Central Street

» Harbin, Hei Long Jiang

Central Street Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Known as the 'Eastern Moscow', Harbin has always been regarded as a unique and exotic city. The most exotic place in Harbin is Central Street. As a new comer to Harbin without any idea of where to go, be sure to start your journey at 'Central Street'. This long corridor of European architectural art is the pride of every Harbin. It provides an enthralling destination which abounds with history, attracting tourists from home and abroad.

Another name in past years

The construction of the Central Street began in 1898. It was called the Chinese Street at its early age and gained its present name in the late 1920's.

What used to be

Originally, the street was opened up by carts used to transport railway supplies. In May, 1924, the Central Street was floored with square stones according to a Russian engineer's design. Since then it has become a rendezvous of numerous foreign shops, hotels, and bars. Russian leather, British woolen cloth, French perfume, German medicine and plenty more can be found in this fashionable street.

The "starting point" and "ending point"

It starts at the Songhua River Flood Monument in the north and ends at Jinwei Street in the south.

How it be "pedestrian street"

In 1997, Harbin government appointed the street as a pedestrian street, which added greater charm to this enchanting location.

How Many "Buildings" Here

There are 71 European-style and simulated European-style buildings on the street in total. 13 city-level protected buildings assemble here.

An "Architectural Art Gallery" in China.

The styles of buildings on this street vary widely from renaissance style to baroque style to modern style. Such as, renaissance style, baroque style, eclectic style, modern style. It's a rare "Architectural Art Gallery" in China.

Getting Around

The pedestrian street

The pedestrian street is in beautiful surroundings. The whole street is in good order. It has become a bright spot of Harbin because of its unique European-style feature, long lines of edifices, masses of entertainment areas, and colorful cultural life.

As one of the longest pedestrian streets in Asia, whenever visitors come there, it will open up to them its charming vistas with its profound culture. It has been a comprehensive recreational place combining tourist pleasure with shopping excitement, and annually attracts thousands of visitors.

Jiaoyu Bookstore

The present Jiaoyu Bookstore (Education Bookstore) is the biggest form of Baroque architecture in Harbin and also the mark of the Central Street. The Mod-Er Hotel (formerly the Modern Hotel) and the Daoliqiulin Shop, built in 1906 and 1919 respectively, are fine examples of Art Nouveau architecture. The Fuer Shop (Women and Children's Shop) in 1917 was the former Xiehe Bank.

This building reflects classic Renaissance architecture. There are many other exotic and appealing constructions there. All of them are well preserved and continuously play an important role in people's daily life.

The Central Street

The Central Street is a junction where both Harbin's modern and historical civilizations can be seen. It interprets the city perfectly and has witnessed the most brilliant European cultural development for 300 years.

When to visit

**Recommended time for a visit": One hour

Attractions around » Harbin, Hei Long Jiang

Natural Scene

• Wudalianchi Scenic Area

Historical Site

• Santa Sophia Church
• Jile Temple

Cultural Site

• Siberia Tiger Park
• Sun Island Park
• Zhaolin Park
• Children's Park

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Yabuli Ski Resort

Shopping & Leisure

• Central Street

Central Street Highlights

Shopping Street in Great China

• Wangfujing Walking Street
• Tunxi Ancient Street
• Nanjing Road
• Shopping Heaven on Xujiahui Street
• Barkhor Street
• Foreign Tourist Street
• West Street
• Liulichang Culture Street
• Central Street
• Hefang Street
• Grand Bazaar
• Panjiayuan Collection Market
• Quanyechang Bazaar
• Dongtai Road Antique Market
• Shopping on Fuzhou Road
• Kaili Sunday Market
• Wai Chai
• Moslem Street
• Shiban Street
• Kundu Bar Street
• Lhasa Carpet Factory
• Shuyuanmen Street
• Fishermans Wharf
• Ancient Culture Street
• Pudong New Area
• Yandang Road Bar Street
• Kashgar Bazaar
• Jinli Street
• Tian Xia Shua Du
• Xi'an Antique Market
• Stanley Market
• Binhai Road
• Chunxi Road
• Senado Square
• Nanshi Food Street
• Xintiandi Area
• Wenbaozhai Tourist Shopping Center
• Red Market

Walking Street in Great China

• Wangfujing Walking Street
• Square Street
• Lake Houhai
• Lan Kwai Fong
• West Street
• Central Street
• Ladies Street
• Causeway Bay
• Xinghai Square
• Youhao Square
• Stanley
• Tsim Sha Tsu
• Central
• Stanley Market
• Guanqian Street
• Chunxi Road
• Senado Square

Central Street FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. What is the best time to visit Harbin?

