Is there a main city station like Harbin's? You walk out of it head down, elbows sharpened against the jostling crowds - the chill air already biting into your cheeks, pulling your suitcase up to the waiting vehicle - then you glance up. In front of you is an ice ship! And a huge ice castle - framed against crisp cold blue skies. The cold is moving into your finger tips, but you have stopped - transfixed by the colour, reflection and icy beauty. First impressions of a place are so often right and this city continues to surprise and transfix you. At least two days should be spent here as there is so much to see and do!
Harbin City
- is there anywhere in the world with stunning ice sculptures right outside their main railway station? |
Shopping in Harbin
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First the food! Lots of warm up stops! Finding restaurants (with warming dumplings, soups and Mongolian hot pot!) is not a problem in Harbin and shopping is a delight. Central Avenue Pedestrian Street (Zhongyang Dajie) is a must during the day for your shopping. The pedestrianised alleys are cobbled and there are numerous shops, good bars and restaurants. Then leave your purchases in the vehicle and walk up the road (Zhongyang Street) heading North to the river bank. Here you will come to the Flood Control Monument on the banks of the Songhua River. This is a stunning spot - the monument was erected in 1958 after a terrible flood in 1957, where the peoples brave efforts to stem the rivers advances have been commemorated. There was another terrible flood in 1998 and when you look down at the frozen vastness stretched out in front of you for half a mile across – you can understand how terrifying this river must be in flood.
The Flood Control Monument
Harbin. |
View across the vast Songhua River
from Sun Island
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In the winter though it runs deep under the ice and by the river bank, the rivers surface has been rubbed clear of the thin layer of snow, to shine it up for skating, children to play spinning tops and adults push carts with giggling squealing children over it while microphones compete with vivacious music! This huge vast paralysed river has such a depth of the ice that it makes it safe for you, horses, carts and cars to cross. In the middle just pause and look up and down the river!
Harbin on the steps near Stalin Park looking across the frozen Songhua River to Sun Island. |
Carriage rides on the Songhua River
Harbin
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On the far bank is Sun Island where the vehicle can meet you and give you some warm up time! Then you must go and see the snow sculptures – some of which are photographed below. A competition is held here each year between different countries who all carve from huge mounds of snow that are brought in by diggers in November as soon as the weather is cold enough. To wander around here as the sun goes down is truly magical.
Showing the size of some of the snow sculptures on Sun Island. |
Snow sculptures
Sun Island Harbin.
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The Harbin Ice Festival:
This event goes from January 5th until February 25th – but in fact the work on it starts in November and there is plenty to see even if you arrive in Harbin, before the 5th January. It is held mainly in Zhaolin Park, but ice sculptures are all over the city.
Zhaolin Park is a must once it is dark! Huge replica ice buildings carved from blocks of ice are created for the public to walk into, climb up, and slide down from! Each ice building is illuminated with lights that alternate in colour while favourite Chinese pop songs blare out in a crazy carnival atmosphere! Wrap up in at least two layers of thermals for this experience!
The Ice Festival in Zhaolin Park
Harbin. |
Harbin Ice Festival
- note the skaters below the towering ice carvings.
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Alternative sightseeing in Harbin:
The Russian influence is strong in Harbin and aside from the shopping there are also some beautiful buildings to visit. One of the most stunning is the Church of St Sofia. This is a Russian Orthodox church that was rebuilt in 1907. It is a Byzantine style domed church that now houses the Architecture and Arts Centre. This exhibits an amalgamation of photographs that have been taken, showing the city’s transformation from a sleepy fishing village to a bustling city.
Church of St Sophia. |
Fruits glazed with sugar in the square of St Sophia.
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Another fun thing to do is go to the Dragon Tower which is the Heilongjiang Broadcasting centre and the tallest building in Harbin. This gives you a stunning view over the city and is a good fun thing to do at night before or after dinner. Then it is time to head further north to Yabuli!
Hot Pot
Cook your own strips of vegetables or meat in boiling water or soup, dip in a sauce and enjoy!
Harbin Ice Festival - Loud party music carries across the square while you explore the ice buildings. |
Sun setting on Sun Island Snow sculptures
Harbin.
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