HARBIN The “Ice City” in summer, hot and cold Location of Harbin Harbin is the birthplace of the Jurchen Jin Dynasty and is currently one of the political, economic and cultural centres of Northeast China. It is also a hot tourist city in the northeast and an international city famous with ice and snow culture, known as the “Ice City” and “Moscow of the East”. Harbin has four distinct seasons, but due to its high latitude, winter is long and summer is short, with average temperatures of 19 to 23°C in summer, making it a famous summer destination. While visiting the cool local attractions, visitors can also experience the lively summer holiday atmosphere, enjoy the cold and heat of the Ice City. What’s hot Harbin Polarpark Harbin Polarpark is one of the four major attractions of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. It is the first amusement park to provide polar themed entertainment in the world, with several classic original polar themed shows and a wide range of North and South Pole animals. In addition to the world’s only Beluga Show, the Penguin Scene Play, Ray Fish Show, Walrus and Sea Lion Show, there are many other dazzling music performances as well. One can also visit the newly opened Dinosaur Hall and meet dinosaurs from the Jurassic period from late July 2021. 3 Sun Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China (near the main entrance of Sun Island Park) Take bus Route 42, tour bus Line 1, 2, or 3 and get off at Taiyangdao Stop, then walk about 100 metres. 9am-5pm, daily 160RMB hrbpolarland.com Sun Island Located between the old town and the new town of Harbin, Sun Island, also known as “Taiyangdao”, is a river island on the north bank of the Songhua River, across the river from Stalin Park. Sun Island is known to visitors as a summer resort, one can enjoy both the spectacular snow sculptures in winter and the natural wilderness scenery features in summer on this island. Aside from the wild bird watching area, the island has over 20 man-made and natural attractions, as well as a Russian-style town at the southern end. 3 Jingbei Road, Songbei District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China Take bus no. 29, 80 or 88 and get off at Taiyangdao Stop, take a direct ferry to Sun Island from the Flood Control Memorial Tower, Jiuzhan Park or the Daowaiqidao Street Pier. Sun Island 8:30am-5pm, daily Ferry 9am-4pm Free admission to Sun Island, please check ticket prices for different scenic spots on the official webpage Return ferry ticket 10RMB taiyangdao.com.cn Volga Manor Located on the bank of the Ashi River in the suburbs of Harbin, Volga Manor is a tourist attraction based on Harbin’s history and Russian culture. The scenic area has the original scale and the original craft replica of Harbin’s landmark building—St Nicholas Church, Pushkin Salon, Petrov Art Palace, Piazza Cavalieri, the Three Bears Park which showcases Russian folk culture, and other attractions. Don’t forget to try the Banya, a Russian bath with hot steam followed by a cold dip in a sub-zero pool, which offering a hot and cold unforgettable experience for you in the trip. 16km of Hacheng Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China Take bus Route 377 and get off at Chenggaozizhen Stop, then transfer to bus Route 340 and get off at Fu’erjia Zhuangyuan Stop. 8:30am-5:30pm (St Nicholas Church), 9am-5pm (Indoor scenic spots), 10am-8:30pm (Restaurants) 100RMB volgamanor.com Saint Sophia Cathedral Built in 1907, Saint Sophia Cathedral is a landmark in Harbin and is currently the best-preserved Byzantine building in China. In addition to the Byzantine style, the church is also built in the Russian folk wood style, making it an authentic Russian-style Orthodox church with a strict form and appearance. Saint Sophia Cathedral has now been converted into Harbin Architecture Art Gallery, which showcases Harbin’s multicultural architectural developments, and no longer serves as a church. It is more beautiful at night, and the large series of musical fountains in front of the church are popular attractions. 