Feel The Culture and History of Harbin with These 6 Places

Laodaowai Chinese Baroque Historical and Cultural Protection Block, located in the central core area of Harbin Daowai District, is the block where the most distinctive features of old Harbin can be found. Whether in terms of the number of baroque buildings or its historical significance, its value exceeds that of Central Avenue. The only eligible circumstance in which Harbin could receive the UN Habitat Scroll of Honor is by boasting the Laodaowai Chinese Baroque Building Area. Additionally, Laodaowai's folk culture is displayed in the form of sculpture in every corner of the block. Those sculptures make you feel as if you were walking through a scene in an old movie, and such feelings still linger in your mind once you’ve left.

The Unit 731's murder site in Harbin's southern suburbs was the site where the Japanese fascists established the largest biological warfare force in the history of war during World War II. This site, together with the Auschwitz concentration camp of the German Nazis, are known as the two most cruel places in the world. Unit 731 used captured Chinese soldiers and a large number of innocent Chinese civilians as experimental subjects, carrying out various inhuman experiments including frostbite experiments, dissecting the living, toxic gas experiments, bacteria tests, and pressure experiments. In Unit 731's headquarter building, there are various instruments during their experiments on display, including restored experimental scenes, pictures and testimonial materials, as well as sites such as the bacteria laboratory, frostbite laboratory, and crematorium. Automatic speech interpreters are available for rent at RMB 15 per person. Please note that flashing lights are not allowed in the exhibition hall.

The Hagia Sophia Museum, a magnificent Russian-style "onion church", was once the largest Orthodox church in the Far East. At present, it is the most complete Byzantine architectural building preserved in China. As a landmark scenic spot in Harbin, it is also a popular wedding photography venue for the locals . There are many peace doves around the cathedral, which can be fed. Entering the church, you can find the walls around the church mottled, eroded by years of weathering, but you can imagine from the exquisite carvings, magnificent chandeliers and exquisite mixed marble patterns, how splendid and elegant the church used to be and how distinguished it once was. Now being the Harbin Architecture Art Museum, it displays precious photos showing the history of Harbin's development.

Xiao Hong's former residence was built in 1908 (the 34th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign). It is a traditional eight-flagged residence from the late Qing Dynasty and a typical northern residence with Manchu style, with blue bricks, blue tiles, and natural structure. The front of the residence opens up to the East and the courtyard boasts five main rooms. Xiao Hong was born in this house which was restored as Xiao Hong Memorial Hall. Xiao Hong is a famous Chinese female writer during the 1930s. Her body of work includes the Story of Hulan River, The Field of Life and Death, Ma Bole, March in a Small Town, and her essay collection The Commercial Street. Two rooms in the West are reserved as exhibition rooms. Displayed on the walls are pictures of Xiao Hong and photos of famous Chinese figures and those of other countries who visited Xiao Hong's former residence, together with calligraphies and paintings of writers who had fought with Xiao Hong, such as Xiao Jun, Duanmu Hongliang, Shu Qun, Seck, Luo Feng, and Bai Lang.

It’s above the underground passageway. Close to the Wanda Plaza and Parkson Shopping Center, there are also numerous supermarkets and cinemas. It is very convenient for tourists and locals alike to go shopping or just to have some fun. In 1957, Harbin City was threatened by a catastrophic flood. With the joint efforts of all the city's inhabitants, the flood was quelled. It’s in the honor of this that the tower was built in 1958 as a memorial site. The Flood Control Memorial Tower consists of a cylindrical tower body and an attached semi-circular corridor . It stands at 13 meters with a 7-meter high ancient-Roman-styled cloisters, showing off its spectacularly coordinated architecture. At the foot of the tower lie 11 semi-circular pools whose water levels remain at the highest water level mark recorded in 1957. Displayed on the walls around the tower body are scenes of the brave men and woman who fought the flood in 1957. At the top of the tower you can find a round sculpture with images depicting the workers, peasants, soldiers and intellectuals who heroically tamed the flood.

The Harbin Guandao is also called Binjiang Guandao Yamen, commonly known as Daotai Prefecture. It was Harbin's highest-level governmental office at that time and was the last traditional Yamen established by the Chinese feudal imperial court. At the beginning, its functions were only limited to railway negotiation and customs supervision without specified jurisdiction. The Daotai Prefecture buildings are well preserved with the layout resembling the same structure as in previous times. Harbin's delicious entree Sweet Fried Pork Chops originated from here, and it is further surrounded by various delicious delicacies from the area.