Memoirs of Beijing

After experiencing Chinese New Year in Beijing in 2006, I told myself that I don’t want to be stuck in the city with nothing to do and being bored.  Ever since then, I’m usually out of town and either head back home or to a different location.  This year, my friend and I will visit the elusive Harbin.  I’ve been trying to visit this place for the past 3 years and I don’t want to mess it up this year.

Harbin (哈尔滨)

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang, which is the northernmost province of China.  It is dubbed as “Ice City” for its long and cold winter.  It is also famous for it’s winter ice sculptures which happens every year in January and February. 

In the 1920s, it is recognized as China’s fashion capital as the newest fashion passed by this city before heading towards Shanghai.  The city borders Russia and a lot of their architecture are influenced by their neighbor.

For students who are interested in learning Chinese, this city is the best place to learn it with their standard pronunciation and clear diction.  They don’t have the “r” accent which is typically heard in Beijing.  For women who like their men tall, the men I’ve met here in Beijing who are from this city are tall and handsome (hehehe).

Climate

Harbin enjoys four season but with relatively short autumn and spring.  Summers are hot and humid with temperatures averaging 21.2 degrees celsius.  Winters are freezing and cold with temperatures averaging -16.8 degrees celsius.  July is the wettest month with an average of 15 rainy days.

Winter in Harbin – Things to Do and Places to Visit

• Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival -  When people in the north are trying to get away from the cold, people in the south flock this northern city to experience snow and the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.  This festival begins every year on the 5th of January and is one of four of the world’s largest ice and snow festival.  There are two main exhibition areas:  Sun Island, best visited in the afternoon and Ice and Snow World which operates at night.
• Saint Sophia Cathedral – located at Daoli district.  This cathedral is a Russian Orthodox church completed in 1932.  It’s currently used as a museum and showcases multi-cultural architecture in Harbin.
• Central Street / Zhong Yang Street / Kitaiskaya Street – this 1.4 km long street is bustling with business activities and a living museum of multi-cultural architecture.  You will find Baroque and Byzantine influences mixed with Japanese, American, Russian and French.
• Siberian Tiger Park – located at the north bank of the Songhua river and is the largest natural park for the endangered wild Siberian tigers.  Admission fee is RMB 50 (adults) / RMB 25 (kids) and is open from 9am to 4pm
• Polar Bear Swimming – you’re already brave enough to stand the cold, why not go the next step and swim in the cold.  Elderly people swear by this method as it improves circulation and benefit health.  It also increases vitality and keeps skin looking younger.  Hmm.. I should check it out but I don’t think I’ll swim.

Preparation

I still haven’t bought our train tickets as it’s quite difficult to purchase prior to the Chinese New Year.  I’ll probably head to the nearest train ticket counter tomorrow if they go by the 10 days advance ticket order.  Hopefully the timing will be ok as it falls during the Chinese New Year holiday.  Once the tickets are bought, I’ll book the hotel. 

As for clothing, past travelers informed us that it’s cheaper to buy it there.  Hopefully I wouldn’t need to but if I have to due to the cold, I don’t have a choice. 

See you in Harbin!!!