Harbin

China's most prominent northern city, Harbin is famous for its brutally cold winters, some of which reach -36 degrees Fahrenheit (a chilly -38 degrees Celsius). Located in the northeast, the traditional homeland of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, for centuries Harbin was off-limits to non-Manchu settlers. Following China's opening to the world, however, Harbin became an increasingly cosmopolitan, prosperous city, and soon fell under the influence of Russia. Following the 1917 Soviet Revolution, a mass exodus of White Russians, or supporters of the Czar, fled to Harbin. Today, the Russian influences live on in Harbin's architecture and cuisine, and the city itself is pleasant and comfortable.

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Center Street

Take an early morning stroll down Center Street, the main artery of Harbin’s old city. Enjoy the beautiful early twentieth century Russian architecture, a rare sight in modernizing China.

Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival

If visiting in January or February, visit the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival, held in various locations around Harbin. Massive structures, including replicas of the Roman Coliseum and the Forbidden City, are finely crafted out of snow and ice, entire blocks of which are cut from the nearby Songhua River, creating a frosty wonderland of epic proportions.

Siberian Tiger Reserve

Drive to the nearby Siberian Tiger Reserve, where you can see hundreds of tigers and witness a feeding.

St. Sophia Cathedral

See the St. Sophia Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Christian church built in 1923 that houses an architecture museum of the city of Harbin.

Yabuli Ski Resort

Spend the day hitting the slopes at Yabuli Ski Resort, China’s largest ski resort and host of the 1996 Winter Asian Games.

China Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.

Shangri La Harbin

Shangri La Harbin

Harbin, China


Situated on the bank of the Songhua River in the center of Harbin, the Shangri La is the city's finest hotel and the perfect base for exploring this historic city or visiting the annual Ice Festival. The hotel has 404 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, all with high speed Internet access, satellite television, electronic safes, mini-bars, and impressive views of either the city or the river. Its in-house restaurants include Coffee Garden, which serves an international buffet/a la carte menu all day, while the upscale Shang Palace serves fine Chinese cuisine. Amenities include a pool, spa, gym and tennis court. The Shangri-La Harbin lies 45 minutes from Harbin Airport.


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Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

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