Harbin Holidays

Situated in the far north of China close to the vast sub-Siberian plains, Harbin is a pleasant capital of Heilongjiang province. At one time a sleepy fishing hamlet (its name is a Manchu word meaning a ‘place for drying fishing nets’), Harbin’s benefited economically when the Russians linked it to both Vladivostok through the China Far East Railway, an extension of the Trans-Siberian railroad at the end of the 19th century.

The railway and the Bolshevik Revolution brought large numbers of Russians to Harbin, spurring economic growth, prosperity and Russian rule. Little pockets of Russian architecture appeared. Though the Russian’s are now gone and the city is no longer under Russian rule, today’s Harbin still vaguely resembles an outpost of Imperial Russia.

In the Daoli area, Zhongyang Dajie, a major thoroughfare boasts Baroque and Byzantine faÁades, good restaurants, shops and cafes, whilst the lanes leading off here are ideal for an interesting stroll. East of Zhongyang Dajie is the Church of St Sofia, Harbin’s most spectacular Russian edifice, and now a centre for architecture and arts. Dating from 1907, it is also the largest Russian Orthodox Church in the Far East.

To the north, Zhaolin Park is the setting for many of the ice sculptures of the annual Ice Festival, held from 05 January – 25 February. Close by, Harbin’s riverfront is dotted with memorials and parks including Stalin Park and Sun Island Park. In an area called Dong Dazhi Jie is a number Buddhist temples and the seven-tiered Qiji Futu Pagoda.