Christmas in Harbin 
Jewish families started to move to Harbin upon the completion of the China Eastern Railway in 1903 and the immigration reached its peak during the outbreak of the First World War and Russian revolution in 1917.
According to the museum, Even though they only made up 5 percent of the city total at the time, they were engaging themselves in 50 percent of business and commercial operations in town. They were the first to set up all major commercial initiatives. Including the first modern hotel, the first cinema, the first tailor shop and the first racing game.
In 1919, Harbin symphony orchestra was established and was mostly composed of excellent Jewish musicians. Many of them later served as teachers in Harbin鈥檚 first music school set up in 1921, also by Jewish people.
To great extend, the Jewish people shaped the development of classical music in Harbin and the influence is still traceable鈥 Apparently nearly 40,000 Harbin families now have pianos at home.
An ordinary dark and cold winter night usually calls for an early bed time in most parts of the world, where the nightlife is ideally wrapped up by a fine dine in town, Here in Harbin, it is about the time for a night drive out to the Songhua River.
When the night falls, the real world and fantasy world merges.
Harbin owns the credit of being the first city in china creating a its own Disneyland on ice. Ice and Snow wonderland built on Frozen Songhua River makes up the most recognizable landmark of the city in winter. Why so many other neighboring cities sharing the similar natural condition and resource didn鈥檛 came up with the idea? It must have something to do with Harbin locals good business and atheistic sense inherited from the past.
Harbin international Ice and Snow Festival is held annually from January 5 to February 5. But the ice and snow wonderland already open from Christmas Eve. Wrap up well, because temperatures can fall to as low as -40c, and you should expect nothing warmer than -20c.
Who said free slide doesn鈥檛 lead to a good end?
It is much warmer here, at least in Eskimo and Lapp standard. Slam minus 30c cold outside, indulge yourself in the warmth of minus 15c鈥
Over a steaming old drink, lets toast for a real Christmas. After all what is Christmas without ice, snow and joy?
Editor:Chen Zhuo Source:CCTV.com
