Harbin Travel Guide

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province in northeast China, and the country's northernmost major city. It grew from a railway hub built in the late 19th century, and since then its streets have been shaped by Russian and European influence. The winters are harsh, but the city turns them into a world-famous festival of snow and ice.Central Street is a cobbled pedestrian avenue lined with historic buildings in Baroque, Art Nouveau and other styles. Named a Chinese Historic and Cultural Street, it retains old hotels and shops, and at night the lamps light the cobbles. Rising in the city center, Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Byzantine-style church with a green onion dome, listed as a nationally protected cultural relic.The greatest winter draw is the ice and snow festival, built from ice blocks taken from the Songhua River. Palaces and slides of ice glow in many colors at night, creating a dreamlike scene. On Sun Island, snow sculptures stand in ranks, looking completely different by day and by night — the translucent blue of the ice world in daylight is a sight in itself.The food centers on hearty northeastern dishes built to endure the cold: guobaorou, sweet-and-sour pork, and pork stewed with vermicelli are local favorites. From its Russian heritage come borscht, dark bread and Harbin-style sausage. Taiping International Airport and Harbin West station link the city outward, and in winter people gather from across China for the ice festival.