Harbin Local Customs

The winter climate is so cold that roadside stalls do not need refrigerators. Ice creams, meat, milk and other foods normally kept in a freezer are just left outside on a shelf. It is quite bizarre to see ice-lollies just sitting next to the chewing gum, cigarettes and biscuits.

So how exacty do they get the huge of blocks of ice to make the sculptures that are found all around the city? The river obviously, but also from the other lakes and streams in the cities many parks.
They use a wheeled machine with a circular wood saw attached to a small two-stroke engine. However, if you think about it, it's not al quite as simple as you might think. It's easy enough to cut downwards, but not across. Local knowledge, handed down by generations of ice-cutters tells them when the ice is just thick enough so that it is the right 'height'. A micture of machinery and what might be called indigenous knowledge.

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In the commercial heart of Harbin, the only way to cross major arteries is to go underground.

You go through heavy dark quilted curtains that keep the cold out and you're in a large underground mall. By then you've turned a few times, so you don't remember which way you want to go before you go back to the surface. It's a game of chance. If you don't read Chinese (and I only speak) you can't tell where you are without climbing all those steps back up...

People in restaurants, hotels, shops taxi's and so on do not expect to get a tip, so don't. The prices aren't that cheap and include their salaries.

If you ask somebody a question and he reacts with a big smiles before replying, it means he does not agree to you request.

If, as a western person, you hear chinese talk together, you might think they are having a fight. That is not the case, its their normal way of talking. If they are talking very quietly, watch out!

In China, it is forbidden to spit on the ground. Even so, everybody does it. Watch out for your shoes.

Queueing: I allways thought that Chinese where so polite! Not so in queueing: Get there first, get there fast, the more balls, the quicker you get to end of the queue. If you politely wait as you are used, everybody will get past you.

people are very friendly there, usually some young people and most of the teenagers can speak a little english, so if you don't speak chinese, don't worry, there will be someone who will be able to help you. if you were ever invited in to anyone's house, please don't by any lily for present, and if you heard any niose when eatting, don't mind, because that represents the food is great.