With its Russian-inspired historic quarter, it’s easy to see how Harbin earned its “Moscow of the East” nickname. Once a hub for Russian engineers building the Trans-Siberian Railroad, you’ll find an eclectic mix of Soviet churches, Confucian temples and Jewish synagogues dotted throughout the Chinese city. It’s also famous for its annual ice sculpture festival, which attracts artists from across the globe.
Things to do in Harbin
Most travellers gravitate towards the cobblestoned area of Zhongyang Dajie, the historic district’s main thoroughfare. The pedestrianised street is an architectural dream, lined with grand European-style buildings inspired by the Renaissance, Baroque and Eclecticism eras.
Towering above the city, the green-domed Saint Sophia Cathedral is Harbin’s most iconic Russian landmark. The Eastern Orthodox church houses a local history museum where you’ll find exhibits that highlight the Russian era and the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
Just across the river is Sun Island, home to the surreal Harbin Ice & Snow World. The theme park-sized attraction is famous for its year-round ice sculptures, though the atmosphere explodes during the annual Harbin Ice & Snow Festival held from early December to late February.
Down by the Sōnghuā River, Stalin Parka serves as a sanctuary for locals. At sunset, the leafy riverfront promenade is a great place for a stroll, where you can stop to admire historic statues, devour a crispy Chinese crepe or enjoy a scenic boat ride.
Getting around Harbin
If you’re not working your way down Zhongyang Dajie, then buses and taxis are the best way to get around Harbin. Cable cars can whisk you across the Sōnghuā River to Sun Island, with public ferries also making the trip. Harbin Taiping International Airport sits to the south-west of the city centre, with a taxi ride taking around 45 minutes.