of buildings that were constructed by the Russians at the turn of the 19th century. Most of them are built in baroque or byzantine style with spires and cupolas and interesting shades of yellow, white, green, or red. While St. Sophia is known as the main architectural attraction to the city, areas of the city such as Harbin's old quarter are made up of buildings that have been left untouched since the Russians left. While most of these streets are fairly decrepit and in need of repair, at least the area has been free from the wrecking ball like many other historical districts in China. Only because Harbin has yet to attract the world's investment.
• Zhongyang Dajie. Pretty much closes by 22:00 (weekend nights included). This cobblestone lined street is a pedestrian only street that could serve as a perfect remnant of the bustling international business activities at the turn of the 20th century. The 1.4-km long street is a veritable museum of European architectural styles, including Baroque and Byzantine façades, Jewish architectural wonders, a Russian restaurant, French fashion houses (Fake Chinese Brands), American snack food outlets (Mcdonalds and KFC and a Chinese owned "American Bar"), and a Japanese restaurant. In winter, one can walk out onto the ice or take a dog sledge or horse sledge ride. It is the prettiest site in Harbin as far as the city itself is concerned, however, if you go mid-day during the weekend be prepared to push through the crowds.
• Old Quarter. A section of the city just west of Zhongyang Dajie is still dominated by Russian buildings built around the turn of the century. Not well maintained but an interesting walk and you can maybe find Russian antiques in some of the thrift stores.

Russian Buildings. Harbin's old quarter, which covers a wide area of the city near the Songhua River, is still today mostly made up of buildings that were constructed by the Russians at the turn of the 19th century. Most of them are built in baroque or byzantine style with spires and cupolas and interesting shades of yellow, white, green, or red. While St. Sophia is known as the main architectural attraction to the city, areas of the city such as Harbin's old quarter are made up of buildings that have been left untouched since the Russians left. While most of these streets are fairly decrepit and in need of repair, at least the area has been free from the wrecking ball like many other historical districts in China. Only because Harbin has yet to attract the world's investment.

Zhongyang Dajie. Pretty much closes by 22:00 (weekend nights included). This cobblestone lined street is a pedestrian only street that could serve as a perfect remnant of the bustling international business activities at the turn of the 20th century. The 1.4-km long street is a veritable museum of European architectural styles, including Baroque and Byzantine façades, Jewish architectural wonders, a Russian restaurant, French fashion houses (Fake Chinese Brands), American snack food outlets (Mcdonalds and KFC and a Chinese owned "American Bar"), and a Japanese restaurant. In winter, one can walk out onto the ice or take a dog sledge or horse sledge ride. It is the prettiest site in Harbin as far as the city itself is concerned, however, if you go mid-day during the weekend be prepared to push through the crowds.

Old Quarter. A section of the city just west of Zhongyang Dajie is still dominated by Russian buildings built around the turn of the century. Not well maintained but an interesting walk and you can maybe find Russian antiques in some of the thrift stores.

• St. Sophia Cathedral. One of the few still standing Orthodox churches in the city. It is now converted into a Harbin Museum of Architecture. Inside there are exhibitions of many photographs from old times. Definitely worth going into, however, if you are used to European Churches do not expect the quality. ¥20.
• Harbin Jewish New Synagogue, 162 Jing Wei Jie. Has been restored and contains an impressive collection detailing the history of Jews in Harbin. There were 20,000 at one point and the synagogue is well worth a visit. Further up Tong Jiang Jie is the old synagogue that is now a youth hostel and cafe, with the old Jewish school next door -both worth a detour to look at from the outside. ¥25.

• Temple of Heavenly Bliss, Dongdazhi Street (东大直街; Dōngdàzhíjiē) (In the eastern part of the city. Large and active Buddhist temple. ¥10.
• Harbin Confucius Temple, 25 Wenmiao Street (文庙街25号) (right beside the campus of the Harbin Engineering University, about 1km east of the Harbin Engineering University metro station on Line 1, +86 451 82538438. 08ː30-16ː30, closed on Wednesdays. This Confucius temple is one of the largest of its kind in northeast China. Free.

St. Sophia Cathedral. One of the few still standing Orthodox churches in the city. It is now converted into a Harbin Museum of Architecture. Inside there are exhibitions of many photographs from old times. Definitely worth going into, however, if you are used to European Churches do not expect the quality. ¥20.

Harbin Jewish New Synagogue, 162 Jing Wei Jie. Has been restored and contains an impressive collection detailing the history of Jews in Harbin. There were 20,000 at one point and the synagogue is well worth a visit. Further up Tong Jiang Jie is the old synagogue that is now a youth hostel and cafe, with the old Jewish school next door -both worth a detour to look at from the outside. ¥25.

Temple of Heavenly Bliss, Dongdazhi Street (东大直街; Dōngdàzhíjiē) (In the eastern part of the city. Large and active Buddhist temple. ¥10.

Harbin Confucius Temple, 25 Wenmiao Street (文庙街25号) (right beside the campus of the Harbin Engineering University, about 1km east of the Harbin Engineering University metro station on Line 1, +86 451 82538438. 08ː30-16ː30, closed on Wednesdays. This Confucius temple is one of the largest of its kind in northeast China. Free.

• LaoDaoWai. LaoDaoWai used to be the poorest part in Harbin. A century ago there were only two districts in Harbin, east (DaoLi, "Dao" means Avenue, and "Li" means inside.) and west (DaoWai, "Wai" means outside). The rich expats lived in the east part, and the poor locals lived in the west part. In the early 1920s, some Chinese businessmen started their business in the area. The constructions they built around that period were combined with Chinese elements, such as crane and peony designs, and baroque styles, and form a unique "Chinese Baroque" architectural style. In 2014, the government renewed the area and now it is a tourist site.
  Nowadays, LaoDaoWai ("Lao" means old.) is an area for one to experience "local's" lives (that means the unique architectural style, and food, food, food, food, and food). The area is vaguely defined within Shengping St 升平街 (north), Jingyang St 景阳街 (west), Nanxun St 南勋街 (south), and Nanershi St 南二十街道 (east). If you are confused for where to start with, at Jingyang St, in between Nanxun St and Jingyu St 靖宇街, there is a later-made entrance for the LaoDaoWai area. Start from there and walk to the east, and you will see all the small streets cross one another. There are many doors (locals call them "MenDong" 门洞), which from the first sight might look like private property, in between small stores. Walk through the doors and you will reach the garden inside and the next street.
  There are countless snack bars and restaurants in the area, and they are a main attraction. Keep in mind the snack bars are by Chinese definition, and many are small with few tables. They are the taste of Harbin and very popular. But in case you expect western styles (air condition, waitors speak/menu in your native languages, etc.), do not bother to go. Also if you are one of those count calories for every bite, do not go either, since watching others eating while you cannot eat is unhealthy.
  Some of the popular nosheries are (from west to east):
  Zhang's Stuffed Bun 张包铺 at the cross of Nanxun St and Naner St 南二街. Most popular dishes are rib buns 排骨包, tofu bun 豆腐包. At its busy time expect to share table with others.
  Li's Grilled Meat 李家扒肉馆 at No.25 BeiDaLiuDao St 北大六道街 is for meat lover. Feel how the pork melts inside your mouth.
  Nanbashun 南八顺 at Nanba St 南八街. Similar with hot pot. At Nanba St there is also a good pancake store. You can schedule your next on diet period after the visit.
  LaoRenYi Restaurant 清真老仁义饭店 with several branches is an old and popular halal restaurant. Must try includes steamed dumplings.
  At Shiliudao St 十六道街 there is an old market, with BBQ insects.

LaoDaoWai. LaoDaoWai used to be the poorest part in Harbin. A century ago there were only two districts in Harbin, east (DaoLi, "Dao" means Avenue, and "Li" means inside.) and west (DaoWai, "Wai" means outside). The rich expats lived in the east part, and the poor locals lived in the west part. In the early 1920s, some Chinese businessmen started their business in the area. The constructions they built around that period were combined with Chinese elements, such as crane and peony designs, and baroque styles, and form a unique "Chinese Baroque" architectural style. In 2014, the government renewed the area and now it is a tourist site.
Nowadays, LaoDaoWai ("Lao" means old.) is an area for one to experience "local's" lives (that means the unique architectural style, and food, food, food, food, and food). The area is vaguely defined within Shengping St 升平街 (north), Jingyang St 景阳街 (west), Nanxun St 南勋街 (south), and Nanershi St 南二十街道 (east). If you are confused for where to start with, at Jingyang St, in between Nanxun St and Jingyu St 靖宇街, there is a later-made entrance for the LaoDaoWai area. Start from there and walk to the east, and you will see all the small streets cross one another. There are many doors (locals call them "MenDong" 门洞), which from the first sight might look like private property, in between small stores. Walk through the doors and you will reach the garden inside and the next street.
There are countless snack bars and restaurants in the area, and they are a main attraction. Keep in mind the snack bars are by Chinese definition, and many are small with few tables. They are the taste of Harbin and very popular. But in case you expect western styles (air condition, waitors speak/menu in your native languages, etc.), do not bother to go. Also if you are one of those count calories for every bite, do not go either, since watching others eating while you cannot eat is unhealthy.
Some of the popular nosheries are (from west to east):
Zhang's Stuffed Bun 张包铺 at the cross of Nanxun St and Naner St 南二街. Most popular dishes are rib buns 排骨包, tofu bun 豆腐包. At its busy time expect to share table with others.
Li's Grilled Meat 李家扒肉馆 at No.25 BeiDaLiuDao St 北大六道街 is for meat lover. Feel how the pork melts inside your mouth.
Nanbashun 南八顺 at Nanba St 南八街. Similar with hot pot. At Nanba St there is also a good pancake store. You can schedule your next on diet period after the visit.
LaoRenYi Restaurant 清真老仁义饭店 with several branches is an old and popular halal restaurant. Must try includes steamed dumplings.
At Shiliudao St 十六道街 there is an old market, with BBQ insects.

