Constructed in 1898, Central Avenue (Zhongyang Dajie) is Asia's longest pedestrian street running 1,450 meters north-south through downtown Harbin. The cobblestone street is lined with more than 70 buildings housing both European and Chinese style offices, shops and restaurants. Dubbed by locals as "the gallery of European architectural art" this street is a testament to Harbin's culturally diverse past and present. With many of the city's best shops and restaurants Central Avenue has become one of Harbin's greatest attractions.

 

 

With the completion of the Sino-Russian railway bringing an influx of Russians into Harbin, Orthodox churches were in high demand. In 1903 construction began on St. Sophia to meet the needs of the Russian Orthodox and to reinstate and unify their presence in the area during the Russo-Japanese War. Completed in 1907 the church was later expanded and renovated in 1923 and still stands proudly in Harbin's downtown today. The church reflects Byzantine architecture and is a truly unique site in China. The building with its round, green topped roof appears as though it should be standing in Moscow, yet many Harbinites attend the church's religious activities daily making this site not only an interesting piece of architecture but a holy place of worship in an unlikely location.

 

 

Built in 1953, Stalin Park (Sidalin Gongyuan) stands as evidence of the friendship between the world's two most powerful communist countries at that time. The park features a spread of flowerbeds, trees and themed statues. At the centre of Stalin Park stands the Flood Control Monument built to commemorate the tremendous feat of the Harbin people in controlling the massive flood of 1957. The 13m tall monument consists of one Roman style column topped with statues and a 7-meter-long curving corridor surrounding the column. Eleven small, semi-circular pools near the column mark the water level reached by the flood. More than four decades later another flood broke the monument's record, so the site was added onto to remember the victims of 1998's disastrous flood.

 

 

Harbin is best known for it's annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. With its close proximity to Siberia and its heaps of snow and fridged winter temperatures, there's no better place for an ice and snow sculpture competition than Harbin. 

 

The annual festival starts from January 5th and it lasts one month, but weather permitting, the exhibitions open earlier and last longer. 

 

The focal point of the festival is Zhaolin Park, located next to the Songhua River. During the festival, Zhaolin Park becomes home to array of ice carvings ranging from figures of human, animal, and birds to mythical as well as historic and political characters and figurines of world renowned attractions such as the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and Taj Mahal. 

In the evenings, the sculptures are lit up and ice-lantern park touring activities are held in many parks throughout the city. 

 

The Harbin festival is one of the world's four largest ice and snow festivals, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival.

 

A number of other winter events take place in the city at the same time as the festival: fireworks display, ice hockey competitions, winter swimming, skiing and speed skating events, football games on expansive snow grounds, poetry jamboree, and ice and snow cinematic festival.

 

Established in 1985 as a simple festival, the Ice and Snow Festival has now transformed into one of the biggest winter attractions in China. 

 

 

The Japanese Germ Warfare Experimental Base now shows little evidence of the atrocities of its recent past. Established in 1939 by Japanese troops to "research the capabilities of the soul and the endurance of the human body," the site is said to have witnessed the execution of over 3,000 POWs in horrific ways and the experimentation on 10,000 POWs and civilians from China, Korea, Mongolia, Britain and the former Soviet Union. 

 

Before the Soviets reclaimed the city in 1945, the Japanese army burned the site and destroyed all evidence of what had taken place there. This ongoing denial has left deep scabs that resist healing. In the 1980s, the truth came out, when a Japanese journalist published  his findings about the role of the army in Harbin. 

 

The museum commemorating the site is close to the location of the original base, 30km southwest of Harbin, near to the town of Pingfang. The museum is small and has little evidence of the true past, but it is worth a visit if you are interested in learning more about the history of the largest germ warfare experimentation site to have ever existed. 

 

 

Jile Temple (Jile Si) is one of northeastern China's most beautiful Buddhist temples. Built in 1920 by Master Yanxu, a famous disciple of the Tiantai Buddhist clan, the structure has several halls and rooms dedicated to Buddhist leaders and bodhisattvas. On the 8th, 18th and 28th of April (according to the lunar calendar), Buddhist festivals are held at the temple attracting many pilgrims, tourists and local people that take part in the religious ceremonies and participate in the local folk activities.

 

 

Situated on the northern bank of the Songhua River, the Siberian Tiger Park is the largest natural refuge for Siberian Tigers in the world. The park is home to about 70 tigers that are monitored and taken care of by the park tenants. You can check out the tigers as they roam freely and play around with one another.

 

Unlike the zoo, the park prides itself on keeping the animals as wild as possible in a very large enclosure. If you feel the need to bestow a gift on the tigers, you can buy a live chicken or cow for their lunch. One of the highlights of the place is watching these big cats tear live animals to shreds with their claws and teeth—not for the faint of heart.

 

As a visitor, you are allowed to get closer to these frightening felines than you might be comfortable with. Some visitors have almost lost their cameras to swiping claws. On the other hand, this may be the only time in life you'll get so close to a tiger, so be sure to hold on tight to your camera. This is well worth a visit.

 

 

Sun Island Park (Taiyangdao Gongyuan) is Harbin's most popular recreational spot for good reason. A collection of natural islands in the Songhua River just north of town makes this an ideal place for barbecues and picnics, swimming and relaxing during the summer months.

 

In the frigid winter months, much of the river ices over creating a beautiful natural ice skating and hockey outdoor arena. Sledding, skiing and many other winter games are organized here by the local Harbinites.

 

 

Historically the site of the royal hunting ground to the Manchurian Qing Dynasty, Yabuli's 23 sq km (14 sq miles) of mountainous terrain is China's largest ski area. With temperatures averaging around -10˚C (-23˚F), a visit can be quite uncomfortable if you don't bring the appropriate clothing.

 

The mountain offers skiers the most challenging runs in the country alongside easier routes for the less experienced. In 1996, the resort was chosen to host the 3rd Asian Winter Games and gained international recognition, allowing Yabuli to improve its facilities. Along with great skiing, Yabuli is also home to the world's longest toboggan run. The well preserved natural beauty of Yabuli gained the area National Park status in 1993.

 

 

Yuquan Hunting Ground (Yuquan Shoulie Chang) is the largest private hunting ground in China. Stretching for more than 3,000 hectares at the foot of the Changbai Mountain range, this destination is a sanctuary from China's occasionally dark and dingy cities.

 

Limpid streams, unusual flora and fauna, wild goats, deer and rabbits and the rare Siberian Tiger can all be spotted here. Aside from the obvious blasting away at the wildlife, these grounds also offer elementary-level skiing, horseback riding, delicious barbecues and a beautifully constructed hunter's lodge. And its important to keep in mind while aiming at the wild game, there is a hefty fee attached to each animal you successfully take down.

 

 

Built in 1900, Zhaolin Park encompasses 65,000 square meters (699,654 sq ft) along the bank of the Songhua River. Originally called Daoli, the park was renamed in 1946 to commemorate General Li Zhaolin, whose remains were buried in the park. It is here that Harbin's Annual International Ice Lantern Festival is held, beginning January 5th and celebrated through February.

 

Ice sculptures and replicas of famous buildings throughout the world are recreated and lit from within creating a magical site which attracts many Chinese and foreigners during the area's coldest months. However, if you find yourself in Harbin during a warmer month, the park can be just as enjoyable while the willows and spring flowers are in bloom.