Harbin

File:Harbin banner Ice festival - Ice Snow World

[HTTPS://WWWW.Wt0086.com/HarbinMTA/ Harbin (哈尔滨; Hā'ěrbīn) is the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China. The city is notable for its Russian influence and the yearly Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, giving it the unofficial title Ice City.

Harbin Halal Travel Guide

Ice Snow World - Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival

Harbin is China's northernmost major city, with a population in excess of 10 million, and over 4 million in the downtown alone. The city has been influenced a lot by neighboring Russia, in particular after the Russian Revolution of 1917, when the White Russians, Russians who supported the czarist state, escaped the newly formed Soviet Union. The influence remains clearly visible in the building styles and foods.

The city was founded in 1897 as a camp for Russian engineers surveying the Trans-Siberian Railway. Labor demands brought in a collection of outcasts from across Russia, Poland and even from within Manchuria. The city was captured by the Japanese during World War II and later captured by the Chinese in 1946. Once nothing more than a Russian-built outpost of the railway line, Harbin has managed to become a major player in its own right and the capital of Heilongjiang Province.

Recent history

Northeastern China was built up as an industrial center using existing Soviet and Japanese factories. By the 1980s these outdated and inefficient factories could not keep up. To further complicate matters, starting in the early 1990s, large portions of China's state-owned enterprise workers were laid off. Thus, like many other cities in this region, contemporary Harbin is struggling with an aging work force and unemployment. Private enterprise is mostly centered in the service sector, retail, restaurants, etc. with most large scale enterprises still state-owned. However and the province has thousands of state-owned enterprises up for sale, and many have been purchased since the late 1990s. Universities in Harbin also play a vital role in the economy in education and research and through their subsidiary companies.

In 2005 there was a major pollution spill on the Songhua river.

How is the Climate in Harbin

Harbin is known for its very cold winters: it is at the same latitude as Montreal, and winter temperatures as low as −38 °C (−36 °F) have been recorded; in January, temperatures average -24 °C to −12 °C. Bring more clothes than you will think you will need so that you can layer. Winter can become dreary if you are a long-term resident, as the entire city uses coal for heat; air quality rapidly decreases during these months. But it's not as bad as Beijing, many local residents wear their masks not for the pollution, but for the ice-cold wind and the frosty temperatures to heat up the air they breathe.

Harbin can be a great place to visit in the summer, with daytime temperatures normally in the upper 20s °C. Compared with most places in China and the weather is cool and it seems to be perpetually breezy, and most of the city's streets are lined with trees. Because the city is so cold all winter, life almost explodes and people crowd the streets until late at night eating kabobs, playing poker, and drinking Harbin Beer (哈啤 Hapi). This is a great escape from the heat of Beijing. A trip up to the border regions this time of year would be nice as well.

Travel to Harbin

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Harbin

{{Listing Harbin Taiping International Airport 哈尔滨太平国际机场 Hā'ěrbīn Tàipíng Guójì Jīchǎng, HRB GPS 45.6194,126.2345 Harbin Taiping International Airport =. Harbin's sole airport and one of the main international airports of Northeast China. The airport is 37 kilometers from the downtown near the town of Taiping. Flights from the airport serve dozens of domestic destinations along with a small but growing list of international destinations in Russia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Province of China, Thailand and Singapore.
The airport is small, but there are a few restaurants and snack bars selling local delicacies, Chinese and international food, and a nearby hotel if you happen to get stranded. If you are flying out of Harbin most ticket agencies can arrange transportation to be included in the cost of the ticket. Another option is to take a taxi, which costs around ¥200-130. Always negotiate this price before the ride, though. Drivers will make their meters read more for the ride otherwise or try to get you to pay for the highway ticket in addition. Please ask the taxi driver for invoices and take down the vehicle number if necessary. It is safe to take a taxi with official certification at the airport. There are also four bus services to downtown Harbin. Tickets cost ¥20 and take around 1 hour. Purchase bus tickets at the booth inside the terminal before heading outside to board the bus.