• Siberian Tiger Park. This is without a doubt Harbin's "must see". Not for the faint hearted or obsessive animal lovers. There are literally hundreds of tigers in several huge pens. If you want to go by bus instead of taking a taxi, take the 88 line (facing the train station, walk into the small street on your left for 300 m before seeing the bus stop) to Shangye Daxue 商业大学. It should take about 30 minutes, and it is the third stop after the long stretch of highway crossing the river. Then, take the 54 bus towards the same direction, and you will see the entrance to the Tiger Park on your right after 5 minutes or so. For just ¥100 (¥90 to get in and another ¥10 for the bus) you can ride in an open bus with metal caging around it. The ride is about an hour long and while on the bus you can purchase strips of meat (¥10) to hand feed the tigers. Live chickens (¥50), pheasants (¥100), ducks (¥100), goats (¥600) and even cows (somewhere around US$200).
• Riverbank Park. Long tree covered walkway that stretches the city-side banks of the Songhua river, a really nice and pleasant walk.
• Sun Island. Park offering a pleasant to stroll during the warmer months and on the weekends newly married couples can be seen taking pictures. In the winter it becomes part of the snow sculpture festivities. However, as with everything in Harbin, the park is still very Chinese with a cage full of squirrels, a petting deer area (just have to buy them some food), go carts, a pond that is just full of turtles, and newly weds sporting bright colored dresses.
• Zhaolin Park, Youyi Lu and Shangzhi Jie. During the winter this park houses ice sculptures for the festivals, but during the off season, it is a pleasant stroll as well.
• Grape Kingdom. A live operating "organic farm" that has expansive grape and corn fields. In the fall you can enter the fields and pick as many fresh grapes as you want and watch how the Chinese process corn.

Siberian Tiger Park. This is without a doubt Harbin's "must see". Not for the faint hearted or obsessive animal lovers. There are literally hundreds of tigers in several huge pens. If you want to go by bus instead of taking a taxi, take the 88 line (facing the train station, walk into the small street on your left for 300 m before seeing the bus stop) to Shangye Daxue 商业大学. It should take about 30 minutes, and it is the third stop after the long stretch of highway crossing the river. Then, take the 54 bus towards the same direction, and you will see the entrance to the Tiger Park on your right after 5 minutes or so. For just ¥100 (¥90 to get in and another ¥10 for the bus) you can ride in an open bus with metal caging around it. The ride is about an hour long and while on the bus you can purchase strips of meat (¥10) to hand feed the tigers. Live chickens (¥50), pheasants (¥100), ducks (¥100), goats (¥600) and even cows (somewhere around US$200).

Riverbank Park. Long tree covered walkway that stretches the city-side banks of the Songhua river, a really nice and pleasant walk.

Sun Island. Park offering a pleasant to stroll during the warmer months and on the weekends newly married couples can be seen taking pictures. In the winter it becomes part of the snow sculpture festivities. However, as with everything in Harbin, the park is still very Chinese with a cage full of squirrels, a petting deer area (just have to buy them some food), go carts, a pond that is just full of turtles, and newly weds sporting bright colored dresses.

Zhaolin Park, Youyi Lu and Shangzhi Jie. During the winter this park houses ice sculptures for the festivals, but during the off season, it is a pleasant stroll as well.

Grape Kingdom. A live operating "organic farm" that has expansive grape and corn fields. In the fall you can enter the fields and pick as many fresh grapes as you want and watch how the Chinese process corn.

• Flood Control Monument. Built to commemorate the several floods of the Songhua River.
• Unit 731 Museum, Pingfang District (平房区) (It is about an hourlong bus ride from the city center (Bus 220, 338 or the slower 343 from near the train station on Tielu Jie, get off at 双拥路 and walk around the corner to the right), +86 451 87108731. Closes at 16:30 (last entry is at 15:30),the museum is completely closed on Mondays. A grim reminder of what happened during the Japanese occupation to over 2,000 prisoners of war. The museum, which is out in the suburbs, tells the story of these individuals although its displays are limited. Free.
• Heilongjiang Provincial Museum, 64 Hong Jun Street, Nangang District (南岗区红军街64号) (Metro Line 1, Museum Station Exit 1, +86 451-53644151. October 8th to March 31st: 9AM-4PM; April 1st to October 7th: 9AM-4:30PM. Built in 1922 and claims to have over 14,000 pieces of relics, but it's not well kept. Free (but remember to bring your ID).
• The Liao & Jin History Museum of Heilongjiang, Level 7, Qiulin International Shopping Centre, 320 Dongdazhijie, Nangang District (南岗区东大直街320号 秋林国际购物中心7层) (Metro Line 1, Museum Station Exit 3A, +86 451 87157177. 9:30-17:00. As the name indicates, this museum focuses on the history of the Liao and Jin dynasties. It is said to contain over 10,000 artefacts. ¥60.
• Heilongjiang Art Museum, 97 Diduan Street, Daoli District (道里区地段街97号) (The nearest bus stop is Zhaolin Street (兆麟街), which is served by bus routes 1, 5, 20, 53, 61, 85, 113, 114, 130, 131, 132, 136 and 206, +86 451 83152297. 09ː00-16ː00. Free.
• Heilongjiang Science and Technology Museum, 1458 Taiyang Avenue, Songbei District (松北区太阳大道1458号) (In the southern part of Sun Island. The nearest bus stop is the Taiyang Avenue Intersection (太阳大道口), which is served by multiple bus routes, including routes 29, 42, 43, 47, 80, 119, 125, 126, 127, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 219, 223, 225, 226, 346, 551, 552 and several others, +86 451 88190966. 09ː00-16ː00, closed on Mondays. Free.

Flood Control Monument. Built to commemorate the several floods of the Songhua River.

Unit 731 Museum, Pingfang District (平房区) (It is about an hourlong bus ride from the city center (Bus 220, 338 or the slower 343 from near the train station on Tielu Jie, get off at 双拥路 and walk around the corner to the right), +86 451 87108731. Closes at 16:30 (last entry is at 15:30),the museum is completely closed on Mondays. A grim reminder of what happened during the Japanese occupation to over 2,000 prisoners of war. The museum, which is out in the suburbs, tells the story of these individuals although its displays are limited. Free.

Heilongjiang Provincial Museum, 64 Hong Jun Street, Nangang District (南岗区红军街64号) (Metro Line 1, Museum Station Exit 1, +86 451-53644151. October 8th to March 31st: 9AM-4PM; April 1st to October 7th: 9AM-4:30PM. Built in 1922 and claims to have over 14,000 pieces of relics, but it's not well kept. Free (but remember to bring your ID).

The Liao & Jin History Museum of Heilongjiang, Level 7, Qiulin International Shopping Centre, 320 Dongdazhijie, Nangang District (南岗区东大直街320号 秋林国际购物中心7层) (Metro Line 1, Museum Station Exit 3A, +86 451 87157177. 9:30-17:00. As the name indicates, this museum focuses on the history of the Liao and Jin dynasties. It is said to contain over 10,000 artefacts. ¥60.

Heilongjiang Art Museum, 97 Diduan Street, Daoli District (道里区地段街97号) (The nearest bus stop is Zhaolin Street (兆麟街), which is served by bus routes 1, 5, 20, 53, 61, 85, 113, 114, 130, 131, 132, 136 and 206, +86 451 83152297. 09ː00-16ː00. Free.

Heilongjiang Science and Technology Museum, 1458 Taiyang Avenue, Songbei District (松北区太阳大道1458号) (In the southern part of Sun Island. The nearest bus stop is the Taiyang Avenue Intersection (太阳大道口), which is served by multiple bus routes, including routes 29, 42, 43, 47, 80, 119, 125, 126, 127, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 219, 223, 225, 226, 346, 551, 552 and several others, +86 451 88190966. 09ː00-16ː00, closed on Mondays. Free.

• Dragon TV Tower. Tallest steel structure in northeastern Asia. Only built for the Chinese need of having something as the biggest and the best. Somewhere along the way they forgot to add any pleasant looking qualities to it. There is a revolving restaurant on top and views of the city. You can walk outside at the top and even strap on a harness for a thrill.
• Gondola ride over Songhua River, access point is the Sun Island Park. A nice way to work your way back from Sun Island in a gondola car that takes you over the banks of the Songhua. ¥35-50.
• Songhua River Bridge. Built in 1900, this bridge was the first bridge across the Songhua river in Harbin and has served the railway system for more than 100 years. In 2016, with the opening of a new bridge nearby, it was converted into a pedestrian bridge for visitors. free.

