Harbin, big metropolis of northeast of China, region which was once called Manchuria, has been a period under Russian influence. What was also surprised by discovering in the historic centre, Russian products stores and a typical Orthodox Church !
This town is relatively pleasant for a Chinese settlement of this size. Ignoring the - 20 ° C in the Sun, It is nice to stroll through the pedestrian street (Zhongyang Dajie) and at the edge of the Songhua (in Stalin Park !) where games are arranged on the frozen river : Snow sleds, ice rink, Battle of small tanks (the Gentiles are the Chinese and the Japanese villains !).
The first day is devoted to a less joyous visit : the ” Centre 731 “, where during the occupation of Manchuria by the Japanese between 1931 and 1945, were carried out experiments of bacteriological weapons on human guinea pigs, as well as other atrocities that have no equivalent in the Nazi concentration camps.
Second day : here, no need to call Moses to walk on water. The river is so caught up in the ice that can cross it in horse-drawn carriage or even by car ! I decide to walk, and after having posed with a group of Chinese tourists, I get to the snow sculpture exhibition. What can we say ? It's awesome ! And beautiful not only day, but also just before the dark night, When everything is illuminated and appears in a new light.
Leaving by taxi, I pass the ice sculpture park… Thin, There are actually two sites ! But this will be made the next day, with the Siberian Tigers Park (Park that can be visited by bus, animals in semi-liberty), before taking the train late at night.
