Christmas in Harbin

cctv.com 01-19-2005 16:50

In 1896, Russia seized the power from Manchurian government to extend its Siberian railway from Vladivostok into Northeast China. Harbin, then only a cluster of some fishing villages on the bank of Sorghuan River, was chosen as the management.

When the railway was completed in 1903, the modern city was starting to take shape. Harbin became the virgin land of opportunity that attracted people seeking freedom and fortune from all over the world. Known for its economic importance, cultural tolerance and racial variety, Harbin evolved into a true international metropolis in modern sense.

It boasted many China's firsts: ski resort, first city bus, first ballet school and first cinema

Zhongyang da jie, the central boulevard is the perfect witness to the bustling city life at the time and even today.

The exotic European flavor esp. Russian still permeates many parts of modern city of Harbin,

Old Harbin was designed for 300,000 inhabitants today, the population today spurred to 8millions. It is one of the few Chinese cities started adapting the Paris model in City planning, building modern highrises in the outskirt as the new town leaving the old architectural remains mostly intact.