Dragon TV Tower. Tallest steel structure in northeastern Asia. Only built for the Chinese need of having something as the biggest and the best. Somewhere along the way they forgot to add any pleasant looking qualities to it. There is a revolving restaurant on top and views of the city. You can walk outside at the top and even strap on a harness for a thrill.

Gondola ride over Songhua River, access point is the Sun Island Park. A nice way to work your way back from Sun Island in a gondola car that takes you over the banks of the Songhua. ¥35-50.

Songhua River Bridge. Built in 1900, this bridge was the first bridge across the Songhua river in Harbin and has served the railway system for more than 100 years. In 2016, with the opening of a new bridge nearby, it was converted into a pedestrian bridge for visitors. free.

By far Harbin's biggest claim to fame, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (哈尔滨国际冰雪节; Hā'ěrbīn Guójì Bīngxuě Jié) is held every year, running from early January until warm weather erodes the constructions (exact dates vary). Throughout the city you will find small ice and snow sculptures during the festival, however there are three major sites with large ice and snow sculptures on display.

The major sites for the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival include:

• Ice and Snow World, North side of the river, west from Sun Island (Take bus 47 from Daoli 12 Daojie station (道里十二道街站). 09:00-21:30. Large buildings and sculptures made of ice. Best viewed after sunset. This festival is one of the main reasons people come to Harbin in winter. ¥330 (students ¥160, admission is ¥100 before 13:30).
• Ice Festival, Zhaolin Park, in the city center at Zhaolin Park, south side of the river. 13:30-21:30. Rather small exhibits compared to the other two main festivals. Best viewed after dusk. ¥200 (Students: ¥80, admission is cheaper before 13:30).
• Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Fair, on Sun Island, north side of the river (Just a few steps from the Sun Island gondola station or just cross the frozen river by feet. 08:00-17:00. Beautifully carved snow sculptures, massive dimensions. However, if you plan to visit the Ice and Snow World then this is not a must see. Pretty expensive for what you get to see and all other activities in the park are extra. ¥240 (students ¥120).

Ice and Snow World, North side of the river, west from Sun Island (Take bus 47 from Daoli 12 Daojie station (道里十二道街站). 09:00-21:30. Large buildings and sculptures made of ice. Best viewed after sunset. This festival is one of the main reasons people come to Harbin in winter. ¥330 (students ¥160, admission is ¥100 before 13:30).

Ice Festival, Zhaolin Park, in the city center at Zhaolin Park, south side of the river. 13:30-21:30. Rather small exhibits compared to the other two main festivals. Best viewed after dusk. ¥200 (Students: ¥80, admission is cheaper before 13:30).

Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Fair, on Sun Island, north side of the river (Just a few steps from the Sun Island gondola station or just cross the frozen river by feet. 08:00-17:00. Beautifully carved snow sculptures, massive dimensions. However, if you plan to visit the Ice and Snow World then this is not a must see. Pretty expensive for what you get to see and all other activities in the park are extra. ¥240 (students ¥120).

• Harbin Summer Music Festival. Held every two years in July (next will be in 2018), this festival is organized by the city and brings in famous Chinese bands for free concerts held in the city square.
• Harbin International Beer Festival. Held in late August of every year. The city takes a break and honors the local "Harbin Beer" for a week. A whole public square is cordoned off and there are stages that host music concerts and dance contests. Most of the beer drunk is the local Harbin brew, but there is a tent for international beers. In the summer of 2005 a number of the foreigners in the city assembled a "drinking team" and ended up getting into a drunken brawl with some locals and got hauled away by the police.

Harbin Summer Music Festival. Held every two years in July (next will be in 2018), this festival is organized by the city and brings in famous Chinese bands for free concerts held in the city square.

Harbin International Beer Festival. Held in late August of every year. The city takes a break and honors the local "Harbin Beer" for a week. A whole public square is cordoned off and there are stages that host music concerts and dance contests. Most of the beer drunk is the local Harbin brew, but there is a tent for international beers. In the summer of 2005 a number of the foreigners in the city assembled a "drinking team" and ended up getting into a drunken brawl with some locals and got hauled away by the police.

• Sauna/bath houses. Literally all over the city. Many local people do not shower in their own apartments but use these public shower houses instead. There are upscale, midrange, and low end places. Check with a 5-star hotel to get the most up to date facility for the type you prefer. Upscale spas will cost about ¥120 plus additional ¥200 and up for a massage. Low end ones cost ¥30 plus an additional ¥100 for massages. Shanghai Tan (上海摊; Shànghǎitān) and Jiannianhua (嘉年华; Jiāniánhuá) are two of Harbin's longest established sauna/bath houses, but nowadays their facilities are entirely neglected as new entrants divert customers.
• WB International Movie Theatre, Zhongyang Dajie Wal-mart. ¥50 plus for tickets.

Sauna/bath houses. Literally all over the city. Many local people do not shower in their own apartments but use these public shower houses instead. There are upscale, midrange, and low end places. Check with a 5-star hotel to get the most up to date facility for the type you prefer. Upscale spas will cost about ¥120 plus additional ¥200 and up for a massage. Low end ones cost ¥30 plus an additional ¥100 for massages. Shanghai Tan (上海摊; Shànghǎitān) and Jiannianhua (嘉年华; Jiāniánhuá) are two of Harbin's longest established sauna/bath houses, but nowadays their facilities are entirely neglected as new entrants divert customers.

WB International Movie Theatre, Zhongyang Dajie Wal-mart. ¥50 plus for tickets.

• Yangge Traditional Chinese Dance. You will notice that during the warmer months (and even sometimes in the winter) there will be legions of senior citizens out on the street doing a group dance complete with drumming and costumes. This is called niu yang ge and if you are adventurous just jump in and dance along!
• Bowling. Very popular among the Chinese in Harbin. Most of the larger hotels have a bowling alley. There is also a bowling club behind the Sino Way hotel with 2 floors and pool tables.
• Swimming. Believe it or not, people swim in the Songhua during the winter, but after all the pollution spills, it's probably not even safe to swim during the summer. If you are looking for a clean pool to swim in, try the pool at the Shangri-La Hotel or Heilongjiang University.
• Haerbin Grecism International Health Club, 95 Hayao Road (道里区哈药路95号; Dàolǐqūhāyàolù). One of Harbin's nicest health clubs that includes a full pool, American workout equipment, sauna and hot tub, indoor track and cafe. Membership is expensive.
• Fitness Ark Health Club, 3rd floor of Hate Mall, 118 Xidazhi Jie (南岗区西大直街118号哈特) (Near HIT. This is a great and cheap health club. Foreign students and teachers hang out here.

Yangge Traditional Chinese Dance. You will notice that during the warmer months (and even sometimes in the winter) there will be legions of senior citizens out on the street doing a group dance complete with drumming and costumes. This is called niu yang ge and if you are adventurous just jump in and dance along!

Bowling. Very popular among the Chinese in Harbin. Most of the larger hotels have a bowling alley. There is also a bowling club behind the Sino Way hotel with 2 floors and pool tables.

Swimming. Believe it or not, people swim in the Songhua during the winter, but after all the pollution spills, it's probably not even safe to swim during the summer. If you are looking for a clean pool to swim in, try the pool at the Shangri-La Hotel or Heilongjiang University.

Haerbin Grecism International Health Club, 95 Hayao Road (道里区哈药路95号; Dàolǐqūhāyàolù). One of Harbin's nicest health clubs that includes a full pool, American workout equipment, sauna and hot tub, indoor track and cafe. Membership is expensive.

Fitness Ark Health Club, 3rd floor of Hate Mall, 118 Xidazhi Jie (南岗区西大直街118号哈特) (Near HIT. This is a great and cheap health club. Foreign students and teachers hang out here.

Imported Russian goods of all types and qualities are available from tourist shops around town. Look out for vodka, Russian dolls, and chocolate. The local Chinese appeared to have picked up some aspects of Russian cuisine, with western style bread and sausage available around town. Beyond this, the shopping is much like any other city in China.

• Churin Shopping Center 秋林公司 No.319 Dongdazhi St. Bowuguan Metro Station 2 or 3A Exits. Founded in 1900, Churin is an icon of Harbin. The underground floor of the shopping center sells the most famous red sausage and хлеб ("Lieba 列吧“the big Russian bread). Also do remember to try the non-alcoholic drink brewed from Lieba, Da Lieba Gewasi 大列巴格瓦斯.
• Zhongyang Dajie The main shopping district is along Zhongyang Dajie where there is a Wal-Mart near the flood control monument and another shopping district along Guogeli Jie where you can find clothing, food and more. Along this street are huge new shopping malls such as the Euro Plaza, Parksons, and Lane Crawford that carry international brands and are expensive. There are Nike stores, KFC and interesting Russian thrift stores. The street is lined with beer gardens during the summer.

However in winter, the shops closed quite early due to bitter cold.

• Guogeli Dajie (果戈里大街). Harbin's second biggest shopping district after Zhongyang Dajie (bigger in size). The area around here is dotted with Russian buildings and HUGE shopping complexes. At night there are numerous night markets, a small scale Russian church where people dance, and a small and lively "bar lake."
• Indian Street (印度一条街). A commercial side street right off Guogeli Dajie. If you're facing the East, it's past the giant castle and on your right. Used to be complete with Indian thrift stores, clothing, and food, but now offers only Russian items, including dolls, pocketknives and toys. But don't expect any Indian restaurants as there aren't any yet.

