Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China, is a vibrant city known for its unique blend of Chinese, Russian, and Manchurian influences, extreme winter climate, and rich cultural heritage. Situated along the Songhua River, Harbin serves as a political, economic, and cultural hub of the region, with a population of approximately 10 million in its metropolitan area.
By Plane
Taiping International Airport (Taiping International
Airport, formerly Yanjiagang Airport, IATA: HRB; 4 airport bus lines).
One international and one domestic terminal. With 20 million passengers
in 2018, it is one of China's busiest airports. International flights to
Japan and with Ural Airways to Siberian destinations.
By Train
Harbin (Harbin Central Station; Metro 2).
Harbin North (Harbin North
Station; Metro 2). Newly built in 2015, also for high-speed trains.
Harbin East (哈爾濱東 Hā'ěrbīn dōng, formerly Sānkēshù Zhàn 三棵樹站; Metro 1).
Regional train station on the routes to Bei'an and Lāfǎ (拉法站; 264 km).
Harbin South (哈尔滨南站; Nangang District. Metro 1) .
Passenger
trains have not stopped at Binjiang Station (濱江站) since 2018.
High speed trains from:
Dalian → Anshan → Shenyang (connection in
Shenyang-North from Beijing-Chaoyang (北京朝陽站, formerly P.-Xinghuo) and
Chengde-South) → Changchun → Harbin. Thanks to de-icing systems,
operation at 250 km/h is possible even in winter. In summer, the fastest
trains operate at top speeds of over 300 km/h.
Jiamusi (Chinese:
佳木斯市), 343 km; 200 km/h max.
Qiqihar (Chinese: 齊齊哈爾市), 286 km; 250
km/h max.
From Vladivostok or Chita, you can cross the border at
Station 5 (Russian: Станция No. 5) / Suīfēnhé (Chinese: 綏芬河, km 548) and
the Mǔdānjiāng railway junction (Chinese: 牡丹江, km 355) on the Binsui
Railway (Chinese: 鐵路路). The Mǔdānjiāng section has been developed as a
high-speed line since 2018.
Conventional rail routes in 2020 are
still:
From the border town of Manzhouli via Qiqihar, 935 km.
From
Blagoveshchensk (Blagoveshchensk) in Russia, across the Amur River from
Heihé (黑河市), 573 km.
From Bei'an, 333 km.
By bus
The
long-distance bus station is in front of the main train station. From
Beijing, the journey takes 18 hours, from Dalian, 10, and from Qiqihar,
5. A bus every morning goes to Vladivostok in 12 hours. Tickets are
available at the travel agency on the upper floor.
By road
Five express highways and five freeways run through the city or along
the bypass. It is surrounded by two ring roads, one with a six-kilometer
radius, the other (G10/G1011) with an eight-kilometer radius around the
city center.
By ship
This is China's first and only inland
port. Via its Songhua River, it is connected to the river system in
Heilongjiang Province, which also facilitates passenger shipping.
Buses operate between 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. and approximately 8:00 p.m. A
1-2-yuan fare is paid into the appropriate box upon boarding. If you
want to get off, you should stand clearly visible near the rear door.
Taxi drivers often forget to turn on the meter when picking up
foreigners; remind them by saying "Qǐng dǎ biǎo!" (請打表). Sometimes they
don't reset the previous passenger's timer, thus charging twice. It is
customary to charge a fuel surcharge of 1-2 yuan at the end of the
journey.
Metro
The first metro line opened in 2013. The plan
is to complete the full network with nine lines by 2028. The interchange
station for the first lines to be put into operation, Lines 1 and 3, is
Yīdàeryuàn (医大二院, Medical University, No. 2 Hospital).
Line 2
(28.7 km): Jiangbei University Town – Main Station – Museum (Transfer
1/2) – Meteorological Observatory (气象台).
Subways run from 5:00
a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets cost 2-5 yuan, depending on the route.
Location: Harbin lies on the southern bank of the Songhua River in
central Heilongjiang Province, approximately 1,200 km northeast of
Beijing. It is near the border with Russia, making it a key gateway for
Sino-Russian trade and cultural exchange.
Topography: The city spans
flat plains and low hills, with the Songhua River serving as a vital
waterway for transportation and tourism. The surrounding region includes
fertile black soil, ideal for agriculture.
Climate: Harbin has a
cold, continental climate with long, harsh winters (November to March)
and short, warm summers. Winter temperatures often drop to -20°C to
-30°C (-4°F to -22°F), while summers average 20°C to 25°C (68°F to
77°F). Heavy snowfall in winter supports its ice-based tourism.
Area:
The metropolitan area covers about 53,100 km², with the urban core
occupying roughly 700 km². Harbin administers nine districts, two
county-level cities, and seven counties.
Harbin’s history is a tapestry of indigenous, Chinese, Russian, and
Japanese influences:
Early History: The region was historically
inhabited by Tungusic peoples, including the Manchus, who established
the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234). Harbin’s modern development began in the
late 19th century.
Russian Influence: In 1898, Russia gained
concessions to build the Chinese Eastern Railway, transforming Harbin
into a major rail hub connecting Siberia to China’s northeast. Russian
settlers, followed by Jewish and Polish immigrants, shaped the city’s
cosmopolitan character, evident in its architecture and cuisine.
Japanese Occupation: During the 1930s and 1940s, Harbin was part of the
Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. The infamous Unit 731, a covert
biological and chemical warfare research unit, operated near Harbin,
leaving a dark historical legacy.
Post-1949: After the establishment
of the People’s Republic of China, Harbin became an industrial
powerhouse, particularly in heavy industry and manufacturing. In recent
decades, it has pivoted toward tourism, technology, and education.
