Davis in China: Harbin

My final trip in China before heading home to America was to Harbin. It is the capital of Heilongjiang, the northernmost and easternmost province in China. Harbin is the biggest city in northern China. Despite its harsh winters (average temperatures around -40), Harbin's main tourist season is during the cold months. The City's International Snow and Ice festival is world famous for its monolithic ice structures and sculptures.

RUSSIAN AND JEWISH HERITAGE

Harbin was founded as a depot on the Chinese Eastern Railway. The railway was financed by the Russian Empire as a shortcut on the Siberian Railway to Vladivostok and Port Arthur. Harbin's early history is closely tied to Russia and the railway. The city was majority Russian until the Japanese invasion during WWII. It also had the largest Jewish population in east Asia, reaching a height of 20,000.

The hostel I said in was originally Harbin's first Jewish Synagogue

Russian doll bushes

The Russian Orthodox St Sophia church

The largest Jewish Synagogue is now a museum of Jewish heritage

Left, original buildings of the old russian quarter. Right, modern imitations of the buildings in the old russian quarter

The old russian quarter is in disrepair

'Chinese Baroque Style' new construction

MODERN HARBIN

Given its background, Harbin is unique among Chinese cities. It still has close ties to Russia. Most signs in Harbin are in Chinese and Russian. Most foreigners in Harbin are Russian, however the local population is now entirely Chinese. Its hard to find souvenirs in Harbin unless you're looking for chinese imitation russian goods (they're everywhere).

Harbin is a city that loves winter. Locals still enjoy summer because of the beer festivals and ubiquitous ice cream stalls. The day I arrived in Harbin there was a parade along the main pedestrian street to celebrate Harbin summer and beer.

The best dumplings I've had in China. Period.

Many sidestreets along the main pedestrian mall are converted into open air beer halls

Locals swimming in the Sounghua River

A pleasant stroll in Stalin Park

Harbin Beer parade. Yes those are Russians driving those beer wagons

Who better to lead the beer parade than the characters of Disney movies?

Captain Jack Sparrow

Casks of Harbin Beer, China's other famous beer

Only in Harbin could there be a snowman in summer

SIBERIAN TIGER PARK

The Heilongjiang Northeast Tiger Forest Park in Harbin is the world's largest Siberian Tiger breeding base. There are about 300 Siberian Tigers in the wild, putting them among the rarest animals on earth. The Tiger park has about 700 Tigers in captivity.