Or both? Bring euros. They’re welcome and so are you.
Note: some of this content was featured in a previous: post, but much of it remains the same. Now back to now! While several Chinese cities exhibit European architectural or cultural influences, Harbin is often cited as the most visibly European city due to its strong Russian legacy and architecture. Other contenders include Qingdao, with its German colonial past, and Shanghai, which had a prominent French Concession. However, Harbin stands out for its distinctive Russian-style buildings and its historical role as a gateway for Sino-Russian trade.
Cuisine: Harbin’s food scene has a significant Russian influence. You can find bakeries selling a traditional Russian dark bread called dalieba, and the local sausages (hongchang) are a famous delicacy with a distinctly European flavor profile. Western-style restaurants, particularly Russian ones, are a common sight.
St. Sophia Cathedral: This magnificent Russian Orthodox church, with its towering onion domes and intricate green-and-red brickwork, is Harbin’s most iconic landmark. Built in a Neo-Byzantine style, it is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Far East and now serves as a museum showcasing Harbin’s unique history.
Known as the “Ice City,” Harbin’s European influence is primarily Russian, with numerous buildings reflecting Russian architectural styles. It was also a major gateway for Sino-Russian trade. Once you arrive, you might feel that you’ve time-traveled. Harbin, is often called the “Oriental Moscow” or “Oriental Paris” due to its distinctly European character. This unique identity is a result of its rich and complex history, where Russian and other European influences shaped the city’s architecture, culture, and lifestyle for over a century. This city could be your foot in the door to embrace China in a big way.
And if that isn’t enough to pique your curiosity, Harbin was one of the earliest cities in China to embrace European classical music. It is home to China’s first symphony orchestra, the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, and is a UNESCO-recognized “City of Music.” The city hosts international music festivals and competitions, reflecting its deep connection to Western classical music. The former European concessions in Tianjin resulted in a distinct European quarter with unique architecture and cultural elements. Talk about win-win!
Of course Expedia can get you to Asia and beyond. Flights, rooms, activities and more. To book, click here Thanks to Yan and Little Chinese Everywhere if you want to know more. Their You tube videos are top notch.