Tobogganing
by mke1963
If you enjoy sitting with your bum two inches from the ground while you rocket down a slope on a tiny sled, then Harbin has plenty of places for you.
In many parks, but notably in Stalin Park by the Songhuajiang and at the Children's Park, you can rent little toboggans and slither around on the manmade slopes.
At the riverbank, there is also a huge structure, constructed every winter, which has a long - about 300 metre - slope divided into sections. Be warned that this particular run is wickedly fast and the toboggans are not suited for two people, despite what the staff say. Even with a small child in front of you, your knees end up outboard of the sled: a serious injury is a very real possibility in this situation.
Just alongside the big structure are several smaller (and cheaper) slopes running down onto the ice of the river.
Little Moscow
A history of...
by Fruiyersa
Little Moscow
A history of hardship and warfare, colonialism and co-operation means that Harbin has developed a very distinctive character. For centuries, this northernmost city has had a distinctive and influential relationship with its Russian neighbor so that locals have for many years given the city the nickname of 'Little Moscow'.
Harbin today, has developed from being a small and insignificant fishing village into a large city, know across the nation for its unique Russian characteristics. In 1896, the Russians began construction of a rail line from Vladivostok, through Harbin, and on to Dalian. The influx of migrant Russian workers during this time and again in 1917 when thousands of White Russian refugees fled the Bolsheviks, not only expanded the population but also introduced many special characteristics to the city.
The Russian presence continued after 1932 when the Japanese invaded as part of their attack on Manchuria. In 1945 the Russians returned for one year before returning the city to the Chinese in 1945. During the Cultural Revolution too, the city saw years of fractional fighting which destroyed many of the original Russian buildings which have today largely been replaced with skyscrapers.
There are however, still traces of Russia scattered around the city in exquisite buildings such as the Church of Saint Sofia and the streets around Zhongyan Avenue, which have retained many of their characteristic features. Perhaps even more obvious instances of the Russian influence here is in the cuisine (the Harbinese apparently inherited their love for ice cream from the Russians) and, the fact that the residents of Harbin are reportedly the biggest drinkers in China!
California Beef Noodle King U.S.A.
by John195123 about California Beef Noodle King U.S.A.
Well, I don't know what's California or U.S.A. about this place. There are lots of these restaurants all around the city. The food is simple, cheap and greasy.
One of the dished we had was a sweet red sauce (in oil) on red meat and fat and a white sauce on chicken and fat (in oil) with onions. Aside from the health issues, it was good.
We also ordered the soup that seemed to be standard there, which was plain with not much to recommend it, and only a little bit of meat with the noodles.
Still, I'd recommend the place just for the experience of eating at a place called, "California Beef Noodle King U.S.A.
The Sun Island - Snow Carving Festival
by ahoerner
This park is just across the street from the Ice World.
Although its name is "Sun Island", the park displays on winter an interesting exposition of figures carved in snow.
We visited this park during the day and I found it to be more interesting than the freezing Ice World from the evening before.
Harbin: Paris of China
by wenzhi_travels
We were expecting Harbin to be a stop-over and nothing more. In fact, it turned out to be one of our favorite cities. The city is clean, modern, and international. There's lots to do and the people we met there were friendly. Great Russian food! You can spend the day alone the river bank or cruise over to Sun Island, which despite Let's Go's warning of its being run down is actually really nice. You can spend several days over on the island, seeing the Siberian Tigers or checking out the ice scupltures. Even in the summer, Harbin has a lot to offer!
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Exterior of St Sophia's in central Harbin
Sculpture, Harbin Ice and Snow World
Blue, blue skies.
Night shot
