Nestled in the far North-East of China, Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, is a city that fascinates with its blend of rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty. With its unique geographic position near the Siberian border and its frosty winter temperatures, Harbin is known as “Ice City” and attracts millions of visitors every year at the world-famous Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, where intricate ice sculptures transform the city in a winter wonderland. Once a small rural fishing village on the Songhua River, Harbin was founded in 1898 with the coming of the Russian-built Chinese Eastern Railway- a shortcut from the Trans-Siberian Railway across northern Manchuria to the Russian port of Vladivostok. In the early 20th century, Harbin became not only a bustling commerce and transport hub, but also a melting pot of cultures, hosting Chinese, Russian, Jewish and Japanese communities. Landmarks like St. Sophia Cathedral or the Jewish- built New Synagogue emerged as symbols of this multicultural legacy, while in the 1920s, the city was considered China´s fashion capital: new creations and designs from Paris and Moscow reached Harbin before arriving in Shanghai. One of China´s largest cities today, Harbin remains proud of its history, its architectural treasures, vibrant museums and festivals: a city with a unique, almost European, character and heritage.
HARBIN Paris of the East
« Harbin Opera House ©Adam Mork
Harbin, China
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