  Transportation

1. Is it fast from airport to downtown?

  Food

1. What is the local specialty?

  Shopping

1. How to bargain when shopping?
2. Something you should notice in Harbin's traffic?

  Travel

1. What should I notice while traveling in Harbin?
2. May I speak English when traveling in Harbin?

  Customs

1. What are some special festivals in Harbin?

  Other Hints

1. Here are some useful numbers
2. Is Harbin time as same as Beijing time?

• What is the best time to visit Harbin?

  The four seasons are distinct in Harbin. The winter is long and cold. The summer is short and hot. The spring and autumn belongs to the transitional seasons, they only last for a short time. The temperature changes quickly in these two seasons. Although the summer is short, it's relatively cool. Harbin is a good summer resort.

  From December to next January when the weather is frozenly cold is the best time to enjoy the area's ice and snow and the relative activities.

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• Is it fast from airport to downtown?

  Transportation is quite convenient. It takes 40 minutes from the airport to downtown.

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• What is the local specialty?

  The restaurant has been chosen one of the top 50 restaurants is HeiLongJiang Province. Here you can taste real north-east China food. Deer meat hot pot, typical northeast China Jiaozi, sliced pork, sour cabbage and rice noodles... all so yummy.

  The most famous taste offer you sauce pork bones. Using a straw to suck the juice inside the bone. Yammy! Originally people tought it might be fleshy, but it really is a nice dish.

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• How to bargain when shopping?

  The shop set the price rather high than the price they bought the product. They can tell your accent from the local and the tourists. Make 80% off price-cut. If the owner is unhappy add up RMB 5 to RMB 10 each time you bid. If the owner is not so un happy, you may cut more price. Do not show how much you adore the product. Compare more place. Buying gifts on the road instead of in the shop.

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• Something you should notice in Harbin's traffic?

  In winter, traffic is a big issue in Harbin. There are some look-to-be-fancy services around. Like riding a horse to cross the frozen river, a hitchhikerto to some unfrequented area, ect. Watch out when you are about to do this. The horse guy are trend to charge you more if you are foreign visitors, well, it is true all over China. As per hitchhiker, they might be dangerous since it is not that safe in a unfrequented area in damn cold winter. Do use more public transportation (taxi) or contact local travel agency for traffic service. The hotel you stay will also be helpful finding you a driver if you are not confined inside the city.

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• What should I notice while traveling in Harbin?

  Winter in Harbin used to be bitter cold! As you visit the city on late January, temperatures there were about -18F (or -30C) with a sensation of about -40F (-40C) sometimes... during the evening and night. You need plenty of pullovers, gloves, socks, a good winter boot and a good jacket to "survive".

  Take also some medicine in the case of a unexpected cold. Of course, photo equipment resistant enough to work in such low temperatures... Some friends during the trip had problems with their cameras because they have simply frozen! Keep spare batteries, cell phones and cameras warm in case that it's too cold that they won't work.

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• May I speak English when traveling in Harbin?

  Yes. In Harbin, both Putonghua and English are the languages of bussiness. So, if you travel to China for business purpose, you can usually communicate with the chinese merchants in simple English. However, Putonghua is an official language of China. Most of the Chinese merely speak Putonghua with the outsiders. So, if you want to visit China but cannot speak Putonghua, you will find inconvenient. Therefore, it is essential and useful for you to learn some simple Putonghua when you decide to visit China.

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• What are some special festivals in Harbin?

  Ice Lantern Festival in Zhaolin Park (held from early January to late February) Harbin Music Festival, a 12-day event that takes place in July.

  Lantern Festival: It marks the end of the Chinese New Year Season. Lantern exhibits, lion and dragon dances, and eating Tang Yuan (ball-shaped boiled sweet rice dumplings with delicious stuffings) are events today. It is very much celebrated in the rural areas by farmers.

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• Here are some useful numbers

  • Ambulance: 120
  • Emergencies: 110
  • Fire: 119
  • Tel No. Enquiry: 114
  • Police: 110



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• Is Harbin time as same as Beijing time ?

  Yes. Harbin time is as same as Beijing time. In October, the sun gets up at 7:00 in the morning and at 17:30 it is dark. Most Malls are open untill 21:00. Diner starts at 17.00 but some restaurants stay open untill late in the evening.

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