Overview:
Also written Haerbin, the capital of China's northernmost province is well known for its Russian architecture and world-famous winter festival.
Also written Haerbin, the capital of China's northernmost province is well known for its Russian architecture and world-famous winter festival.
Location:
Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province, China's northernmost province that sits above the Koreas. To the west is Inner Mongolia, to the south is Jilin province and to the east is Russia. Heilongjiang is one of the provinces that made up the historical Manchuria, along with Jilin and Liaoning.
Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province, China's northernmost province that sits above the Koreas. To the west is Inner Mongolia, to the south is Jilin province and to the east is Russia. Heilongjiang is one of the provinces that made up the historical Manchuria, along with Jilin and Liaoning.
History:
Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province which helped comprise Manchuria. Historically separate from China, Manchuria became the seat of power when the Manchus invaded and took control of China, eventually becoming the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Read more in this short History of Harbin.
Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province which helped comprise Manchuria. Historically separate from China, Manchuria became the seat of power when the Manchus invaded and took control of China, eventually becoming the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Read more in this short History of Harbin.
Features:
Harbin has several nicknames including the "Oriental St. Petersburg" because of the Russian and European-influenced architecture. A walk down Zhong Yang (pronounced jong yang) Street, also known as Kitaiskaia Street, is the perfect place to view the different building styles from Baroque to Byzantine.
Harbin has several nicknames including the "Oriental St. Petersburg" because of the Russian and European-influenced architecture. A walk down Zhong Yang (pronounced jong yang) Street, also known as Kitaiskaia Street, is the perfect place to view the different building styles from Baroque to Byzantine.
Since 1985, Harbin has been holding its International Ice and Snow Festival. Now famous world-wide, Harbin's is one of the world's four largest winter festivals along with Sapporo's Snow Festival, Quebec City's Winter Carnival and Norway's Ski Festival.
Getting There:
Harbin is linked by air and train to most major Chinese cities.
Harbin is linked by air and train to most major Chinese cities.
Essentials:
- Population: 9.2 million
- Telephone Code: 0451 (when calling from overseas, drop the first 0)
- Harbin Weather:
Tips:
- Definitely try some of the Russian-influenced local food.
- Stock up on Russian caviar and vodka - good souvenirs if you can save it that long.
- Lie ba, Russian bread, and qiu-lin hong-chang or Harbin sausages are not to be missed.
