Taking the train north to Harbin was very pleasant as the scenery turned from the usual old, falling apart buildings to snowy white. After arriving in Harbin, the first thing I did was get super lost. I took the wrong bus and ended up a few kilometres further from my goal than I started out with, but luckily I managed to ask and get help from locals.

I spent the day exploring the central triangle in Harbin encompassing the main pedestrian street: Zhongyang Street. Here you can find many shopping centres – something very much needed as I couldn’t stay outside in -20ºC for too long in my ‘summer gear’.

North of Zhongyang Street you find a river which is completely frozen during winter. They build a little fun park with slides and activities. Prices are ridiculously high though, so I didn’t try out anything.

In the south of the triangle stands a beautiful russian orthodox church , St. Sophia’s Cathedral, which is now being used as a museum.

In the evening I ate at an overpriced russian restaurant.