Airport Bus Line 1 - Airport 机场 - Kang'an Lu 康安路 - Tongda Jie 通达街 - Anfa Qiao 安发桥 - Harbin Railway Station 哈尔滨站 - CAAC Building 民航大厦

Airport Bus Line 2 - Airport 机场 - Haining Fur City 海宁皮草城 - Ling Gongli 零公里 - Chilun Lu 齿轮路 - Harbin West Railway Station 哈尔滨西站 - Fuzhuang Cheng 服装城 - Xuefu Binguan 学府宾馆 - Hexing Shangsha 和兴商厦 - Lesong Guangchang 乐松广场 - Guolu Chang1 锅炉厂¹ - Haci Jituan1 哈慈集团¹ - Tongxiang Shangdian1 通乡商店¹ - Nongken Dasha 农垦大厦- Tianyang Binguan 天洋宾馆 - Huizhan Zhongxin 会展中心

¹ Bus only stops during morning and evening peak hours.

Airport Bus Line 3 - Airport 机场 - Chengxiang Lu 城乡路 - Guxiang 顾乡 - Anhong Jie 安红街 - Zhongyang Dajie 中央大街 - Ba Qu 八区 - Daowai Long Distance Bus Station 道外客运站 - Jungong 军工 - Taiping Qiao 太平桥 - Harbing East Railway Station 哈尔滨东站

Airport Bus "Hazhan" Line - Airport 机场 - Harbin Railway Station 哈尔滨站

By train

Harbin Railway Station 01 - Harbin Railway Station

Being a major Chinese city, Harbin is well connected by train and is a convenient way to travel. The city is served by several train stations, so the station you arrive or depart from will depend on the train you take. Be sure to confirm which station your train calls at beforehand. The major train stations in Harbin include:

Harbin Railway Station - 哈尔滨站 | 1 Tielu Jie 45.75962, 126.62733 - This station is served by the 'slower' and overnight trains. The type of train you board will determine the duration of your trip: Beijing (10-13 hours), Tianjin (12-13 hours), Dalian (9-12 hours) and Shenyang (4-7 hours). If you have time to spare at Harbin Station and there are a few 24-hour eateries across the road and a couple of affordable hotels within the area. Also and there are many non-official taxis waiting outside, which should be avoided by tourists. Free Wi-Fi is provided, but one needs a Chinese SIM card to receive a text message and activate the Wi-Fi.

Harbin West Railway Station - 哈尔滨西站 | 45.70431, 126.57362 - A new train station built in 2012 to the West of the downtown and is served by high speed bullet D-trains that operate during the day and evening. D-trains that call here come from major cities including Beijing (8 hours), Tianjin (8 hours), Dalian (5.5 hours) and Shenyang (3 hours). From the station you can reach the downtown by taking bus 96 to Harbin Railway Station, costing ¥2. Taxis are also available.

Harbin East Railway Station - 哈尔滨东站 | Nanke Jie - GPS: 45.78632, 126.70446 A fairly minor station within Harbin, although updated, with trains from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, Russia calling here. Beyond this and the station serves local and regional trains. Can be reached by its own metro station at the north east side of line 1.

There are also several minor train stations within the city. These stations serve regional and local trains and in most cases the typical traveller will not need to use them.

By car

Harbin is connected to the rest of China via the China Highway 102 via Changchun. Harbin is also connected via road to Inner Mongolia, Russia, and Jilin.

Travel on a Bus in Harbin

The main long-distance bus station (长途客运站 Changtu Keyun Zhan) is across the square from main train station.

The majority of cities in Heilongjiang can be visited via bus.

Beijing - and it takes about 18 hours
Mudanjiang - and it takes about 4 hours. Frequent departures.
Qiqihar - and it takes about 5 hours
Changchun - and it takes about 4 hours
Jilin - and it takes about 6 hours
Dalian - and it takes about 10 hrs
Shenyang - and it takes about 8 hours
Wudailanchi - and it takes about 6 hours
Yanji - and it takes about 9 hours

Traveling to Russia

Vladivostok - and it takes about 12 hr

One daily departure which leaves early in the morning. Buy tickets in the Russian travel agency on the second floor of the bus station. The price is basically the same as going through Mudanjiang/Suifenhe on your own.

If you have all your papers sorted and the border crossing is straightforward. Guards on the Chinese side speak fluent English and might be curious of non-Russian/Chinese passports. You are required to take all your items with you when crossing the border, do not leave bags on the bus.

