Harbin - Russian China

We got here yesterday, and had a wonderful time strolling around, looking at beautiful Russian architecture and going on big wheels and the like.

The place was nothing more than a couple of tents before the Russians brought themselves over in 1898. In a few years they added train depots, Eastern Orthodox churches and the like. Probably some vodka bars too. Then the Japanese took it off them in the 1930's. Then something else happened, and the Chinese got it back eventually after the War part II. Bit of a shame really, since the old buildings are so beautiful, and a bit neglected now. The museum was funny, since it mentioned the "Liberation of the City" in 1946. Perhaps "Inheritance of a brand new City" would have been a more accurate phrase.

Today we have nothing but clear blue skies, fluffy clouds and a nice breeze. We went to a big Buddhist complex called "The Temple of Bliss", which was probably the calmest and most beautiful one that we have ever visited. Believe us when we can say that we have visited some temples here...

Harbin also boasts the "Most Drunk Chinese in China award" and wherever you go you cannot avoid seeing beer adverts. Last night we (well Lee) was lucky enough to see belly dancers on the street. They were promoting beer. Lee found his first dark beer in China. He describes it as: "The first mouthful tastes like the home-brew that I made when I was 15, but after a while it could pass for a bad Guinness with sugar added". But, so far, no "larger louts" have been seen on the streets.

So in conclusion - it is at the end of the Chinese world (above and not so far west of Vladivostok) but when the weather is good, a great place for a couple of days. The photos (that will be on Flickr) should show that Chinese - Russian fusion makes it a unique city.