Most ATM's around the city work with international cards, such as the Bank of China and the China Merchants Bank.

• Western Union, in almost every China Post 中国邮政 zhongguo youzheng and Agricultural Bank 农业银行 nongye yinhang, look for the yellow western union sign. 西联汇款 xilian huikuan in Chinese
• Bank of China Heilongjiang Branch, No.19, Hongjun Jie, +86 451 3633518-8111. This is the only bank in the city where you can exchange Travelers Checks.

Western Union, in almost every China Post 中国邮政 zhongguo youzheng and Agricultural Bank 农业银行 nongye yinhang, look for the yellow western union sign. 西联汇款 xilian huikuan in Chinese

Bank of China Heilongjiang Branch, No.19, Hongjun Jie, +86 451 3633518-8111. This is the only bank in the city where you can exchange Travelers Checks.

• The Hongbo Shichang, at the intersection of Dong Dazhi Jie and Hongjun Jie, is an enormous underground shopping center—if they don't have it, you don't need it.
• Harbin Sex Store/Museum on Guogeli Dajie sells all sorts of sex materials and toys. Kind of unexpected for conservative China.
• Pirate DVDs A large DVD store occupies a corner in the basement of the Jiaohua Electronics Market (教化电子市场). All DVD's are around ¥6 and arranged alphabetically. Opposite from the Harbin Institute of Technology's main gate (哈工大正门对面) and across the street from Buy Now Hui. Be sure and buy the DVDs sold in the main store, and not at the numerous small kiosks that take up the rest of the basement.

The Hongbo Shichang, at the intersection of Dong Dazhi Jie and Hongjun Jie, is an enormous underground shopping center—if they don't have it, you don't need it.

Harbin Sex Store/Museum on Guogeli Dajie sells all sorts of sex materials and toys. Kind of unexpected for conservative China.

Pirate DVDs A large DVD store occupies a corner in the basement of the Jiaohua Electronics Market (教化电子市场). All DVD's are around ¥6 and arranged alphabetically. Opposite from the Harbin Institute of Technology's main gate (哈工大正门对面) and across the street from Buy Now Hui. Be sure and buy the DVDs sold in the main store, and not at the numerous small kiosks that take up the rest of the basement.

• Sofia Jintaiyang Fashion City (金太阳索菲亚精品城) around the corner from St. Sophia Church (道里区地段街) is Haerbin's answer to Beijing's Xidan. Multi story fashion market lined with small stalls selling the hottest fashions from China at cheap prices.
• Hongbo Century Square (红博世纪广场) not to be confused with the underground market, this is a huge mall in the basement of the Harbin exhibition center. There is also a fried chicken chain from Texas. There are daily fashion model shows.
• Chinese Military Surplus Clothing Looking for a comfy cold weather jacket like the Chinese wear? There are a number of stores around the city. One is towards the end of Xidazhi Jie near the Harbin Institute of Technology.
• Western Brands The shopping malls at Hongbo and Zhongyang Dajie have everything from Gucci, Brooks Brothers, and Zegna to Timberland and Adidas. Items are internationally priced.

Sofia Jintaiyang Fashion City (金太阳索菲亚精品城) around the corner from St. Sophia Church (道里区地段街) is Haerbin's answer to Beijing's Xidan. Multi story fashion market lined with small stalls selling the hottest fashions from China at cheap prices.

Hongbo Century Square (红博世纪广场) not to be confused with the underground market, this is a huge mall in the basement of the Harbin exhibition center. There is also a fried chicken chain from Texas. There are daily fashion model shows.

Chinese Military Surplus Clothing Looking for a comfy cold weather jacket like the Chinese wear? There are a number of stores around the city. One is towards the end of Xidazhi Jie near the Harbin Institute of Technology.

Western Brands The shopping malls at Hongbo and Zhongyang Dajie have everything from Gucci, Brooks Brothers, and Zegna to Timberland and Adidas. Items are internationally priced.

• Carrefour. There are several other Carrefours in the city.
• Watsons right on Zhongyang Dajie this small convenient store has every health care product you can think of including western deodorants (not true, I was just there today) and shampoo. If you're in the city just for a few days and you need something quick it's fine, but if you plan to stay in Harbin longer, find yourself a Chinese convenient store. Watsons has a lot of European and American Brands but also the multiple of the prices the same things have in the west. And you still may want to avoid Chinese bleaching creme for your face (especially if you have sensitive skin) and that you can do in a Chinese convenient store, too.
• Metro German Supermarket (麦德龙) near Maidelong Chaoshi (道里区埃德蒙顿路职工街1号). German owned walmart type supermarket with the city's biggest selection of western food, a huge selection of imported wine, alcohol and beer, cheese, pastas and ice cream. It's all there, including the steep prices!
• Scholars Bookstore (学府书店) Harbin's largest bookstore is near Heilongjiang University on Xuefu Lu (学府路).
• Flower, Bird and Fish Market (花鸟鱼工艺品交易场) Miaopu Road (道里区苗圃街), huge assortment of fresh plants, birds and tropical fish.

Carrefour. There are several other Carrefours in the city.

Watsons right on Zhongyang Dajie this small convenient store has every health care product you can think of including western deodorants (not true, I was just there today) and shampoo. If you're in the city just for a few days and you need something quick it's fine, but if you plan to stay in Harbin longer, find yourself a Chinese convenient store. Watsons has a lot of European and American Brands but also the multiple of the prices the same things have in the west. And you still may want to avoid Chinese bleaching creme for your face (especially if you have sensitive skin) and that you can do in a Chinese convenient store, too.

Metro German Supermarket (麦德龙) near Maidelong Chaoshi (道里区埃德蒙顿路职工街1号). German owned walmart type supermarket with the city's biggest selection of western food, a huge selection of imported wine, alcohol and beer, cheese, pastas and ice cream. It's all there, including the steep prices!

Scholars Bookstore (学府书店) Harbin's largest bookstore is near Heilongjiang University on Xuefu Lu (学府路).

Flower, Bird and Fish Market (花鸟鱼工艺品交易场) Miaopu Road (道里区苗圃街), huge assortment of fresh plants, birds and tropical fish.

Churin Shopping Center 秋林公司 No.319 Dongdazhi St. Bowuguan Metro Station 2 or 3A Exits. Founded in 1900, Churin is an icon of Harbin. The underground floor of the shopping center sells the most famous red sausage and хлеб ("Lieba 列吧“the big Russian bread). Also do remember to try the non-alcoholic drink brewed from Lieba, Da Lieba Gewasi 大列巴格瓦斯.

Zhongyang Dajie The main shopping district is along Zhongyang Dajie where there is a Wal-Mart near the flood control monument and another shopping district along Guogeli Jie where you can find clothing, food and more. Along this street are huge new shopping malls such as the Euro Plaza, Parksons, and Lane Crawford that carry international brands and are expensive. There are Nike stores, KFC and interesting Russian thrift stores. The street is lined with beer gardens during the summer.

Guogeli Dajie (果戈里大街). Harbin's second biggest shopping district after Zhongyang Dajie (bigger in size). The area around here is dotted with Russian buildings and HUGE shopping complexes. At night there are numerous night markets, a small scale Russian church where people dance, and a small and lively "bar lake."

Indian Street (印度一条街). A commercial side street right off Guogeli Dajie. If you're facing the East, it's past the giant castle and on your right. Used to be complete with Indian thrift stores, clothing, and food, but now offers only Russian items, including dolls, pocketknives and toys. But don't expect any Indian restaurants as there aren't any yet.

If there is one thing special about Harbin, it has to be the food. Taking influences from Russia, Mongolia, Korea and of course China, the food in Harbin is much "heartier" than you can find anywhere in China, and stews and other duncai are popular dishes. Because the winters are long here you'll find less exotic ingredients and heavy use of vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, cucumber and corn. Chinese BBQ or shaokao and Hot Pot is also equally popular in Harbin and is a must eat once you get into town.

One thing you will notice is that Dongbei people love to eat, and its not just for the food, but for getting all their friends together at one table and drinking/eating the night away. Thus this city is dominated by restaurants with large tables that seat groups of people. Besides small food stalls, only near the Universities and busy shopping areas will you find cozy little restaurants. In Harbin, liveliness (renao) attracts customers and much as the food; some restaurants are so loud you may need earplugs!