How to get around in Harbin

- 哈尔滨麦莎慢摇酒吧俱乐部 | (道里区兆麟街21号) - A large club with lots of singing and performances. Mostly tables but there are people dancing.

Dijie Manyao Cafe - 帝街慢摇吧 | 2 Manzhouli Jie (满洲里街2号) - Another bar with scantily clad dancers.

Camp David - 大为营 | Looks like a giant castle, used to be the expat hangout in Harbin before Blues. Full of people nonetheless.

Guang Zai | Near Yiman Street - Frequented mostly by young people. Atmosphere is good.

Bars

Most bars in the city are clustered around the universities and tourist neighborhoods. The Development Zone has some cafes as well but they are more expensive.

The campus of Harbin Institute of Technology (复华小区) is surrounded with a number of small and cozy bars. HIT itself has a number of foreign teachers and hundreds of foreign students. Some notable bars here are:

Sky Bar/Cafe: A new bar back on the scene after closing down a couple of years ago. A cosy little pub in an old Russian-style building. Widest range of imported soft drinks in town. Amazing fish and chips, Burgers and other pub food. Staff are fluent in English and good to sit around and chat too. Big screen TV for live sports....just ask them and they will put it on for you. They have Trivia every Thursday and Texas Hold'em on Tuesdays. The best place to hang and meet others in "The Bin." 南岗区砖街13号（曲线街砖街交口附近）。

At the middle portion of Guogeli Dajie (果戈里大街) near Children s Park (儿童公园) there is a small man made lake that is surrounded by 10 or so small pubs and a fountain. During the warmer months this small square is packed with people out for a night stroll and is really lively. This also seems to be a place for the trendy teens and college age kids to hang out. If you continue walking down Guogeli Dajie there are a few more small bars dotting the street. Great for people watching! For about ¥200 you can order a "soft drink tower" (啤酒塔 pijiuta), which is a tall plastic tube with a spigot on the bottom. At the other end of the lake there is a restaurant that resembles TGI Friday's (Please do not support TGI Friday's as TGI Friday's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant), as besides the name being changed to DJ Friday's almost everything else has been copied. What makes this place really stand out from the real TGI Friday's (Please do not support TGI Friday's as TGI Friday's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) are the scantily clad Russian dancers.

Near Heilongjiang University (黑龙江大学) right across from the main gate are several small bars and pubs to accommodate the huge Korean and Russian student population.

Teahouses and cafes

There are a number of very nice teahouses in the New Development Zone (开发区). Most will rent you a room and will charge by the hour, plus whatever tea you decide to drink. Some of the teahouses are on Hengshan Lu (衡山路) such as 君如意茶楼，雅泰茶楼.

Rumi Cafe - 入迷咖啡 - A7#13 Seasons of Berlin, Academy St., University Area, Harbin(哈尔滨学院路柏林四季A7#13) ☎ +86 451-88122316 +86 451-88122316 Opening Hours: Open 10:00-22:00
Be For Time - 避风塘茶楼 | Two locations: 102 Xidazhi Jie, under Pacers near HIT (南岗区西大直街102号) and 2 Linxing Lu (南岗区林兴路2号) Opening Hours: Open 24 hours ¥28 all you can eat/drink

UBC Coffee - 上岛咖啡西餐厅 | 186 Gongchang Jie (道里区工厂街186号)
Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) Zhonyang Dajie one in Europlaza and one in the junction in a bigger shopping-mall, quite at the beginning of Center Street. a bit more expensive than usual in China, price range is converted about the same as in Europe, and not necessarily good, especially the Snacks there are targeted at Chinese who want to feel a bit the European flair Coffee house, here you can meet a lot of foreigners

Costa Coffee | Zhonyang Dajie, quite close to the Flood Monument, next to a Russian Shop and Babelas Kitchen a bit cheaper than Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) in some things, but mainly the same applies here too, Chinese western Snacks and no real coffee Coffee House, unlike Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) it's packed with people and you can still meet a lot of foreigners here

USA Bucks | Zhonyang Dajie - Coffee house and bar

Luyu Cafe - 鹿鱼咖啡 | 43 Hongzhuan Jie 红专街43号(靠近中央大街) 45.7712, 126.6109Just a few meters left from Zhongyang St. ☎ +86 136-13644362¥70 This is a good place to relax and escape the crowds or to warm up on a cold winter day. Situated in a historic Russian building right next to Zhongyang street and the warm atmosphere and nicely decorated surroundings, combined with a creative coffee blend from the friendly owner, will let you forget that you're in a city with a population of 10 million.

