Heilongjiang Province, the most northeast part of China, when viewed on a map has the shape of a swan. Its capital city is Harbin, which is located south of Heilongjiang. Not only for its special position, but also as the center of Heilongjiang's political, economic, educational and cultural life, Harbin is described as the pearl beneath the swan's neck. Lying on the east of the Songnen Plain, what is more, Harbin plays a vital role in communications between South and North Asia as well the regions of Europe and the Pacific Ocean.
Before you visit a city, it is always useful to know at least a little of its history. Harbin was the birthplace of Jin (1115-1234) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, the latter of which had a very considerable influence on modern Chinese history. At the end of the 19th century, Russia built the terminus of the Middle East Railway here. Later, more than 160,000 foreigners from 33 countries migrated to Harbin, promoting the development of a capitalist economy in the city. The economy and culture of Harbin achieved unprecedented prosperity at that time and the city gradually grew into a famous international commercial port. Assimilating external culture, Harbin 
created its unique and exotic cityscape. The majestic St. Sofia Orthodox Church and Zhongyang Dajie each built in a European style have the effect of bringing you into an 'eastern Moscow'. Even though you are sure to be attracted by various exotic buildings, the Dragon Tower which embodies the wisdom of the Chinese people is a must on your journey.
Besides these rich cultural heritages, Harbin is favored with beautiful natural scenery. Based on meandering Songhua River and subject to severe low temperatures in winter, Harbin boasts a unique ice and snow culture. So, Harbin is also called the 'Ice City'. Each winter fantastic sculptures created from snow and ice, ice lanterns and exciting sporting events attract thousands of visitors from home and abroad. The cool summers make Harbin highly popular as a natural summer resort. It is widely accepted that the Sun Island Scenic Resort is the best choice during a sweltering summer.
The local people in this area covering some 53,000 square kilometers (about 20,463 square miles), have created a very distinctive food culture which reflects Harbin's history and special geographical position. However, under the influence of neighboring Russia, a number of authentic western food restaurants have been established here. This coming together of Chinese and Western flavors will definitely fulfill your appetite.
Every year, vast numbers of visitors flock to Harbin and the city has adapted itself to meet the needs of this great influx of tourists. Convenient transportation by air and water can ease your journeys and ensuring a comfortable way of either getting to or around the city. A large number of star-rated hotels with good services await you here.
More Harbin Tour Information:
Hiking Tours: Information about hiking in Harbin for your reference
Golf Tour: Detailed information about golf tour in Harbin
Bicycle Tour: Offer information about cycling in and around Harbin
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Travelers' Voices on Harbin
1.
Jun. 23,2009 19:48 Reply
Mr.armin(Malaysia) said:
i have a plan to go to harbin in the mid of january 2010. May i know how far from harbin airport to the sun island snow sculpture or to any place which have snow sculptured festival?
Jun. 23,2009 23:22
Ms.Ellen replied:
Harbin Railway Statio have buses to the Sun Island. Or you can get to the city center and change to bus 80, 29 to the place. How far: airport to railway station, 1.5 hours; railway to the Sub Island, 45-60 minutes. Or you can go to Ice and Snow World. Some street and park in the city also has the sculptures.
2.
Jun. 18,2009 23:20 Reply
Mr.SANTATROY(South Africa) said:
How much is Bus ticket from Harbin to Vladivostok?
Jun. 19,2009 04:45
Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
Hi, Mr. SANTATROY, this is really a long trip. First, you should take a overnight train from Harbin to Suifenhe. Just leave China from Suifenhe. Then, take the international train from Suifenhe to the frontier inspection. You will accept very strict safty inpection and other insepctions. After that, you should take a coach bus for about three hours to get to Vladivostok.
3.
Dec. 7,2008 18:08 Reply
Ms.Xue(China) said:
In winter, the ice festival is great. In summer, you can also see the beauty of Harbin, especially on the Sun Island. The Centural Street is a great street for sight-seeing and shopping.
Jun. 14,2009 03:24
Mr.ET(Singapore) replied:
Hi, I planned to go during summer on 1 July. Could u advise me which hotel should i stay and what are the places should I visit. Thanks
Jun. 15,2009 02:06
Mr.ET(Singapore) replied:
Hi Ms Xue,
Thanks for your reply. Can you also advise me on which hotel should i stay in and how to I go about booking a flight from bejing to harbin? can i book over the internet? Thank you.
4.
Dec. 30,2008 04:38 Reply
Ms.joanne(s'pore) said:
hello,i am from singapore.
will be there on the 21.2.09 ~ 23.2.09.
will the Ice and Snow festival still on?
kindly advise....thanks
Jun. 14,2009 03:09
Ms.ET(singapore) replied:
Hi Joanne,
we have planned to go harbin from 28 jun to 9 jul. Could you kindly advise should I fly to harbin directly from beijing once i reach there and how should i book the air ticket to harbin. Any idea which hotel should I stay in. Kindly advise me as this is my first free and easy trip to china. Thanks.
5.
May. 19,2009 01:36 Reply
Ms.sandee(Philippines) said:
Hi,
We're planning to go to harbin this november, and we want to know what place is near to ice sculpture and the cheapest/budget hotel we can stay near these places which safe and clean, and which is more convinient cause we're planning to visit beijing also, we go to beijing first then harbin or harbin then biejing. By the way we're coming from the philippines. Thanks.