• Modern Ice Lolly 马迭尔冰棍, No. 89 Zhongyang St (In between Xi Qi Dao and Xi Ba Dao in Zhongyang St. When you get close you notice everyone, local, tourists, young, old, male, female, hold a ice lolly.. One of the icon of the city. Visit Harbin without Modern Ice Lolly is like going to Beijing without seeing the Great Wall. While everywhere in Harbin sale Modern Ice Lolly, only the hundrend-year shop in Zhongyang St is the real one. Hardly can one find a place with everyone in all age group on the street hold a ice lolly, and it worths to go and have a look even if you are not a sweet tooth. The shop has no advertisment and the ice lolly has no packing, and it can be sold 10,000 per day, all year around. Only two favors, and 5 RMB for one. Do remember to try it in winter when it is -30 °C! Everyone's favourite! 5 RMB.
• Hotpot and Harbin beer. Can be found anywhere in Harbin.
• Assorted Meats on a Stick. Sold on every street, try asking for grilled bread buns (考馒头; Kǎomántou), its really good. Finish everything off with an egg and tomato Gada Tang (soup). No more than ¥10 for 6-7 kabobs and soup.
• Harbin Smoked Sausage. A treat only known to Harbin, you see stores selling it everywhere, it is REALLY good.
• Russian Breads. Lots of Bread and pastry stores around the city, including Zhongyang Dajie.
• Haws. Hawthorn fruit stacked on sticks and served covered with a sweet sauce. You tend to find other fruits available also.
• Lamb. Lamb with spices grilled over coals served with sesame flat bread from the nice Uighur guys (from Xinjiang province) on a street between Hong Bo Shopping Center and Guogeli Dajie. ¥5 will buy you a good meal.
• Harbin Spring Rolls. A tasty wrap of potato strips, cucumber, sausage and egg all with a spicy sauce. Sold on the street or in most markets (even Walmart). If you want a real spring roll experience go to Lao Changs on Zhongyang Dajie (mentioned below). ¥2-5.

Modern Ice Lolly 马迭尔冰棍, No. 89 Zhongyang St (In between Xi Qi Dao and Xi Ba Dao in Zhongyang St. When you get close you notice everyone, local, tourists, young, old, male, female, hold a ice lolly.. One of the icon of the city. Visit Harbin without Modern Ice Lolly is like going to Beijing without seeing the Great Wall. While everywhere in Harbin sale Modern Ice Lolly, only the hundrend-year shop in Zhongyang St is the real one. Hardly can one find a place with everyone in all age group on the street hold a ice lolly, and it worths to go and have a look even if you are not a sweet tooth. The shop has no advertisment and the ice lolly has no packing, and it can be sold 10,000 per day, all year around. Only two favors, and 5 RMB for one. Do remember to try it in winter when it is -30 °C! Everyone's favourite! 5 RMB.

Hotpot and Harbin beer. Can be found anywhere in Harbin.

Assorted Meats on a Stick. Sold on every street, try asking for grilled bread buns (考馒头; Kǎomántou), its really good. Finish everything off with an egg and tomato Gada Tang (soup). No more than ¥10 for 6-7 kabobs and soup.

Harbin Smoked Sausage. A treat only known to Harbin, you see stores selling it everywhere, it is REALLY good.

Russian Breads. Lots of Bread and pastry stores around the city, including Zhongyang Dajie.

Haws. Hawthorn fruit stacked on sticks and served covered with a sweet sauce. You tend to find other fruits available also.

Lamb. Lamb with spices grilled over coals served with sesame flat bread from the nice Uighur guys (from Xinjiang province) on a street between Hong Bo Shopping Center and Guogeli Dajie. ¥5 will buy you a good meal.

Harbin Spring Rolls. A tasty wrap of potato strips, cucumber, sausage and egg all with a spicy sauce. Sold on the street or in most markets (even Walmart). If you want a real spring roll experience go to Lao Changs on Zhongyang Dajie (mentioned below). ¥2-5.

• Oriental Dumplings King, 38 Zhongyang Avenue, Daoli District (道里区中央大街39号; Dàolǐqū Zhōngyāngdàjiē). Unbelievable dumplings at a great price.
• Old Sandpot House, 98 Zhongyang Avenue, Daoli District (道里区中央大街98号; Dàolǐqū Zhōngyāngdàjiē). Delicious small Dongbei snacks like dumplings, grilled breads.
• Little Seven Fish, 81 Hongwei Road, Daowai District (道外区宏伟路81-4号; Dàowàiqūhóngwěilù). Spicy grill Sichuan style.

Oriental Dumplings King, 38 Zhongyang Avenue, Daoli District (道里区中央大街39号; Dàolǐqū Zhōngyāngdàjiē). Unbelievable dumplings at a great price.

Old Sandpot House, 98 Zhongyang Avenue, Daoli District (道里区中央大街98号; Dàolǐqū Zhōngyāngdàjiē). Delicious small Dongbei snacks like dumplings, grilled breads.

Little Seven Fish, 81 Hongwei Road, Daowai District (道外区宏伟路81-4号; Dàowàiqūhóngwěilù). Spicy grill Sichuan style.

• Hamama's Kofi House, * 2 mugong road unit 104(木工2号).. A little Cafe near Harbin Institute of Technology run by a Papua New Guinean and his Taiwanese wife. Western food like burgers, milkshakes and an omelet breakfast. Good strawberry and banana smoothies and carrot cake but some of the other items on the menu a bit variable. Coffee is fairly good too.

Hamama's Kofi House, * 2 mugong road unit 104(木工2号).. A little Cafe near Harbin Institute of Technology run by a Papua New Guinean and his Taiwanese wife. Western food like burgers, milkshakes and an omelet breakfast. Good strawberry and banana smoothies and carrot cake but some of the other items on the menu a bit variable. Coffee is fairly good too.

• Xiang E Meishi, 140 Guangmang Jie (南岗区光芒街140号). Great Hunan and Hubei style restaurant in a nice atmosphere.
• Hans Beer BBQ, 254 Zhongshan Lu, near Wal-mart (南岗区中山路254号, 近沃尔玛). Great draft beer that is all you can drink during lunchtime. The food is Chinese BBQ with assorted and spiced meat kabobs. A chain restaurant that is available in any large city in China.
• Big Harvest, 283 Yiman Street 南岗区一曼街283号. Traditional Donbgei cuisine in a unique environment. The only tea in the house is made from wheat.
• Fucheng Hotpot, 47 Wenchang Jie (南岗区文昌街47号). Great Hotpot restaurant always bustling with Dongbei atmosphere.
• Old Changs Spring Cakes, 178 Zhongyang Dajie (道里区中央大街178号) (Small entrance on the west side of Zhongyang street leading downstairs, +86 451 84685000. Pancake like food stuffed with vegetables and meat, a staple of the northeast and tasty as hell! You'll order plates with the fillings, such as meat, potato stripes, soy sprouts, ... and stuff the pancakes with them. Due to high popularity, Old Changs opened a few other branches in the vicinity. If this one is too crowded (expect more than 50 people to be waiting for a table during lunch time), try the branch at Xi 13 Daojie (西十三道街68号) a few hundred meters south.
• Homestyle Hotpot, 92 Dongfeng Jie (东风街92号). Great hotpot, especially their beef and potato. Heat source is piped in from the ceiling straight to the pot, none of the wimpy table-cooker stuff. They have a great spicy broth, and there is tableside sauce mixing available.
• Wuji Rib House, 208 XiDazhi Jie (岗区西大直街208号) and 57 Gongcheng Jie (南岗区工建街57号). Dongbei style ribs that are simply amazing! You eat them with your hands and are given plastic gloves to keep things clean. The other dishes are great too and its always packed and full of energy.
• Daquan BBQ, 86 Beixing Jiaoyu yuan (北兴教育园86号). The locals call this the best BBQ joint in town. Always packed, really good. When you go there, ask for the （Honey Plum Meat） Mizhimeirou
• Xiaozi Zai Xianxin HK Cafe, 350 Dongdazhi Jie (东大直街350号). Harbin's trendiest restaurant in terms of design and the people who go there. Fairly good HK style food.

Xiang E Meishi, 140 Guangmang Jie (南岗区光芒街140号). Great Hunan and Hubei style restaurant in a nice atmosphere.

Hans Beer BBQ, 254 Zhongshan Lu, near Wal-mart (南岗区中山路254号, 近沃尔玛). Great draft beer that is all you can drink during lunchtime. The food is Chinese BBQ with assorted and spiced meat kabobs. A chain restaurant that is available in any large city in China.

Big Harvest, 283 Yiman Street 南岗区一曼街283号. Traditional Donbgei cuisine in a unique environment. The only tea in the house is made from wheat.

Fucheng Hotpot, 47 Wenchang Jie (南岗区文昌街47号). Great Hotpot restaurant always bustling with Dongbei atmosphere.

Old Changs Spring Cakes, 178 Zhongyang Dajie (道里区中央大街178号) (Small entrance on the west side of Zhongyang street leading downstairs, +86 451 84685000. Pancake like food stuffed with vegetables and meat, a staple of the northeast and tasty as hell! You'll order plates with the fillings, such as meat, potato stripes, soy sprouts, ... and stuff the pancakes with them. Due to high popularity, Old Changs opened a few other branches in the vicinity. If this one is too crowded (expect more than 50 people to be waiting for a table during lunch time), try the branch at Xi 13 Daojie (西十三道街68号) a few hundred meters south.

Homestyle Hotpot, 92 Dongfeng Jie (东风街92号). Great hotpot, especially their beef and potato. Heat source is piped in from the ceiling straight to the pot, none of the wimpy table-cooker stuff. They have a great spicy broth, and there is tableside sauce mixing available.

Wuji Rib House, 208 XiDazhi Jie (岗区西大直街208号) and 57 Gongcheng Jie (南岗区工建街57号). Dongbei style ribs that are simply amazing! You eat them with your hands and are given plastic gloves to keep things clean. The other dishes are great too and its always packed and full of energy.