Harbin’s culture is a vibrant fusion of Chinese traditions, Russian
heritage, and regional Manchurian elements:
Ethnic Diversity: The
population is predominantly Han Chinese (over 90%), with significant
Manchu, Korean, Hui, and Russian minorities. The Manchu influence is
visible in local dialects and festivals.
Cuisine: Harbin’s food
reflects its cold climate and diverse influences:
Northeastern
Chinese (Dongbei) Cuisine: Hearty dishes like guobaorou (sweet-and-sour
pork), di san xian (stir-fried eggplant, potato, and peppers), and
jiaozi (dumplings) dominate.
Russian Influence: Red sausage
(hongchang), borscht, and black bread are popular, especially in central
Harbin.
Street Food: Winter markets feature candied hawthorn sticks
(tanghulu) and frozen fruit skewers.
Festivals:
Harbin
International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival: Held annually from
January to February (sometimes extending into March), this is one of the
world’s largest winter festivals. Snow sculptures in Snow Sculpture Art
Expo on Sun Island and ice lanterns at Zhaolin Park draw millions of
tourists.
Harbin Summer Music Festival: A biennial event showcasing
classical and contemporary music, reflecting the city’s artistic
heritage.
Language: Mandarin is the official language, but the local
dialect incorporates Russian loanwords and Manchurian inflections.
Russian and English signage is common in tourist areas.
Harbin is a major economic hub in Northeast China, with a GDP of
approximately ¥600 billion (2023 estimate). Its economy is diverse,
balancing traditional industries with modern sectors:
Industry:
Historically an industrial powerhouse, Harbin excels in manufacturing
(machinery, automobiles, and chemicals), energy (petroleum and natural
gas), and food processing. Companies like Harbin Aircraft Industry Group
produce helicopters and small aircraft.
Agriculture: The surrounding
Heilongjiang region, known as China’s “breadbasket,” produces rice,
soybeans, corn, and dairy, supporting Harbin’s food industry.
Tourism: The Ice and Snow Festival generates significant revenue, with
millions of visitors annually. Summer tourism, centered on the Songhua
River and wetlands, is also growing.
Technology and Education: Harbin
is home to prestigious institutions like Harbin Institute of Technology
(HIT), a top engineering university, fostering innovation in aerospace,
robotics, and AI. The city hosts tech parks and startup incubators.
Trade: Proximity to Russia supports cross-border trade, particularly in
timber, oil, and consumer goods. The China-Russia Expo, held in Harbin,
strengthens economic ties.
Harbin’s attractions blend natural beauty, historical
significance, and modern spectacle:
Ice and Snow Festival:
The Snow Sculpture Art Expo on Sun Island features massive snow
carvings, while Ice and Snow World showcases illuminated ice
structures, some as tall as 50 meters.
Saint Sophia Cathedral: A
Russian Orthodox church built in 1907, now a museum of Harbin’s
architectural history. Its Byzantine-style domes are a city
landmark.
Zhongyang Street (Central Avenue): A 1.4-km pedestrian
street lined with European-style buildings, shops, and restaurants.
It’s a hub for Russian-influenced cuisine and souvenirs.
Songhua
River: In winter, the frozen river hosts ice skating, sledding, and
horse-drawn carriage rides. In summer, river cruises and cable car
rides offer scenic views.
Harbin Siberian Tiger Park: A
conservation and research center where visitors can observe hundreds
of Siberian tigers in a semi-wild environment.
Unit 731 Museum: A
somber site documenting Japan’s wartime biological experiments,
offering historical insights into the region’s past.
Sun Island:
A scenic park known for its summer greenery and winter snow
sculptures, also home to Russian-style villas.
Jile Temple: A
major Buddhist temple with intricate architecture, reflecting
Harbin’s spiritual heritage.
Yabuli Ski Resort: Located 200 km
from Harbin, it’s China’s largest ski destination, hosting
international competitions.
Education Hub: Harbin hosts over 50 universities, including HIT and
Harbin Medical University, attracting students from across China and
abroad. HIT’s contributions to China’s space program (e.g., lunar
rovers) underscore Harbin’s role in innovation.
Sino-Russian
Relations: Harbin is a key node in China’s Belt and Road Initiative,
facilitating trade and cultural exchange with Russia. The Harbin-Moscow
railway and cross-border e-commerce are growing.
Environmental
Challenges: Harbin faces air pollution from industrial activity and
winter heating, though efforts to promote green energy and public
transport are underway. The Songhua River’s water quality has improved
due to conservation measures.
Urban Development: The city is
modernizing with new metro lines (three operational, more planned),
high-speed rail connections to Beijing and Vladivostok, and skyscrapers
in the Harbin New District.
Population: Harbin has about 9.5 million residents (2023 estimate),
with 5 million in the urban core. Rural counties under its
administration account for the rest.
Lifestyle: Harbin’s residents
are known for their resilience to cold winters, with a vibrant outdoor
culture even in subzero temperatures. Night markets, hot pot
restaurants, and bathhouses (banya-style from Russian influence) are
social hubs.
Transportation: Harbin Taiping International Airport
connects to major Chinese cities and international destinations like
Seoul and Vladivostok. The city’s high-speed rail links to Beijing (7
hours) and Changchun (1 hour). Buses, taxis, and a growing metro system
serve urban commuters.
Economic Transition: Like much of Northeast China, Harbin is shifting
from heavy industry to a service- and tech-driven economy. Retaining
talent and attracting investment remain challenges.
Climate
Adaptation: Harbin’s tourism relies on cold winters, but climate change
threatens snowfall reliability. The city is investing in artificial snow
technology and diversifying summer tourism.
Cultural Preservation:
Balancing modernization with the preservation of Russian and Manchu
heritage is a priority, especially for landmarks like Saint Sophia
Cathedral.