May. 21,2009 03:14
Ms.Cindy replied:
I think most of the sculpture will not finishes in November, which are usually done in December for the Snow and Ice Festival open in Late December or early January. You can see sculptures in streets and many parks. The most prefect place to see is the Sun Island Park, Harbin Snow World. :-)Sorry, not sure about the hotel.
6.
May. 18,2009 05:30 Reply
Ms.sandee(Philippines) said:
Hi Everyone,
I'm interested to travel to harbin this november, I want to know if when snow starts to fall and when it ends. Thanks.
May. 21,2009 03:10
Mr.Henry replied:
Yes, it has started to snow in Nov. Actually, most snow happens in December and January. Similar to the closure of the snow festival, the best time to admire the snow scenery there in early Febuary. Good Day!
7.
Jan. 30,2009 05:12 Reply
Ms.Boncheva(Bulgaria) said:
Just came back 2 days ago from a highly satisfying 4 days in Harbin. The cold is very tolerable when well prepared and shouldn't stop anyone from going. The ice and snow festival is really terrific, and the tiger park is well worth the visit, but the city itself doesn't present much interest though. Yabuli ski resort has very few pistes and the surroundings are less than breathtaking, but the facilities are very modern and it's not really crowded, so it was nice to spend a day snowboarding there, however it really doesn't feel anything like the ski resorts in Europe. In Harbin we stayed in Tianzhi hotel on Zhongyang street, because of the location, but at 368/night, I don't recommend it. If you don't particularly want to stay in the pedestrian area, where most of the attractions are within a walking distance, it's much cheaper to stay around the railway station, which is not too far from anywhere either. Don't miss the USA bar on Zhongyang street, just next to Tianzhi hotel, where every night you can meet the disguised owner.
All in all, it was great!
Apr. 23,2009 21:22
Mr.Cortes(USA) replied:
I was in Harbin for 5 days mid January 09'. The city is beautiful, covered in white. The ice scultures are gorgeous. Downtown has a vivid life in the air, and the people are not as cold as the weather suggest.
Encourage everyone to discover this north part part of the China. Love it and coming back in May.
8.
Jan. 27,2009 10:53 Reply
Ms.Tan(Malaysia) said:
Hi, I'll be going to Harbin on 20 February 2009. I would like to visit the ice and snow festival but I'm afraid the festival will end by then.
Can anyone let me know when exactly will the festival end? Can I still enjoy the ice and snow sculptures on 20th February?
Jan. 31,2009 19:38
Ms.Ramsay(China) replied:
We are going to Harbin this weekend (7 Feb) so will try to investigate when the festival ends, I heard that it is when the sculptures start to melt they pull them down so I suppose it depends on the weather!
Feb. 1,2009 08:26
Mr.Clair(USA) replied:
I could be wrong but, I understand the festival to last 30 days with the begining being January 5th.
I hope to travel there in late March or April.
Feb. 10,2009 04:16
Ms.Lilly(USA) replied:
So...how was the investigation about Harbin?? Is the snow festival still going on??? till when??
Feb. 24,2009 02:00
Ms.wu(china) replied:
I think you can still catch it!Enjoy yourself in Harbin~!(smile)
Apr. 13,2009 00:59
Mr.Gilbert Tan(Malaysia) replied:
Hi Ms. Tan,
How's ur trip to Ha Er Bin? I plan to go end of the year ... can u share with me your experience? Do you go there as free and easy or follow the guided tour? How much is the air fare to and fro?
9.
Feb. 19,2009 23:28 Reply
Ms.JADD(malaysia) said:
hi,i plan to visit harbin on 8th of april.not sure there still got any nice place 2 visit?...
Apr. 13,2009 00:58
Mr.Gilbert(Malaysia) replied:
How much u paid to travel to Ha Er Bin? I plan to go end of this year... mind to share? Are you going there on free and easy or follow the guided tour?
10.
Jan. 13,2009 21:08 Reply
Mr.Jennifer said:
The Sun Island is also a famous venue for the ice sculpture. The ticket costs 120 yuan per person. When you get inside the scenic spots, you can take a tourist vehicle to get around for 15 yuan. Go to visit it when all the ice work has done, or you will feel it doesn't worth the money. Mid-January is fine and the high season comes around the Chines lunar New Year. Suggestions for visitors get to Harbin for the first time. Do not take horse open sleigh which costs 60 yuan per person. You can just take Bus No.29 to the Sun Island. The Polar Aquarium is just on the route there. Seems just opposite the Sun Island. You can finish watching the ice and snow sclptures within two hours and then pay a visit to the aquarium.
Jan. 19,2009 02:16
Mr.suu(india) replied:
very good suggstions regarding bus No>29!! such tips are highly aluabl for the frs timers.
Feb. 21,2009 13:26
Mr.Erin(Canada) replied:
We walked across the frozen river to get to sun island (Jan-Feb). It took less than 30 minutes. But it gets colder on the ice, so bring really good mittens and scarves! We also walked from Sun Island down to the Ice sculpture show - this took quite a while. In fact, we were in Ha'erbin for a week and we walked down the river several miles each day because it was so much fun!
Mar. 27,2009 06:08
Mr.tony(china) replied:
but if the weather is not cold enough,it is really dangerous to walk across the songhua river.so bus no.29 may be the better choice