Daquan BBQ, 86 Beixing Jiaoyu yuan (北兴教育园86号). The locals call this the best BBQ joint in town. Always packed, really good. When you go there, ask for the （Honey Plum Meat） Mizhimeirou

Xiaozi Zai Xianxin HK Cafe, 350 Dongdazhi Jie (东大直街350号). Harbin's trendiest restaurant in terms of design and the people who go there. Fairly good HK style food.

• Qianlima Baihe Liaoli, 777 Xianfeng Lu (南岗区先锋路777号). Affordable Korean food in an upscale environment, packed with Chinese families and businessmen out on the town for a dinner.
• Gaoliyuan. A chain found all over Harbin that is consistently good.

Qianlima Baihe Liaoli, 777 Xianfeng Lu (南岗区先锋路777号). Affordable Korean food in an upscale environment, packed with Chinese families and businessmen out on the town for a dinner.

Gaoliyuan. A chain found all over Harbin that is consistently good.

• Marhaba Arabian, Hanguang Street 1-19 (Near Harbin Institute of Technology, +86 451-86304277. This is a great mom and pop sized restaurant which has some low and medium priced dishes. If you don't know Arabian food, the dishes are similar to many Indian and Lebanese dishes. They also have hookahs/shisha with flavored tobacco if desired.
• Cafe Russia. The owner is half Chinese, half Russian, and has created a fantastic atmosphere that feels like a high-class cafe in London or Paris. Elegant furniture, tasteful music, a working grandfather clock (with chimes) and a display to commemorate one of the last White Russians who lived in Harbin make this a place well worth visiting. Service is good too. The name in Chinese is 'Luxiya' i.e. Lucia → 'Rossiya' (Russia).
• Pizza Hut, Zhongyang Dajie (Near the Flood Monument. Standard pizza hut faire. Another Pizza Hut is on Guogeli Dajie.
• Burger Spice (伯格斯西餐厅) (Level 2 of Jingu Dasha (金谷大厦), 185 Zhongyang Dajie (中央大街185号)) An American style restaurant that, despite the name, actually has a large and varied Western menu. Apart from burgers, there is also seafood, pasta, steak, pizza, salads and even a few Chinese/Asian options. Food quality is quite good and portions substantial. Cocktails also available.There is also a branch near Harbin Exhibition Center.

Marhaba Arabian, Hanguang Street 1-19 (Near Harbin Institute of Technology, +86 451-86304277. This is a great mom and pop sized restaurant which has some low and medium priced dishes. If you don't know Arabian food, the dishes are similar to many Indian and Lebanese dishes. They also have hookahs/shisha with flavored tobacco if desired.

Cafe Russia. The owner is half Chinese, half Russian, and has created a fantastic atmosphere that feels like a high-class cafe in London or Paris. Elegant furniture, tasteful music, a working grandfather clock (with chimes) and a display to commemorate one of the last White Russians who lived in Harbin make this a place well worth visiting. Service is good too. The name in Chinese is 'Luxiya' i.e. Lucia → 'Rossiya' (Russia).

Pizza Hut, Zhongyang Dajie (Near the Flood Monument. Standard pizza hut faire. Another Pizza Hut is on Guogeli Dajie.

Burger Spice (伯格斯西餐厅) (Level 2 of Jingu Dasha (金谷大厦), 185 Zhongyang Dajie (中央大街185号)) An American style restaurant that, despite the name, actually has a large and varied Western menu. Apart from burgers, there is also seafood, pasta, steak, pizza, salads and even a few Chinese/Asian options. Food quality is quite good and portions substantial. Cocktails also available.There is also a branch near Harbin Exhibition Center.

• Shangri-la Hotel Buffet. Upscale hotel dining with a huge assortment of western foods. Managed by a western head chef. . The quality of this buffet is reasonable. Look out for the live silk worms in the chef station. Around ¥150-200 per person.
• Holiday Inn Buffet, 90 Jingwei Jie (道里区经纬街90号). Same as above. Around ¥100 per person.
• Portman's, 12 Xidazhijie right off of Hongbo Square (南岗区西大直街12号). Mentioned in almost all of the guidebooks but its really nothing more than a Chinese version of western food. You are better off going to Hamama's or a Russian cafe. However they do have steak, fillet mignon, and goose liver pate, if you want to spend the money.

Shangri-la Hotel Buffet. Upscale hotel dining with a huge assortment of western foods. Managed by a western head chef. . The quality of this buffet is reasonable. Look out for the live silk worms in the chef station. Around ¥150-200 per person.

Holiday Inn Buffet, 90 Jingwei Jie (道里区经纬街90号). Same as above. Around ¥100 per person.

Portman's, 12 Xidazhijie right off of Hongbo Square (南岗区西大直街12号). Mentioned in almost all of the guidebooks but its really nothing more than a Chinese version of western food. You are better off going to Hamama's or a Russian cafe. However they do have steak, fillet mignon, and goose liver pate, if you want to spend the money.

• Japanese Teppenyaki, 93 Hanshui Lu (南岗区汉水路393号). Japanese BBQ where you are seated in private rooms and real Japanese cook your food right in front of you! Meals start at ¥200.
• Upscale Sushi and Tempura, 458 Hanshui Lu (开发区汉水路458号). Another but less expensive Japanese restaurant. Full menu of sushi, tempura, Japanese curry etc. can be had here. Seating is in cozy bamboo paper rooms with heated seats! Atmosphere is very good. You can order affordable packages at around ¥100 per person that includes all-you-can-drink Kirin beer.

Japanese Teppenyaki, 93 Hanshui Lu (南岗区汉水路393号). Japanese BBQ where you are seated in private rooms and real Japanese cook your food right in front of you! Meals start at ¥200.

Upscale Sushi and Tempura, 458 Hanshui Lu (开发区汉水路458号). Another but less expensive Japanese restaurant. Full menu of sushi, tempura, Japanese curry etc. can be had here. Seating is in cozy bamboo paper rooms with heated seats! Atmosphere is very good. You can order affordable packages at around ¥100 per person that includes all-you-can-drink Kirin beer.

• Thai Restaurant, 183 Changjiang Lu across from the Dragon tower (长江路183号). Thai dishes cooked by Indian chefs. You can buy alligator meat here and listen to a singing Thai dance troupe.

Thai Restaurant, 183 Changjiang Lu across from the Dragon tower (长江路183号). Thai dishes cooked by Indian chefs. You can buy alligator meat here and listen to a singing Thai dance troupe.

• New Heaven Food City, 311 Hongqi Dajie (红旗大街311号). Extravagant. Maybe a place to close out a business deal. ¥400 per person.
• Tiantian Fish Village, 2 Gongcheng Jie (道里区工程街2号). Upscale Chinese seafood dining. You can mingle with Harbin's moneyed and enjoy exotic fish. When you walk in you can pick which fish you want from the giant tanks.

New Heaven Food City, 311 Hongqi Dajie (红旗大街311号). Extravagant. Maybe a place to close out a business deal. ¥400 per person.

Tiantian Fish Village, 2 Gongcheng Jie (道里区工程街2号). Upscale Chinese seafood dining. You can mingle with Harbin's moneyed and enjoy exotic fish. When you walk in you can pick which fish you want from the giant tanks.

Just because Harbin is below freezing a good amount of the year, doesn't mean it's devoid of nightlife. In fact, Harbin is one of the "rowdier" cities in China. Just don't expect Shanghai or even Beijing "quality" establishments. Most places in Harbin have puke stains on the toilets that are months old. With a good number of foreigners living in the city studying and working, the weekends are always bustling around 2-3 locations such as Blues, The Box, Pacers, or the small bars around the Universities. Dongbei people are reqing (热情） or very lively and seem to drink with almost every meal! Oftentimes at restaurants you'll see drunk men singing away and then lighting up their cigarettes to signal the night is coming to an end. And of course what would be better than to spend the wee hours of the night singing away to the tune of Titanic and Michael Jackson at one of the KTV's that can be found at almost every street corner!

In Harbin, people often start off the night at a cheap shaokao or Hotpot restaurant washed down with ¥1.5 bottles of Hapi. After a long dinner its usually to one of Harbin's clubs or bars to spend the rest of the night. If you are not a fan of the drinking scene, Harbin may not be for you as there isn't much else to do. That being said, there are dozens of small bars and a few cafes, so if you are not one for dancing and loud discos there are plenty of options. Some non-drinking activities include bowling, pool, or visiting a tea house.

Many discos that cater mainly to Chinese have table minimums. That is, each table has a different minimum purchase to sit there and you must purchase at least that much as soon as you sit down. They won't trust that you will eventually purchase enough over the course of the evening. Some even have the price of the table on a tent card sitting on the table. You can try and get around this sales tactic by saying you want to just have a look around (wo yao xian kan kan) and hope that they forget about you.

