Harbin, Heilongjiang

Harbin, Heilongjiang
Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang, China's northernmost province, is a city with a rich history. In the late 19th century, the city grew with the influx of Russian engineers constructing the eastern leg of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, leaving behind a legacy of Russian architecture that includes the green-domed Saint Sophia Cathedral, an Eastern Orthodox church that now serves as a local history museum.

In addition to its Russian heritage, Harbin also has a significant Jewish history. The Jewish people who settled in Harbin were granted better status than their counterparts in Russia. The first Jewish cemetery in China was opened in Harbin in 1903, which later had more than 2,000 tombs. The Jewish community in Harbin grew sharply with the influx of Jewish refugees during World War I, the Russian revolution of 1917, and Russian Civil War.

Today, Harbin continues to celebrate its unique cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and architecture.

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, also known as the "Ice City" is a yearly event that showcases incredible ice and snow sculptures. Starting in early December, tens of thousands of ice blocks are extracted from the river and transported to the festival venue. Here, talented artists use the ice to create life-sized sculptures of castles, pagodas, bridges, and even a functioning hotpot restaurant. The ice harvested from the river is essential to the festival's success. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is truly a frozen spectacular that is not to be missed.