Harbin Century Architecture and Modern History in Depth
Use Central Street as a base to explore Harbin's churches, Chinese Eastern Railway heritage, Unit 731 and the provincial museum, plus a day trip to Changchun.
Aimed at visitors interested in the city's history and architecture. In Daoli, see the Russian and Jewish buildings. In Nangang, visit Jihong Bridge, the Church of the Holy Virgin Protection, Qiulin and Gogol Street. In Pingfang, the Harbin Museum of Unit 731 Crimes is the highlight. A high-speed train day trip to Changchun covers the Puppet Manchukuo Imperial Palace and the Eight Ministries buildings. The trip ends in Old Daowai and Jile Temple. It does not include ice and snow activities. It can be visited year-round, and summer and autumn are the most comfortable.
The Unit 731 museum is closed on Mondays and requires online booking. Plan around Mondays.
Day by day
Day 1 · Russian-Style Daoli Streets and the Riverbank
Harbin(Saint Sophia Cathedral、Harbin New Synagogue、Central Street (Zhongyang Dajie)、Songhua River & Flood Control Monument、Chinese Eastern Railway Park & Binzhou Railway Bridge)
After arriving, check in around Central Street. Explore on foot all day, walking from the churches to the riverbank and Binzhou Railway Bridge.
Stay: Central Street · Daoli
Day 2 · Pingfang Unit 731 and Northeast Modern History
Harbin(Unit 731 Museum、Northeast China Revolutionary Martyrs' Memorial Hall、Heilongjiang Provincial Museum)
In the morning, take a taxi, or metro plus bus, to Pingfang, about 50 minutes. In the afternoon, return to Nangang to visit the Northeast Martyrs Memorial Museum and the Heilongjiang Provincial Museum. The two museums are next to each other.
The Unit 731 museum is closed on Mondays and requires advance real-name booking.
Stay: Central Street · Daoli
Day 3 · High-Speed Train Day Trip to Changchun's Manchukuo Sites
Changchun(Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo、Xinmin Avenue & Eight Ministries of Manchukuo、Changchun Film Studio Museum)
Take a high-speed train from Harbin West Railway Station to Changchun, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Use the metro and taxis to link the sights. Return to Harbin in the evening.
Some areas of the Puppet Manchukuo Imperial Palace are closed on Mondays. Buy your return train ticket in advance.
Stay: Central Street · Daoli
Day 4 · Nangang Churches and Gogol Street
Harbin(Jihong Bridge、Church of the Intercession、Churin Department Store、Gogol Street、St. Alexeevsky Church)
Take Metro Line 1 to the Harbin Railway Station area. Walk to Jihong Bridge and the churches, then walk or take a short taxi along East Dazhi Street and Gogol Street.
Stay: Central Street · Daoli
Day 5 · Confucius Temple, Jile Temple and Old Daowai
Harbin(Harbin Confucian Temple、Jile Temple、Laodaowai Chinese Baroque Historic Block)
Take a taxi to the Confucius Temple and Jile Temple on the east end of East Dazhi Street, about 1 km apart. Then walk around Old Daowai. In the afternoon, take a taxi to the airport, about 1 hour.
The Confucius Temple is closed on Mondays. Try a century-old restaurant in Old Daowai for lunch.
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