Harbin is ranked as the tenth largest city in China, serving as a key political, economic, scientific, cultural and communications center of Northeastern China.    Harbin is originally a Manchu word meaning "a place for drying fishing nets". Harbin bears the nicknames "The Pearl on the swan's neck" because the shape of Heilongjiang resembles a swan, and "Ice City" for its long and cold winter. This city is most famous for its beautiful display of ice sculptures in winter and is known as China’s gateway to trade with Russia. In the 1920s, Harbin was considered to be the fashion capital of China as new designs from Paris and Moscow reached here first before arriving in Shanghai.

Why tour Harbin: Called the Oriental St. Petersburg, Harbin is considered one of China’s most beautiful cities. The city is well-known for its unique, Russian and European-influenced architecture. Harbin, well known among travelers is the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, this unique city and its surroundings are beginning to gain fame for other aspects, from the distinct Russian architecture of the former Church of St. Sophia to the ski resort at nearby Yabuli and the "gallery of European architecture" ,found along Zhongyang Dajie, a cobblestone-paved pedestrian street.
What to see & do in Harbin: Zhong Yang Street (Central Street, also known as Kitaiskaya St.), one of the main business streets in Harbin, is a perfect remnant of the bustling international business activities at the turn of the 20th century. The 1.4-km long street is a veritable museum of European architectural styles: Baroque and Byzantine fa?ades, little Russian bakeries, French fashion houses, American eateries, and Japanese restaurants. The Russian Orthodox church, Saint Sophia Cathedral, is also located in this central district of Daoli. St. Sophia took nine years to build and was completed in 1932. It has now been made into a museum as a showcase of the multi-cultural architecture of Harbin.
When to visit Harbin:Winter is a great time to visit Harbin, when the city is a fantastic world decorated by snow and ice.
Virtual Harbin tour:

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