Parks and the outdoors in Harbin

Parks and the outdoors in Harbin

1. See

   Dragon TV Tower

   龙塔 Lóngtǎ

   Tallest steel structure in northeastern Asia. Only built for the Chinese need of having something as the biggest and the best. Somewhere along the way they forgot to add any pleasant looking qualities to it. There is a revolving restaurant on top and views of the city. You can walk outside at the top and even strap on a harness for a thrill.

2. See

   Flood Control Monument

   防洪胜利纪念塔 Fánghóng Shènglì Jìniàn Tǎ

   Built in 1958 to commemorate the successful defense against the 1957 Songhua River flood. The 22.5-meter-tall tower features a circular platform with relief sculptures. It marks the northern end of Central Avenue and is a popular spot for riverside views.

   24 hours·Free

3. See

   Gondola ride over Songhua River

   A nice way to work your way back from Sun Island in a gondola car that takes you over the banks of the Songhua.

   ¥35-50

4. See

   Riverbank Park

   江畔公园 Jiāngpàngōngyuán

   Long tree covered walkway that stretches the city-side banks of the Songhua river, a really nice and pleasant walk.

   00：00-24：00

5. See

   Siberian Tiger Park

   东北虎林园 Dōngběi Hǔ Línyuán

   This is without a doubt Harbin's "must see". Not for the faint hearted or obsessive animal lovers. There are literally hundreds of tigers in several huge pens. If you want to go by bus instead of taking a taxi, take the 88 line (facing the train station, walk into the small street on your left for 300 m before seeing the bus stop) to Shangye Daxue 商业大学. It should take about 30 minutes, and it is the third stop after the long stretch of highway crossing the river. Then, take the 54 bus towards the same direction, and you will see the entrance to the Tiger Park on your right after 5 minutes or so.

   Closed · opens 8:30 am·For just ¥100 (¥90 to get in and another ¥10 for the bus) you can ride in an open bus with metal caging around it. The ride is about an hour long and while on the bus you can purchase strips of meat (¥10) to hand feed the tigers. Live chickens (¥50), pheasants (¥100), ducks (¥100), goats (¥600) and even cows (somewhere around US$200)

6. See

   Songhua River Bridge

   Built in 1900, this bridge was the first bridge across the Songhua river in Harbin and has served the railway system for more than 100 years. In 2016, with the opening of a new bridge nearby, it was converted into a pedestrian bridge for visitors.

   free

7. See

   Songhua River Railway Bridge

   松花江铁路桥

   Built in 1900, this was the first bridge across the Songhua River in Harbin and served the railway system for over 100 years. In 2016, with the opening of a new bridge nearby, it was converted into a pedestrian bridge. It offers excellent views of the river and the city skyline.

   24 hours·Free

8. See

   Sun Island

   太阳岛 Tàiyángdǎo

   Park offering a pleasant to stroll during the warmer months and on the weekends newly married couples can be seen taking pictures. In the winter it becomes part of the snow sculpture festivities. However, as with everything in Harbin, the park is still very Chinese with a cage full of squirrels, a petting deer area (just have to buy them some food), go carts, a pond that is just full of turtles, and newly weds sporting bright colored dresses.

   Closed · opens 8 am·Free

9. Do

   Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Fair

   太阳岛国际雪雕艺术博览会; Tàiyángdǎo guójì xuědiāoyìshù bólǎnhuì

   Beautifully carved snow sculptures, massive dimensions. However, if you plan to visit the Ice and Snow World then this is not a must see. Pretty expensive for what you get to see and all other activities in the park are extra.

   Closed · opens 8 am·¥240 (students ¥120)

10. Eat

    Tiantian Fish Village

    天天鱼村

    Upscale Chinese seafood dining. You can mingle with Harbin's moneyed and enjoy exotic fish. When you walk in you can pick which fish you want from the giant tanks.

11. See

    Zhaolin Park

    兆麟公园 Zhàolíngōngyuán

    During the winter this park houses ice sculptures for the festivals, but during the off season, it is a pleasant stroll as well.