Live music

There is a Jazz Cafe on GuogeLi Dajie that often has a piano/sax duo playing, and guitar/vocalists can be found at some of the smaller bars around HIT and Hei Da.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Harbin

Harbin - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Harbin, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Harbin. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Harbin and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Harbin. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Harbin. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Harbin: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Harbin.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Harbin: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Harbin, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Harbin.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Harbin, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Harbin, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Harbin and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Harbin, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Harbin, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Harbin without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Harbin is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Harbin.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Harbin is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Harbin, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Harbin Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Harbin

eHalal Group Harbin is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Harbin. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Harbin.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Harbin ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Harbin. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Harbin, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Harbin are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Almost every bath house in the city has a large room with 50-100 plush beds where you can spend up to 24 hours. You can also lock your belongings in a locker and use their shower facilities, most of them have an 'all you can eat' buffet as well. Total around ¥70 which just can't be beat. Look for signs that say 洗浴 and make sure its fairly big as the smaller ones will not provide these types of services. When you come in pack light as to not look suspicious. This is not recommended for inexperienced travelers and it is highly unlikely any of the service staff will speak English.

Other budget options include:

Kazy Int'l Youth Hostel Harbin - 哈尔滨卡兹国际青年旅舍 | @.com 82 Tongjiang Street in downtown ☎ +86 451 87654211 +86 451 84697113 Kazy Youth Hostel Harbin in downtown, next to the central pedestrian street(Zhongyang Dajie) and Songhua River. A great hostel in a synagogue, cozy, comfortable and excellent English speaking staff in a valuable price. Wi-Fi, Laundry, Tour arrangements and other services also available.

Harbin Institute of Technology Foreign Students Dorm 6 | 5 Gongjian Street, Nangang District, HIT Campus ¥70 - ¥200 There are two foreign students dorms at HIT that may have overnight lodging. Each room has its own bathroom/TV with good heating during the winter. Can be full during the holidays. Central location with good security. Refused lodging to non-HIT students in October 2007. Not likely to accommodate you, and you are best to exhaust other options before attempting.

Metro Hotel - 麦德龙宾馆 | Right next to the Metro market (道里区埃德蒙顿路职工街1号) ☎ +86 10-62979009 ¥200 - ¥250 Small motor inn besides the Metro Market. A good 15-20 minutes taxi ride from the downtown but Harbin taxi's are cheap, also the Metro has a free shuttle service to Zhongyang Dajie and other locations around the city. Quiet and you can get whatever you need at the market next door.

Meijia (Beautiful Home) Apartment - ☎ +86 18249460499 - In downtown, about 40 minutes by bus from Harbin Airport. It is cozy, clean and safe. The facilities include TV, air conditioner, fridge, 24 hour hot water, microwave oven, double beds, bedsheets, blankets, closet and with good heating in the winter. Priced at ¥299 per day, including electricity and water fees. Skype: Meijia Apartment

Harbin Overseas Chinese Hotel | 72 Hongjun Street, Nangang ☎ +86 451 3641476 +86 451 3623439
Harbin Modern Hotel | 89 Zhongyang St., Daoli ☎ +86 451 4615846 +86 451 4614997 Fantastic location, right in the middle of the pedestrian mall of Zhongyang Dajie. Very limited English but quite helpful staff, and the history of the hotel makes it an interesting place to stay. There are old artifacts in the lobby such as old movie projectors and silverware. Rooms are comfortable and range from standard to suites.

Gloria Inn Harbin - 257 Zhongyang Avenue, Daoli ☎ +86 451-8463 8855 +86 451-8463 8533 GREAT location, right on the main street

Sinoway Hotel (Twin Towers) | 2 Yiyuan Street, Nangang ☎ +86 451-86291111 Decent hotel with English-speaking staff right in Hongbo square

Shangri-La Hotel - 香格里拉大饭店 | 555 Youyi Rd., Daoli 45.764744, 126.595225 ☎ +86 451 4858888 +86 451 4621777 - By far the nicest hotel in town with good service and facilities, far cheaper than other Shangri La's and offers big discounts most of the year except for the ice festival.

