Heilongjiang (Black Dragon River) Province borders Russia's Siberia, and is China's northernmost province. In winter, a blanket of snow covers the entire province, and its rivers and lakes freeze over, transforming the area into a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.

Its capital Harbin was built on the middle reaches of the Songhua River. Nazhen settlers originally founded the city in 1097, and by the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368AD) the area was given its current name, which literally means 'a place to dry fishing nets'. From the end of 19th century to the early 1900s, large numbers of Russian refugees moved to Harbin to build the Chinese Eastern Railway. Many settled down in Harbin, and the city is today dotted with Russian-style architectures.

Harbin has plenty of places of interest, including the Daoliqu area. All its architectures show a strong Russian influence, complete with spires, cupolas and scalloped turrets. A good example is the Church of St Sophia, built by the Russians in 1907. It now opens to the public as the Harbin Architecture Arts Center, with black-and-white photographs of Harbin from the early 1900s.

The Sun Island Park , a group of islands in the Songhua River, is the biggest recreational center in Harbin. The park covers a total area of 3,800 hectares, and features the Siberian Tiger Sanctuary at the northern tip. The sanctuary is well worth a visit ¨C tourists can observe the rare creatures in their natural habitat, and may even see them capturing and feeding on live animals.

Perhaps Harbin's best-known seasonal attraction is its annual Ice Lantern Festival. The festival is held in the Zhaolin Park and along the Songhua River from January 5 to February 15 each year. Organizers and sculptures spend weeks before the festival carving the ice into the shape of animals, plants or images of famous people. There's even a miniature Great Wall of China and a scaled-down Forbidden City . The lanterns come on in the evening time, and the whole dazzling display of ice and light melts the visitors' hearts.

Harbin has plenty of local specialty products, including dog salmon, sturgeon, and Harbin sausage. It also produces the curative Monkey-head mushroom and other herbal medicines. Its tiger bone is said to relieve arthritis and rheumatic pains.
Name:Harbin Harbin
City:Harbin

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