On December 21st, I briefly visited Volga Manor. Tickets were available at the venue; children and seniors over 60 received discounts, making the prices quite reasonable. Overall, it felt like a mini-trip through Russia.
Construction of the manor began in 2007, reconstructing over 30 Russian-style buildings based on Harbin's history, creating a unique Russian architectural complex. The core building, St. Nicholas Cathedral, replicates the 1900 Gothic octagonal design, using pure wood mortise and tenon joints without a single nail, symbolizing the culture of the Ice City. Lost Russian-style buildings such as Pavlov Castle have also been reborn here. The manor integrates ecology and culture using a "wetland+" model, with permeable gravel roads and low-carbon electric vehicles creating a harmonious coexistence between nature and architecture.
The St. Nicholas Cathedral, now an art museum, displays icons and paintings; the Petrov Art Palace replicates the Novodevichy Convent and exhibits frescoes and paintings from the Repin Academy of Fine Arts; the Three Bears Park recreates a century-old Russian farm life, where visitors can experience matryoshka doll painting and bread making; and at the Vodka Castle, you can enjoy a glass of vodka served in an ice-cold glass.
I entered the park at 2 PM and, with a childlike spirit, rode a snow tube, stopping frequently along the way. Some snow sculptures were still under construction, so I didn't have time to examine them closely. If you have enough time, you can enter the park at 10 AM and bring children; riding in horse-drawn carriages and other activities is quite fun. However, around 4 PM, the sky was already dark, and the sub-zero wind was biting; without thick hats and gloves, it would be difficult to stay long, so remember to wear warm gear. Due to other commitments, I quickly finished my visit and returned home, ending my day with a delicious spicy grilled fish and sesame sauce noodles in the city.