Kunlun Hotel | 8 Tielu Street, Nangang 45.758987, 126.632092 ☎ +86 451 3606688 +86 451 3600888
Holiday Inn - 万达假日酒店 | 90 Jingwei Street, Daoli 45.767123, 126.62014 ☎ +86 451 8422-6666 +86 451 8422-1661 - Their soft, white sheets and helpful, English-speaking staff make this hotel one of the best places for English language visitors to Harbin.

Friendship Hotel - 友谊宫宾馆 - 263 Youyi Rd., Daoli 45.776801, 126.609739 ☎ +86 451 84880668 +86 451-84617132 Great location, walking distance to Zhongyang Dajie and decent rooms.

Sofitel Harbin - 万达大酒店 | 68 Ganshui Lu, Xiangfeng 45.740192, 126.67917 ☎ +86 451 82336888 +86 451-82331818 Formerly Singapore Hotel (新加坡大酒店) and "Wanda Hotel", this is arguably Harbin's only other 5 star hotel, out in the new development zone, so not your best option, but if you are in town for business and you are looking for something other than the Shangri-La, this is the hotel for you. Newer facilities may mean better conditions than the Shanggrila.

Victories Hotel - 华旗饭店 | 301 Hongqi Street, Kaifaqu 45.753459, 126.698293 ☎ +86 451 81868888 - This hotel is billed as Harbin's 3rd 5-star hotel, but most likely it's 3-4 stars. It's also way out at the edge of the city by the exhibition center, but due to this, prices can drop. If you have business at the expo center, this is the place to be.

Other 5 star hotels have been established. The New Paris Hotel is a 5 star hotel that is quickly gaining popularity. It has very luxury facilities and a very impressive lobby. Bremen Hotel is also a nice hotel, it has been said that the Bremen Hotel in Harbin, has possibly the most comfortable beds in Harbin. These two hotels are in central Harbin. Both on Zhongshan Road.

Stay Safe

While it is unlikely that you will be a victim of a crime, as in any large city be vigilant about your personal property, exercise care if you find yourself on a lightly traveled street, and always be aware of your surroundings.

Most trouble that people run into in Harbin revolves around drinking at the clubs. Harbin is famous in China for being a "rough" city, and local residents pride themselves on their machismo. Fights are common on the weekends and while this may not directly involve you, it’s best to leave at the first signs of conflict. Don’t expect bar security to come to your rescue.

Avoid going to clubs alone.
Be vigilant of your personal property and be aware of your surroundings. Especially if you're taking the bus, Chinese buses are crowded and you will be shoved and pushed a lot, if you're standing at the doors it's all the worse.
Be careful when crossing the street. Keep an eye on the local residents and cross with them.
Dress warmly and in layers during the winter months.
Avoid fish caught in the Songhua River as it was contaminated by benzyne in November 2005 – fish is available from the many lakes surrounding Harbin.
Avoid going into small bathhouses and small KTV alone, as you may end up being forced to pay for a bill you didn't order. If you choose to go, be mindful of what you are getting into and leave at the first sign of illegal activity. People interested in a "massage" with extras should avoid doing it in Harbin.

Free emergency telephone numbers:

Police: 110.
Fire alarm: 119.
Medical care: 120.

Remember these three telephone numbers. They are valid on most of the Chinese mainland.

Foreigners in Harbin

The vast majority of the foreigners living in Harbin are either Russian or Korean, with the Russians obviously being the more visible of the two. Expats should be aware that all Caucasians are automatically "Russian" as far as the local population is concerned, and that relations between said Russians and the local Chinese population are rocky at best. Much of the famous "Dongbei hospitality" has worn thin, with native Harbiners holding an increasingly negative view of foreigners in general. But that does not under any circumstances mean that they will not stare at you or take pictures of you, especially if you have fair hair and coloured eyes, and for men a beard. Some will come up to you and ask for a picture with you or if they can touch your hair, but more often than not you will just "accidentally" find yourself in the viewfinder of a mobile phone or camera.

There are also a small number of European and Brazilian professionals working in the city, as well as a number of English teachers hailing from various countries. However and the lack of foreign investment in the province as a whole means that most of the resident expats are either students or teachers. There are also a number of African and Middle Eastern students studying at the high-profile Harbin Institute of Technology.