• Box Town, 118 Xidazhi Jie (西大直街118号). Large complex newly opened by owners of the original Box club, a Harbin legend which closed in 2008. In addition to a cozy lounge/pub, Box Town also includes a sizeable disco playing a wide variety of western dance and pop music. Lounge area offers pool, darts, and foosball. English speaking bar staff and cocktails for around ¥20. Quickly becoming the most popular spot for expats and younger Chinese clubgoers. Safe, clean, and very lively although somewhat difficult to find. On the fourth floor of the Ha1 Te4 building. Enter through the elevator in back.
• Babyface, Youzheng Jie and Hongjun Jie intersection (南岗区邮政街和红军街交口). The newest addition to Harbin's club scene its nothing like its sister in Beijing or Shanghai, seems to have lost its popularity to Tanghui, lots of rich people. Not much dancing. A Long Island is ¥40.
• Banana, Basement, Sino-way Hotel, Hongjun Street, Nangang District (南岗区红军街华融饭店地下一层; Nángǎngqū Hóngjūnjiē Huàróngfàndiàn Dìxiàyīcéng). Expensive, smallish, and pushy waiters that make you buy expensive drinks. Overall, not fun.
• Blue's, 100 Diduan Jie (地段街100号). Dirty, crowded, and dangerous. Everything that is Harbin, Russians, Mongolians, Turks, Canadians, Brazilians, Koreans. Frequent staging ground for fights between Koreans and Mongolians or Russians fighting with Russians. The staff has also been known to get involved in fights or start them. Friday nights 22:30 and afterward get really crazy when about 80% of Harbin's foreign newcomers head out to Blue's to party. Also, at 23:00 you can buy a bottle of Vodka for ¥10, but it is devil water from Anhui has made many people go nuts and dance on the pole for hours. During the week it is full of Chinese.
• CoCo Club, Changjiang Street and Yushan Street intersection (长江路与玉山路交汇处). Newly opened flashy disco. Packed on weekends.
• Earth Club (步行者酒吧), 102 Xidazhi Jie (西大直街102号). Owned by a foreginer named [Boyde skinner], great music, cheap drinks, English speaking bar staff, pool table dart boards.
• Jinhao Disco, 161 Heping (Lu 和平路161号). One of the oldest discos in Harbin, kind of run-down now, frequent bar fights. As the cab drivers say, "Don't go there, that's where the poor people go."
• Yes. Yet another flashy disco with pounding techno; it's okay.
• , (道里区兆麟街21号). A large club with lots of singing and performances. Mostly tables but there are people dancing.
• Dijie Manyao Bar, 2 Manzhouli Jie (满洲里街2号). Another bar with scantily clad dancers.
• Camp David. Looks like a giant castle, used to be the expat hangout in Harbin before Blues. Full of people nonetheless.
• Guang Zai. Frequented mostly by young people. Atmosphere is good.

Box Town, 118 Xidazhi Jie (西大直街118号). Large complex newly opened by owners of the original Box club, a Harbin legend which closed in 2008. In addition to a cozy lounge/pub, Box Town also includes a sizeable disco playing a wide variety of western dance and pop music. Lounge area offers pool, darts, and foosball. English speaking bar staff and cocktails for around ¥20. Quickly becoming the most popular spot for expats and younger Chinese clubgoers. Safe, clean, and very lively although somewhat difficult to find. On the fourth floor of the Ha1 Te4 building. Enter through the elevator in back.

Babyface, Youzheng Jie and Hongjun Jie intersection (南岗区邮政街和红军街交口). The newest addition to Harbin's club scene its nothing like its sister in Beijing or Shanghai, seems to have lost its popularity to Tanghui, lots of rich people. Not much dancing. A Long Island is ¥40.

Banana, Basement, Sino-way Hotel, Hongjun Street, Nangang District (南岗区红军街华融饭店地下一层; Nángǎngqū Hóngjūnjiē Huàróngfàndiàn Dìxiàyīcéng). Expensive, smallish, and pushy waiters that make you buy expensive drinks. Overall, not fun.

Blue's, 100 Diduan Jie (地段街100号). Dirty, crowded, and dangerous. Everything that is Harbin, Russians, Mongolians, Turks, Canadians, Brazilians, Koreans. Frequent staging ground for fights between Koreans and Mongolians or Russians fighting with Russians. The staff has also been known to get involved in fights or start them. Friday nights 22:30 and afterward get really crazy when about 80% of Harbin's foreign newcomers head out to Blue's to party. Also, at 23:00 you can buy a bottle of Vodka for ¥10, but it is devil water from Anhui has made many people go nuts and dance on the pole for hours. During the week it is full of Chinese.

CoCo Club, Changjiang Street and Yushan Street intersection (长江路与玉山路交汇处). Newly opened flashy disco. Packed on weekends.

Earth Club (步行者酒吧), 102 Xidazhi Jie (西大直街102号). Owned by a foreginer named [Boyde skinner], great music, cheap drinks, English speaking bar staff, pool table dart boards.

Jinhao Disco, 161 Heping (Lu 和平路161号). One of the oldest discos in Harbin, kind of run-down now, frequent bar fights. As the cab drivers say, "Don't go there, that's where the poor people go."

Yes. Yet another flashy disco with pounding techno; it's okay.

Dijie Manyao Bar, 2 Manzhouli Jie (满洲里街2号). Another bar with scantily clad dancers.

Camp David. Looks like a giant castle, used to be the expat hangout in Harbin before Blues. Full of people nonetheless.

Guang Zai. Frequented mostly by young people. Atmosphere is good.

Most bars in the city are clustered around the universities and tourist districts. The Development Zone has some bars as well but they are more expensive.

The campus of Harbin Institute of Technology (复华小区) is surrounded with a number of small and cozy bars. HIT itself has a number of foreign teachers and hundreds of foreign students. Some notable bars here are:

Sky Bar/Cafe: A new bar back on the scene after closing down a couple of years ago. A cosy little pub in an old Russian-style building. Widest range of imported beers in town. Amazing fish and chips, burgers and other pub food. Staff are fluent in English and good to sit around and chat too. Big screen TV for live sports....just ask them and they will put it on for you. They have Trivia every Thursday and Texas Hold'em on Tuesdays. The best place to hang and meet others in "The Bin." 南岗区砖街13号（曲线街砖街交口附近）。

At the middle portion of Guogeli Dajie (果戈里大街) near Children s Park (儿童公园) there is a small man made lake that is surrounded by 10 or so small pubs and a fountain. During the warmer months this small square is packed with people out for a night stroll and is really lively. This also seems to be a place for the trendy teens and college age kids to hang out. If you continue walking down Guogeli Dajie there are a few more small bars dotting the street. Great for people watching! For about ¥100 you can order a "beer tower" (啤酒塔 pijiuta), which is a tall plastic tube with a spigot on the bottom. At the other end of the lake there is a restaurant that resembles TGI Friday's, as besides the name being changed to DJ Friday's almost everything else has been copied. What makes this place really stand out from the real TGI Fridays are the scantily clad Russian dancers.

Near Heilongjiang University (黑龙江大学) right across from the main gate are several small bars and pubs to accommodate the huge Korean and Russian student population.

There are a number of very nice teahouses in the New Development Zone (开发区). Most will rent you a room and will charge by the hour, plus whatever tea you decide to drink. Some of the teahouses are on Hengshan Lu (衡山路) such as 君如意茶楼， 雅泰茶楼.

• Rumi Cafe, A7#13 Seasons of Berlin, Academy St., University Area, Harbin(哈尔滨学院路柏林四季A7#13), +86 451-88122316. Open 10:00-22:00.
• Be For Time, Two locations: 102 Xidazhi Jie, under Pacers near HIT (南岗区西大直街102号) and 2 Linxing Lu (南岗区林兴路2号). Open 24 hours. ¥18 all you can eat/drink.
• UBC Coffee, 186 Gongchang Jie (道里区工厂街186号).
• Starbucks, Zhonyang Dajie (one in Europlaza and one in the corner in a bigger shopping-mall, quite at the beginning of Center Street.. Coffee house, here you can meet a lot of foreigners a bit more expensive than usual in China, price range is converted about the same as in Europe, and not necessarily good, especially the snacks there are targeted at Chinese who want to feel a bit the European flair.
• Costa Coffee, Zhonyang Dajie, quite close to the Flood Monument, next to a Russian Shop and Babelas Kitchen. Coffee House, unlike Starbucks it's not quite as packed with people and you can still meet a lot of foreigners here a bit cheaper than Starbucks in some things, but mainly the same applies here too, Chinese western snacks and no real coffee.
• USA Bucks, Zhonyang Dajie. Coffee house and bar
• Luyu Cafe, 43 Hongzhuan Jie 红专街43号(靠近中央大街) (Just a few meters left from Zhongyang St., +86 136-13644362. This is a good place to relax and escape the crowds or to warm up on a cold winter day. Situated in a historic Russian building right next to Zhongyang street, the warm atmosphere and nicely decorated surroundings, combined with a creative coffee blend from the friendly owner, will let you forget that you're in a city with a population of 10 million. ¥30.

Rumi Cafe, A7#13 Seasons of Berlin, Academy St., University Area, Harbin(哈尔滨学院路柏林四季A7#13), +86 451-88122316. Open 10:00-22:00.

Be For Time, Two locations: 102 Xidazhi Jie, under Pacers near HIT (南岗区西大直街102号) and 2 Linxing Lu (南岗区林兴路2号). Open 24 hours. ¥18 all you can eat/drink.

UBC Coffee, 186 Gongchang Jie (道里区工厂街186号).

Starbucks, Zhonyang Dajie (one in Europlaza and one in the corner in a bigger shopping-mall, quite at the beginning of Center Street.. Coffee house, here you can meet a lot of foreigners a bit more expensive than usual in China, price range is converted about the same as in Europe, and not necessarily good, especially the snacks there are targeted at Chinese who want to feel a bit the European flair.