88 Toulong Street, Daoli District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China Take bus no. 1, 5, 20, 61, 113 or Route 206 and get off at Zhaolinjie Stop, then walk about 400 metres. +86 451 8468 4170/6904 9am-5pm 15RMB Provence Lavender Manor About an hour’s drive from downtown Harbin, there is a Provence Lavender Manor, which is the most romantic and special presence of the summer in the Ice City. It is the largest lavender manor in Northeast China, and is only open for 3 months a year. The estate covers an area of 1,200 acres, and in addition to planting lavender, there are more than 50 kinds of flowers such as verbena, sage and peacock star grass. The scenic hilly terrain, with a drop of over 60 metres, offers the best views of the flowers. Visitors can also climb up the windmill viewing platform which is about 20-metre-high for photos. East of Dongfanghong Farm, Xiangfang District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China Take bus Route 356 and get off at Tongda Shizadian Stop, then walk about 921 metres. +86 400 6688 866 9am-6:30pm (Jul-Sep) 120RMB Zhongyang Pedestrian Street Zhongyang Pedestrian Street which built in 1898 is the epitome of Harbin. It was originally known as Chinese Street before being renamed to Zhongyang Street (means Central Street) in 1925. It is the busiest commercial street in Harbin, with 71 European-style and imitation European-style buildings, and 13 protected buildings in Renaissance, Baroque, eclectic and modern styles. Vehicles are not allowed to drive on this 1,400 metres long and 21.34 metres wide street. At night, the street is lit up with lights. Visitors should try the authentic Russian cuisine and the famous Modern Popsicle to cool off. Jingwei Street, Shangzhi Street, Daoli District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China Take bus no. 53, 113, 114 or Route 126 and get off at Zhongyang Dajie Stop. All day Free What to eat Guobaorou Guobaorou is a type of deep-fried meat with sweet and sour sauce, it is said to have been created during the Qing Dynasty by Zheng Xingwen, a chef of Harbin Daotai Governor. It is made with tenderloin as the main ingredient. To be authentic, the prepared dish must be golden in color, crispy but tender, sweet and sour. Harbin also has a number of halal restaurants that serve beef Guobaorou. Fried Dougan with Chillies Fried Dougan with Chillies is a traditional Northeastern dish made with high-quality “Dougan” (dried tofu) and “Jianjiao”, a type of Green Chili Pepper. The two main ingredients are stir-fried over a quick fire and thickened with water starch to cook this delightful dish. The green colour of the Jianjiao, the yellow colour of the Dougan and the right amount of spices have earned it the nickname of “national dish”. Northeastern Lapi Northeastern Lapi is a well-known snack in Northeast China. “Lapi” is a noodle-like food made from tapioca and potato starch. Boiled, cooled and shredded, Lapi is served with bean sprouts, shredded cucumber, fungus and coriander. It is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar and garlic paste and is usually eaten cold to bring freshness in the hot summer. Shuibao Tripe “Shuibao Tripe” with fresh lamb or beef tripe as the main ingredient is a halal snack. “Shuibao” is the practice of boiling the tripe at a high heat and the tripe is not suggested to be boiled for too long time. It can be eaten with a sauce made from sesame paste, coriander, chilli oil, soy sauce, vinegar, etc., either poured and stirred, or dipped. Where to go By train/ subway By taxi By bus On foot Day 1 Harbin Polarpark Lunch: Guobaorou Sun Island TIP Daowai Mosque 01 Dinner: Fried Dougan with Chillies TIP Songhua River Cableway 02 TIP The Daowai Mosque was built in 1908 and is 01 the largest mosque in the Northeast China. It is the main place of religious activities for the majority of Muslims in Harbin. TIP The Songhua River Cableway connects Stalin 02 Park, the Flood Control Memorial Tower, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street and Sun Island closely together. You can enjoy the blurred and dreamy scenery on both sides of the bank at night. Day 2 Volga Manor Lunch: Shuibao Tripe Saint Sophia Cathedral TIP Stalin Park 03 TIP Flood Control Memorial Tower 04 Zhongyang Pedestrian Street TIP Stalin Park is famous for its Russian 03 atmosphere, with artistic statues and buildings in the classical Russian style. It is one of the places to visit in the summer by the Songhua River, a great place to walk around. TIP The Flood Control Memorial Tower is one 04 of Harbin’s landmark buildings. This grand- looking tower with Russian style was built in 1958 to commemorate the victory of the locals over the great flood of 1957. Day 3 Provence Lavender Manor TIP Chinese Baroque Street 05 Lunch: Northeastern Lapi TIP Harbin Grand Theatre 06 Airport TIP Chinese Baroque Street is the largest and most 05 complete Chinese Baroque complex in China. It has an exterior in western style, but you will find a traditional Chinese courtyard inside. TIP The building is designed with a shaped 06 hyperbolic form. It features a unique pedestrian viewing corridor and viewing platform at the theatre, where visitors can overlook the surrounding wetlands and enjoy the natural scenery of Harbin.