Hospitals and emergency contacts

No. 1 Hospital of Harbin Medical University | No. 5 Youzheng Street Nangang District ☎ +86 451-364 1918, +86 451-360 7924, +86 451-364 1563
No. 2 Hospital of Harbin Medical University | No.247, Xue Fu Road Nangang District 150086 ☎ +86 451 666-2962 - All doctors in Department No. 2 can assist foreigners.

Provincial Hospital | No. 82 Zhongshan Road, Xiangfang District Harbin, Heilongjiang 150036 ☎ +86 451-566 2971
US Consulate Shenyang 24 Emergency Hotline | ☎ +86 137-0988-9307

Telecommunications in Harbin

Harbin Interpreting Company - Very good English speaking services in Harbin.

Internet Cafe's in Harbin

The city is littered with net bars (网吧 wangba) that are usually very affordable and do not require I.D at the door like the ones in Beijing. The biggest Internet cafes are near the universities like Harbin Institute of Technology and Hei Da. Be forewarned that sometimes you may have to wait for a computer depending on what time of day it is (17:00-24:00 are the worst, school is out) and that the Internet connection can sometimes be down for days at time in various parts of the city. Also and these places are filled with a haze of smoke and Chinese screaming obscenties after they lost a game of Counter Strike or World of Warcraft.

All of the computers are in Chinese language, but still using windows so its relatively easy to use. You cannot print at Net bars. If you are looking to print something try going to a print or copy station — look for the Chinese characters 复印 (fuyin) or 打印 (dayin).

☎s

If you are looking to refill the minutes on your China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom SIM card, you might have trouble, as very few locations in the city sell the refill cards. In Harbin, you have to go to an actual store and pay the money to a teller to have your phone refilled and oftentimes you can refill out of town numbers at China Mobile or China Unicom Branches.

Shipping

DHL and UPS both deliver to Harbin but through Chinese shipping companies.

Heilongjiang Datian International Shipping Company - 黑龙江大田国际货运有限公司 | 232 Hesong Jie, Daoli Disrict (哈尔滨市道里区河松街232号) ☎ +86 451 8489 7599, +800 988 1888, +400 886 1888 (FedEx Client Service Line) - Main Fedex agent in Harbin.

Cope in Harbin

Harbin is known for its cruel winter weather. Be sure to have adequate clothing and protect the extremities. Gloves, thick socks, scarves, and ear protections are a must.

You can also get warm patches in some stores. Try to get some of these if you are going to spend more than a few hours outside. Most patches will last between 4 and 6 hours. Wear them under the clothes but not in direct contact with the skin.

If you are in Harbin for the long haul, try to get away to somewhere warm during the winter break such as Hainan or Thailand.Also, an excursion to Beijing is a must for anyone staying in Harbin for any considerable amount of time.

News & References Harbin

Travel Next

Wudalian Chi - - Volcanic lake surrounded by forests and small farming communities a train and bus ride away from Harbin. Take the train to Dedu and then a 2 hour bus ride to the lake.

Mudanjiang and surrounding areas | This is a short train ride from Harbin and within short bus rides you can reach Mirror Lake and the Underground Forests, and the Yabuli ski resort.

Zhalong National Nature Reserve - - Huge bird preserve near the city of QiQihaer, can be visited by a short 5 hour train ride from Harbin.

Daqing - - 2 hour train ride from Harbin, this city is home to China's largest oil fields.

Hulunbeier Grasslands | Inner Mongolia - Take the train to Hailaer and under 12 hours (overnight) you can find yourself on some of the world's biggest grasslands, stunningly beautiful. Summer is the best time to go.

Dalian - - Dongbei's most modern and cleanest city, right on the coast. A great weekend getaway if you are in Harbin for an extended period of time and looking to catch some fresh seaside air

Deer Flat mountain ski resort - 平山神鹿滑雪场 | Pingshan deer ski field is in A Cheng city of Heilongjiang Province town, 70 kilometers away from Harbin, is Heilongjiang province SSS tourist resort, which can accommodate up to 3000 people skiing, skiing for a period of 11 month to second years in March every year.
Yabuli - 亚布力; Yàbùlì | Within 2 hours of the city Yabuli is one of the largest skiing areas in China and venue for the 1996 Asian Winter Games.