hkskyline's 2019 in Harbin's Winter Wonderland

[hkskyline]

After surviving brutal winters in Chicago, Toronto, and Yellowknife, I ventured into the northeastern part of China to explore a famous winter wonderland that is starting to get international attention.

The Russians came to Harbin as part of their railroad-building efforts from Vladivostok, and their architectural legacy is still visible in the city today. Getting here is fairly easy - either a 2 hour flight from Beijing, or a 7.5 hour high-speed train ride.































The city hosts the world's largest ice and snow festival every year, and is the main reason why you should brave bitterly-cold temperatures to visit. The festival is hosted across the Songhua River on a huge site spanning over 750,000 sq m. The 2019 festival featured 2000 ice sculptures with the ice coming from the nearby river.























More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/harbin.htm

[Coldrsx]

On my list... given that we are sister cities and both working on our winter tourism.

[Sun Belt]

Cool!

[mrnyc]

very cool.

ice ice baby.

and the glimpse of that aerial tram? wow it is impressively long.

[ColDayMan]

Extremely impressive. Thanks!

[DetroitSky]

Those ice sculptures are amazing! Thanks for the tour!

[hkskyline]

The entry fee of RMB 330 is quite steep, so first visit in the late afternoon when crowds are thin, and watch the whole site light up as the sun sets. The tour buses typically arrive after dark and the place is bustling well into the night.



















More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/harbin.htm

[plinko]

Very much on my list.

Excellent photos.

[Ruperta]

It's stunningly beautiful.

[geomorph]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Forgive my mild sunny climate-ignorance, but is all this...dangerous?

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by geomorph

Forgive my mild sunny climate-ignorance, but is all this...dangerous?

It is indeed cold, as bad as -30C at night. There are heated huts scattered around to warm up. I spent a good 3-4 hours on-site to see both day-time and night-time views. It is an expensive admission after all so I had to make the most out of it. Luckily, the wind was calm that day and there was barely any windchill to worry about.

[SpongeG]

is that like a subway entrance? looks like an interesting place

[muppet]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

It is indeed cold, as bad as -30C at night. There are heated huts scattered around to warm up. I spent a good 3-4 hours on-site to see both day-time and night-time views. It is an expensive admission after all so I had to make the most out of it. Luckily, the wind was calm that day and there was barely any windchill to worry about.

I think he meant building structurally with ice.

Geomorph, look at it as building with blocks that will be melted into each other to create one giant singular piece. Ice is about 2.6x lighter than concrete and half as strong, so lb for lb ice can be stronger - and little chance of melting or slipping at -30C. Architecturally you'll also notice the wide use of arches to further support frames.


But I get it, if I saw this Id be a bit worried to enter it, but if I saw it cast in concrete or stone I wouldn't even think.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

is that like a subway entrance? looks like an interesting place

It's a store entrance, but the store is actually underground. The metro system hasn't made it to the historic city centre yet.

[Nightsky]

Beautiful city and winterland! Harbin looks more Russian then Chinese.

[hkskyline]

While the Ice and Snow World is best at sunset and at night, Sun Island's other winter festival, the International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition, is best visited during the daytime. You can link the two together by first visiting the snow sculptures, then head across to the other side of the island for the ice sculptures later in the day.

The snow sculptures are less busy as the crowds are spread out throughout the day. You can either take the cable car that spans across the Songhua or walk across the frozen river from the city centre. After paying a hefty 330 RMB, you emerge in corridors of snow sculptures scattered throughout the vast park. Free shuttles take you around when your legs can't handle the walk anymore.





























More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/harbin.htm

[Murphy de la Sucre]

2019 and before

[Murphy de la Sucre]

2019 and before, were good years

[hkskyline]

Away from the city centre, the Russian architecture doesn't appear to be in as good state. A short bus ride away is Laodaowai, which has a mix of crumbling buildings and also a few restored streets with shops and restaurants. Renovations have taken place along several nearby blocks and the crumbling buildings have become shops and restaurants. It is yet to be seen whether this is really good for the neighbourhood.

















































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/harbin.htm

[hkskyline]

The New Jewish Synagogue was built in 1921 to acomodate over 800 worshippers. The Jewish community was once quite large in the city, numbering up to 25,000, and the synagogue is now a museum showcasing their history. At 25 yuan only, it is a bargain and the historic photos are quite fascinating.











The Flood Control Monument was built in 1958 and is now part of Stalin Park which stretches along the riverfront. With the river frozen behind it, there are all sorts of activities available, including ice bicycles and slides.









More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/harbin.htm