When Valerie, her brother and their mother arrived in Harbin, it was a deep winter. Minus 40 degrees - nothing to wonder about in the city. Back then, passing the vast land by train, it was the only possible route they could take.
When I followed their trace in february 2017, some mild minus 16 degrees were welcoming me. Cold enough to get a feel on how it must have been. What more information could there be found?
The complete trip:
Nias / Ubud / Tokyo / Kyoto / Kobe / Osaka / Busan / Harbin / Harbin Ice Festival / Russia
Saint Sophia cathedral is one of the architectural highlights. And somehow indeed it kind of seems to be charmingly out of place.
The last centuries having been very chaotic, with many immigrational waves, which made it one of the most multiculturally influenced cities of asia.
A free parking space in Harbin center ;)
Some say, Harbin is the Paris of the east.
Maybe.
Saint Sophia cathedral appears to be tiny compared to the huge shopping malls and hotel complexes that have been built around the square it is located on.
Inside you can find an exhibition with images showing Harbins uprising. A hundred years ago, before the railway was built, it had not more than some thousand inhabitants.
Today, Harbin has a population of more than 4,5 million.
They all learned to deal with the cold.
Consumerism is on the rise in Harbin.
Remnants of the past: Two young russian ladies being photographed in Harbin in the 1930s. (copyright of original pic unknown)
I had some delicious squid at a night market built of ice.
Gosh, I need more of that roasted squid!
Thanks for watching! also check for my images from Harbin Ice Festival.