Harbin

Highlights

• Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (January)
• Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Exposition
• Saint Sophia Cathedral (Russian Orthodox)
• Central Avenue (Zhongyang Dajie) pedestrian strip
• Siberian Tiger Park
• Harbin Polarland aquarium and snow leopard centre

Getting Around

Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) connects to Beijing in about 2 hours and to Shanghai in under 3 hours, with some direct international routes to Russia, Japan, and South Korea. High-speed rail links Harbin to Beijing in about 5.5 hours on the Harbin-Beijing corridor, and to Shenyang in about 2 hours. The airport shuttle bus connects the terminal to the city centre in approximately 40 minutes.

Food

Harbin's cuisine reflects its cold climate and Russian influence. The city is famous for its smoked and air-dried sausages (Harbin red sausage, modelled on Russian kolbasa), hearty meat and potato stews, and dark rye bread found in Russian-style bakeries along Central Avenue. Locally brewed Harbin Beer (one of China's oldest, founded by a Russian in 1900) is the drink of choice at every hotpot table. Winter warming dishes include dongbei (Northeast Chinese) staples like guobaorou (sweet-and-sour crispy pork) and suan cai (pickled cabbage) stewed with pork ribs.

Stay

Most visitors stay along or near Zhongyang Dajie (Central Avenue), the historic pedestrian strip lined with European-era buildings that puts you within walking distance of Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Songhua River embankment. During Ice Festival season (late December through February), book 3-4 months in advance and expect prices to double. In warmer months, the Daoli district around Central Avenue remains the most atmospheric and tourist-friendly neighbourhood.

Budget