It’s difficult to imagine a Russian Orthodox church being the centerpiece of a Chinese city, but in Harbin, it is.  A century ago the Russians built a railroad between Vladivostok and Harbin, and the Russian influence and presence in the city remained strong afterward.  The architectural influence of Russia can be seen throughout the Daoliqu area of Harbin.  Many Russian Orthodox churches were built, including the Church of Saint Sophia here in 1907, but most were badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution.  Saint Sophia has since been restored.

A short walk from the church is Zhongyang Dajie, the main street that runs through the Daoliqu area.  The rest of these pictures were taken along that street.  Much of the old Russian architecture remains, complete with the cupolas and ornate trimmings seen here.

Walking along Zhongyang Dajie is like walking through old Russia - and not only because of the buildings.  Most of the caucasians walking around Harbin are not westerners, but Russians; both business and tourism with Russia have grown greatly in Harbin since both economies opened up.

The Gloria Inn has an interesting story behind it.  This Russian structure use to be just a few stories tall; when it was expanded, the cupolas on each corner were removed, the additional floors added, and the cupolas put back on top, as seen here.  Quite unusual in a country where “tearing down the old to bring in the new” is the philosophy behind most city planning.

Ice in Harbin isn’t just used at the festival; it’s also used as an opportunity to advertise.  The street is lined with these ice columns, perfectly sized to hold advertising banners.  The columns light up at night to become glowing billboards.

At the north end of Zhongyang Dajie, just south of the river, is this monument dedicated to the city’s flood control efforts around fifty years ago preventing Songhua Jiang from overflowing its banks into Harbin.  The monument rests on a huge embankment built along the riverside to prevent flooding.

Smelled any fragrant birds recently?  Here’s a wonderful addition to my “Great Signs of China” series.  Though not as stunning as Lijiang’s famous “Sexual Health Thing Shop,” it definitely takes first prize for being the most puzzling to English readers.  Discovering the word “Italy” spelled sideways makes contemplating this sign a true moment of zen.

(Note: These photographs were taken in 2003.  Many, many more photographs from more recent Harbin winter festival events can be found on this site.  The six-page collection from my visit in 2005 starts here; the four-page collection from my visit in 2007 starts here; and the four-page collection from my visit in 2009 starts here.)