Harbin overview

Harbin is cold, the coldest province in China, with winter temperatures reaching -15 F (-26 C). Separated by the Black Dragon River, the region is the northern border of China and Siberia it is hardly teeming with tourist attractions as Harbin was an outpost built by Russians to construct the railway lines. Suffering from extreme weather and mountain ranges, Harbin is home to one of the few wildernesses untouched in China, the region also boasting large coal and oil fields and dwindling nomadic groups. Remnants of past glories can be seen wandering the old town, a laissez-faire assortment of wild-west communities that used Russian architecture to house engineers and prostitutes – both of whom seem to be making a return. Known as The Ice City, Harbin is famed for its Ice and Snow Festival, which every winter draws hordes to witness quite magnificent snow and ice carvings, making good use of the city’s most unwelcome asset.