Costa Coffee, Zhonyang Dajie, quite close to the Flood Monument, next to a Russian Shop and Babelas Kitchen. Coffee House, unlike Starbucks it's not quite as packed with people and you can still meet a lot of foreigners here a bit cheaper than Starbucks in some things, but mainly the same applies here too, Chinese western snacks and no real coffee.

USA Bucks, Zhonyang Dajie. Coffee house and bar

Luyu Cafe, 43 Hongzhuan Jie 红专街43号(靠近中央大街) (Just a few meters left from Zhongyang St., +86 136-13644362. This is a good place to relax and escape the crowds or to warm up on a cold winter day. Situated in a historic Russian building right next to Zhongyang street, the warm atmosphere and nicely decorated surroundings, combined with a creative coffee blend from the friendly owner, will let you forget that you're in a city with a population of 10 million. ¥30.

There is a Jazz Bar on GuogeLi Dajie that often has a piano/sax duo playing, and guitar/vocalists can be found at some of the smaller bars around HIT and Hei Da.

While it is unlikely that you will be a victim of a crime, as in any large city be vigilant about your personal property, exercise care if you find yourself on a lightly traveled street, and always be aware of your surroundings.

Most trouble that people run into in Harbin revolves around drinking at the clubs. Harbin is famous in China for being a "rough" city, and locals pride themselves on their machismo. Fights are common on the weekends and while this may not directly involve you, it’s best to leave at the first signs of conflict. Don’t expect bar security to come to your rescue.

• Avoid going to clubs alone.
• Be vigilant of your personal property and be aware of your surroundings. Especially if you're taking the bus, Chinese buses are crowded and you will be shoved and pushed a lot, if you're standing at the doors it's all the worse.
• Be careful when crossing the street. Keep an eye on the locals and cross with them.
• Dress warmly and in layers during the winter months.
• Avoid fish caught in the Songhua River as it was contaminated by benzyne in November 2005 – fish is available from the many lakes surrounding Harbin.
• Avoid going into small bathhouses and small KTV alone, as you may end up being forced to pay for a bill you didn't order. If you choose to go, be mindful of what you are getting into and leave at the first sign of illegal activity. People interested in a "massage" with extras should avoid doing it in Harbin.

Free emergency telephone numbers:

• Police: 110.
• Fire alarm: 119.
• Medical care: 120.

Remember these three telephone numbers. They are valid on most of the Chinese mainland.

The vast majority of the foreigners living in Harbin are either Russian or Korean, with the Russians obviously being the more visible of the two. Expats should be aware that all Caucasians are automatically "Russian" as far as the local population is concerned, and that relations between said Russians and the local Chinese population are rocky at best. Much of the famous "Dongbei hospitality" has worn thin, with native Harbiners holding an increasingly negative view of foreigners in general. But that does not under any circumstances mean that they will not stare at you or take pictures of you, especially if you have fair hair and coloured eyes, and for men a beard. Some will come up to you and ask for a picture with you or if they can touch your hair, but more often than not you will just "accidentally" find yourself in the viewfinder of a mobile phone or camera.

There are also a small number of European and Brazilian professionals working in the city, as well as a number of English teachers hailing from various countries. However, the lack of foreign investment in the province as a whole means that most of the resident expats are either students or teachers. There are also a number of African and Middle Eastern students studying at the high-profile Harbin Institute of Technology.

• No. 1 Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 5 Youzheng St Nangang District, +86 451-364 1918, +86 451-360 7924, +86 451-364 1563.
• No. 2 Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No.247, Xue Fu Rd Nangang District 150086, +86 451 666-2962. All doctors in Department No. 2 can assist foreigners.
• Provincial Hospital, No. 82 Zhongshan Rd, Xiangfang District Harbin, Heilongjiang 150036, +86 451-566 2971.
• US Consulate Shenyang 24 Emergency Hotline, +86 137-0988-9307.

No. 1 Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 5 Youzheng St Nangang District, +86 451-364 1918, +86 451-360 7924, +86 451-364 1563.

No. 2 Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No.247, Xue Fu Rd Nangang District 150086, +86 451 666-2962. All doctors in Department No. 2 can assist foreigners.

Provincial Hospital, No. 82 Zhongshan Rd, Xiangfang District Harbin, Heilongjiang 150036, +86 451-566 2971.

US Consulate Shenyang 24 Emergency Hotline, +86 137-0988-9307.

• Harbin Interpreting Company. Very good English speaking services in Harbin.

The city is littered with net bars (网吧 wangba) that are usually very cheap and do not require I.D at the door like the ones in Beijing. The biggest Internet cafes are near the universities like Harbin Institute of Technology and Hei Da. Be forewarned that sometimes you may have to wait for a computer depending on what time of day it is (17:00-24:00 are the worst, school is out) and that the Internet connection can sometimes be down for days at time in various parts of the city. Also, these places are filled with a haze of smoke and Chinese screaming obscenties after they lost a game of Counter Strike or World of Warcraft.

All of the computers are in Chinese language, but still using windows so its relatively easy to use. You cannot print at Net bars. If you are looking to print something try going to a print or copy station — look for the Chinese characters 复印 (fuyin) or 打印 (dayin).

If you are looking to refill the minutes on your China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom SIM card, you might have trouble, as very few locations in the city sell the refill cards. In Harbin, you have to go to an actual store and pay the money to a teller to have your phone refilled and oftentimes you can refill out of town numbers at China Mobile or China Unicom Branches.

DHL and UPS both deliver to Harbin but through Chinese shipping companies.

• Heilongjiang Datian International Shipping Company, 232 Hesong Jie, Daoli Disrict (哈尔滨市道里区河松街232号), +86 451 8489 7599, +800 988 1888, +400 886 1888 (FedEx Customer Service Line). Main Fedex agent in Harbin.

Heilongjiang Datian International Shipping Company, 232 Hesong Jie, Daoli Disrict (哈尔滨市道里区河松街232号), +86 451 8489 7599, +800 988 1888, +400 886 1888 (FedEx Customer Service Line). Main Fedex agent in Harbin.

Harbin Interpreting Company. Very good English speaking services in Harbin.

Harbin is known for its cruel winter weather. Be sure to have adequate clothing and protect the extremities. Gloves, thick socks, scarves, and ear protections are a must.

You can also get warm patches in some stores. Try to get some of these if you are going to spend more than a few hours outside. Most patches will last between 4 and 6 hours. Wear them under the clothes but not in direct contact with the skin.

If you are in Harbin for the long haul, try to get away to somewhere warm during the winter break such as Hainan or Thailand. Also, an excursion to Beijing is a must for anyone staying in Harbin for any considerable amount of time.

• Wudalian Chi. Volcanic lake surrounded by forests and small farming communities a train and bus ride away from Harbin. Take the train to Dedu and then a 2 hour bus ride to the lake.
• Mudanjiang and surrounding areas. This is a short train ride from Harbin and within short bus rides you can reach Mirror Lake, the Underground Forests, and the Yabuli ski resort.
• Zhalong National Nature Reserve. Huge bird preserve near the city of QiQihaer, can be reached by a short 5 hour train ride from Harbin.
• Daqing. 2 hour train ride from Harbin, this city is home to China's largest oil fields.
• Hulunbeier Grasslands, Inner Mongolia. Take the train to Hailaer and under 12 hours (overnight) you can find yourself on some of the world's biggest grasslands, stunningly beautiful. Summer is the best time to go.
• Dalian. Dongbei's most modern and cleanest city, right on the coast. A great weekend getaway if you are in Harbin for an extended period of time and looking to catch some fresh seaside air
• Deer Flat mountain ski resort. Pingshan deer ski field is in A Cheng city of Heilongjiang Province town, 70 km away from Harbin, is Heilongjiang province SSS tourist resort, which can accommodate up to 3000 people skiing, skiing for a period of 11 month to second years in March every year.
• Yabuli. Yabuli is one of the largest skiing areas in China and venue for the 1996 Asian Winter Games.

Wudalian Chi. Volcanic lake surrounded by forests and small farming communities a train and bus ride away from Harbin. Take the train to Dedu and then a 2 hour bus ride to the lake.

Mudanjiang and surrounding areas. This is a short train ride from Harbin and within short bus rides you can reach Mirror Lake, the Underground Forests, and the Yabuli ski resort.

Zhalong National Nature Reserve. Huge bird preserve near the city of QiQihaer, can be reached by a short 5 hour train ride from Harbin.

Daqing. 2 hour train ride from Harbin, this city is home to China's largest oil fields.

Hulunbeier Grasslands, Inner Mongolia. Take the train to Hailaer and under 12 hours (overnight) you can find yourself on some of the world's biggest grasslands, stunningly beautiful. Summer is the best time to go.

Dalian. Dongbei's most modern and cleanest city, right on the coast. A great weekend getaway if you are in Harbin for an extended period of time and looking to catch some fresh seaside air

Deer Flat mountain ski resort. Pingshan deer ski field is in A Cheng city of Heilongjiang Province town, 70 km away from Harbin, is Heilongjiang province SSS tourist resort, which can accommodate up to 3000 people skiing, skiing for a period of 11 month to second years in March every year.

Yabuli. Yabuli is one of the largest skiing areas in China and venue for the 1996 Asian Winter Games.