Harbin

Location: Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province

Neighbouring Areas: Inner Mongolia and Jilin

Population: 4.754 700 million in the city center

Urban Population: 10 million

Area: 53,796 km² (20,770.8 sq miles)

Climatic Features: Harbin is infamous for its very cold winters - it is at the same latitude as Montreal, and winter temperatures as low as -38.1°C have been recorded. Bring more clothes than you will think you will need so that you can layer. Average daytime summer temperatures are in the mid 20s(°C) with a few weeks reaching low 30s, while the coldest part of winter averages a chilly -17°C.



Average Temperature: -17°C winter to mid 20s°C

Rivers: Yongjiang River

Products: Coal, Oil and Timber

Local Highlights: Heilongjiang Province, the most northwesterly part of China , when viewed on a map has the shape of a swan. Its capital city is Harbin , which is located south of Heilongjiang . Not only for its special position, but also as the center of Heilongjiang 's political, economic, educational and cultural life, Harbin is described as the pearl beneath the swan's neck. Lying on the east of the Songnen Plain, what is more, Harbin plays a vital role in communications between South and North Asia as well the regions of Europe and the Pacific Ocean.



Harbin owes its early growth to its siting at the junction of the main Chinese Eastern Railway, built by the Russians as an extension of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the branch running southwest towards Dalian. As a result, unlike most Chinese cities, the city is built around the rail line which runs through its centre. Many examples of Russian-style architecture survive throughout the city.

The Harbin local culture is based on Han culture, combined with Manchu culture, Russian culture and Jewish culture. This combination of cultures influences the local architecture style, food, customs and even language.

St. Sophia Church has a complex history. Shortly after the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901), the Russian built the church of timber in March, 1907. Then, the Russian rebuilt it using masonry and timber four years later. The onset of a second reconstruction by Russian was marked on September 23rd, 1923 , and a ceremony was held to celebrate laying the corner stone. It was completed on November 25th, 1932 , after nine years, and was hailed as a monumental work of art.


The Byzantine style church is so beautiful, it is said to look as if it had been made by God's hands. In fact, St. Sophia means 'God's wisdom'. Having a Latin cross footprint, the church's original shape was preserved during reconstruction. The church has four floors and is accessible by a door on each side. Until the 1960's, the bell tower over the entrance housed 7 bells of different sizes and tones. When there were religious festivals in the past, a well-trained ringer would play musical progressions, tolling the bells with ropes tied to his hands and feet. The bells resounded to the skies.

The annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival has been held since 1985. Although the official start date is January 5th each year, in practice, many of the sculptures can be seen before. While there are ice sculptures throughout the city, there are two main exhibition areas: Enormous snow sculptures at Sun Island (a recreational area on the opposite side of the Songhua River from the city) and the separate "Ice and Snow World" that operates each night. Ice and Snow World features illuminated full size buildings made from blocks of ice. Winter activities in the festival include Yabuli Alpine Skiing, winter-swimming in Songhua River, and the ice-lantern exhibition in Zhaolin Garden . Snow carving and ice and snow recreations are world famous.


Links:

China.org.cn Harbin Ice festival
St Sophia Church of Harbin
Harbin Government web site