Heilongjiang is China's northernmost and easternmost province, a vast land of black soil plains, primeval forests, volcanic lakes, and Siberian-cold winters along the Amur (Heilong) River border with Russia. Its capital Harbin blends Russian-era architecture with the world's largest ice and snow festival, while Mohe, the Arctic Village, offers China's best chances of seeing the aurora and the midnight sun. Wetlands, ski resorts, crane habitats, and Hezhen and Manchu heritage complete a region that swings from -30C winters to warm, short summers.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Qiulin Red Sausage (Hongchang)
Smoked Russian-style sausage sold by Harbin's Qiulin brand since 1900, a classic gift
Price: CNY 40-120 (~$6-18) per pack
Where: Qiulin stores on Central Street and Dongdazhi Street, Harbin
Russian Chocolates and Sweets
Imported Russian chocolates, candy and biscuits sold in the Russian goods shops of central Harbin
Price: CNY 30-150 (~$4-22)
Where: Russian Goods Store near Saint Sophia Cathedral, Central Street shops
Lieba Bread (Russian-style bread)
Large dense loaf baked in Harbin bakeries, a heritage food; keeps for several days
Price: CNY 20-50 (~$3-7)
Where: Qiulin, Harbin bakeries and department store food halls
Harbin Beer Gift Packs
Harbin Beer is China's oldest brewery beer (founded 1900); souvenir packs and tins are sold in the city
Price: CNY 30-120 (~$4-18)
Where: Supermarkets, Harbin Beer Museum shop
Birch Bark Crafts
Boxes, pictures and cups made from birch bark by northern minority artisans
Price: CNY 30-300 (~$4-45)
Where: Central Street gift shops, Chinese Baroque district stalls
Amber Jewellery
Amber beads and pendants sold in Harbin gift markets; check for a certificate of authenticity
Price: CNY 100-1,500 (~$15-224)
Where: Hongbo Plaza, Central Street jewellery shops
Ice Lantern and Snow Souvenirs
Miniature ice-and-snow festival art, snow globes and magnets
Price: CNY 20-150 (~$3-22)
Where: Ice and Snow World gift stands, Central Street kiosks
Northeast Cold-Weather Wear
Down coats, wool hats and insulated boots, the real winter gear of Dongbei; buy locally if underdressed
Price: CNY 300-1,500 (~$45-224)
Where: Hongbo Plaza, Harbin No.1 Department Store, Grand Shopping Center
Heilongjiang Wild Berry and Ginseng Products
Jam, wild blueberry and mushroom products from the Greater and Lesser Khingan forests
Price: CNY 30-200 (~$4-30)
Where: Supermarkets, Qiulin food hall
Northeast Rice (Wuchang rice)
Aromatic short-grain rice from Wuchang near Harbin, sold vacuum packed
Price: CNY 40-150 (~$6-22) per 2.5 kg
Where: Harbin supermarkets and department-store food halls
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Central Street (Zhongyang Dajie)
Harbin's 1.45 km pedestrian street laid with granite blocks, lined with Baroque and Russian-style buildings, shops, cafes and street food, from Jingwei Street to the Songhua River.
Where: Daoli District, Harbin
Hours: Street open 24 hours; shops about 10AM-9PM
Qiulin Company (Central Street branch)
Harbin's historic Qiulin brand, famous for Russian-style red sausage, bread, chocolates and imported goods; a branch stands on Central Street and the flagship is at 319 Dongdazhi Street.
Where: Daoli District, Harbin
Hours: Daily about 9AM-9PM
Russian Goods Store near Saint Sophia Cathedral
Souvenir and grocery shop near Saint Sophia Cathedral selling imported Russian chocolates, matryoshka dolls, amber and vodka.
Where: Daoli District, Harbin
Hours: Daily about 9AM-6PM
Hongbo Plaza (Hongbo Square)
Large shopping centre at the junction of Hongjun Street and Dazhi Street near Harbin Railway Station, with clothes, bags, silks, tea and an underground commercial street.
Where: Nangang District, Harbin
Hours: Daily about 9:30AM-9PM
Harbin No.1 Department Store
Long-running Harbin department store at 118 Shitou Dao Street, near Central Street, with fashion, footwear and cold-weather clothing.
Where: Daoli District, Harbin
Hours: Daily about 9:30AM-9PM
Songlei Shopping Mall (Central Street area)
Department-store style commercial centre in the Central Street district with fashion, cosmetics and a food court.
Where: Daoli District, Harbin
Hours: Daily about 9:30AM-9PM
Grand Shopping Center (Nangang)
Department store at 373 Guohe Li Avenue in Nangang, with clothing, electronics and household goods.
Where: Nangang District, Harbin
Hours: Daily about 9:30AM-9PM
Chinese Baroque Historic District (Daowai)
Restored historic quarter in Daowai combining Chinese and European styles, with craft stalls, birch-bark goods and traditional snacks.
Where: Daowai District, Harbin
Hours: Street open 24 hours; shops about 9AM-6PM