12. See

    Zhongyang Dajie

    中央大街 Zhōngyāng Dàjiē; lit. Central Avenue

    This cobblestone lined street is a pedestrian only street that could serve as a perfect remnant of the bustling international business activities at the turn of the 20th century. The 1.4-km long street is a veritable museum of European architectural styles, including Baroque and Byzantine façades, Jewish architectural wonders, a Russian restaurant, French fashion houses (Fake Chinese Brands), American snack food outlets (Mcdonalds and KFC and a Chinese owned "American Bar"), and a Japanese restaurant. In winter, one can walk out onto the ice or take a dog sledge or horse sledge ride. It is the prettiest site in Harbin as far as the city itself is concerned, however, if you go mid-day during the weekend be prepared to push through the crowds.

    Pretty much closes by 22:00 (weekend nights included)·Free

13. Do Not mapped

    Ice Festival, Zhaolin Park

    冰雪游园会, 兆麟公园 Bīngxuě yóuyuánhuì, Zhàolíngōngyuán

    Rather small exhibits compared to the other two main festivals. Best viewed after dusk.

    Closed · opens 1:30 pm·¥200 (Students: ¥80, admission is cheaper before 13:30)

14. See Not mapped

    Laodaowai

    老道外

    Laodaowai used to be the poorest part in Harbin. A century ago there were only two districts in Harbin, east (Daoli, "Dao" means Avenue, and "Li" means inside.) and west (Daowai, "wai" means outside). The rich expats lived in the east part, and the poor locals lived in the west part. In the early 1920s, some Chinese businessmen started their business in the area. The constructions they built around that period were combined with Chinese elements, such as crane and peony designs, and baroque styles, and form a unique "Chinese Baroque" architectural style. In 2014, the government renewed the area and now it is a tourist site. Nowadays, Laodaowai ("lao" means old.) is an area for one to experience "local's" lives (that means the unique architectural style, and food, food, food, food, and food). The area is vaguely defined within Shengping St 升平街 (north), Jingyang St 景阳街 (west), Nanxun St 南勋街 (south), and Nanershi St 南二十街道 (east). If you are confused for where to start with, at Jingyang St, in between Nanxun St and Jingyu St 靖宇街, there is a later-made entrance for the LaoDaoWai area. Start from there and walk to the east, and you will see all the small streets cross one another. There are many doors (locals call them "MenDong" 门洞), which from the first sight might look like private property, in between small stores. Walk through the doors and you will reach the garden inside and the next street. There are countless snack bars and restaurants in the area, and they are a main attraction. Keep in mind the snack bars are by Chinese definition, and many are small with few tables. They are the taste of Harbin and very popular. But in case you expect western styles (air condition, waitors speak/menu in your native languages, etc.), do not bother to go. Also if you are one of those count calories for every bite, do not go either, since watching others eating while you cannot eat is unhealthy. Some of the popular nosheries are (from west to east): Zhang's Stuffed Bun 张包铺 at the

15. See Not mapped

    Old Quarter

    A section of the city just west of Zhongyang Dajie is still dominated by Russian buildings built around the turn of the century. Not well maintained but an interesting walk and you can maybe find Russian antiques in some of the thrift stores.

16. See Not mapped

    Russian Buildings

    Harbin's old quarter, which covers a wide area of the city near the Songhua River, is still today mostly made up of buildings that were constructed by the Russians at the turn of the 19th century. Most of them are built in baroque or byzantine style with spires and cupolas and interesting shades of yellow, white, green, or red. While St. Sophia is known as the main architectural attraction to the city, areas of the city such as Harbin's old quarter are made up of buildings that have been left untouched since the Russians left. While most of these streets are fairly decrepit and in need of repair, at least the area has been free from the wrecking ball like many other historical districts in China. Only because Harbin has yet to attract the world's investment.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Harbin (CC BY-SA 4.0).