I spent my mornings and nights dining alone in Harbin, staying at the Grand Mansion 1903 Hotel (St. Sophia Cathedral Branch). I spent the day exploring popular tourist spots and the evenings relaxing in this historic hotel. This kind of comfort is something I absolutely must recommend! 😋
🏨First, let me give you a shout-out to this century-old Grand Mansion Hotel! (Key point: Built in 1903, it embodies the ambiance of a Russian aristocracy!)
Grand Mansion 1903 Hotel (St. Sophia Cathedral Branch) – A luxurious stay that transcends time and space
• Perfect location: Located just off Central Mall on Central Avenue, just a 940-meter walk from Harbin Sophia Square. Stroll along Central Avenue, admire the European-style architecture, sample authentic local cuisine, and easily access attractions like the Songhua River Cableway. 🚶
• Intimate Service: Upon check-in, the staff warmly offered hot drinks and patiently shared the hotel's century-long history, sharing local highlights and hidden gems. 💌
• Stunning Rooms: The rooms feature a retro Russian style, with exquisite furniture and soft bedding. The bedside tables are delicately carved, and the wall lamps cast a warm glow. Some rooms offer sweeping city views from the windows. The bustling streets during the day and the dazzling lights at night are truly captivating. 🌆
• Abundant Breakfast: Enjoying breakfast in the semi-basement wine cellar is a truly ceremonial experience. Most of the food is homemade, featuring authentic Russian cuisine as well as Chinese dishes, like the warm sticky rice dumplings, perfect for Chinese palates.
• Special Experiences:
◦ Centennial Elevator: There are only two in China, installed by Jews in 1903. The iron gates are a true classic, and the yellow light casts a hazy shadow as the elevator operates, giving you a sense of time travel—perfect for taking photos.
◦ Palace Costume Dress-Up: Dress up in gorgeous palace attire for free and transform into a Russian aristocrat. Take photos around the hotel and create unique memories—the photo-taking rate is super high! 📸
🍜8 Must-Try Dishes:
• Harbin Red Sausage: Firm and tender with a rich smoked aroma, perfect eaten plain or stir-fried. 🥓
• Sweet and Sour Pork: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a sweet and sour flavor. A delightful crunch when you bite into it—a must-try classic! 🍖
• Demoli Fish Stew: Tender fish, delicious broth, and wide noodles soaked up the broth—a truly divine meal! 🐟
• Braised Pork: Fatty yet not greasy, melts in your mouth, and the meat is fragrant. Paired with rice, it's enough to fill two large bowls. 🍚
• Grilled Cold Noodles: Chewy and chewy, topped with eggs, sausage, and vegetables, and smothered in a unique sauce, this is a perfect street food. 🌯
• Sticky Bean Curd Buns: Soft, sweet, and filled with red bean paste, they're delicious steamed or pan-fried, a must-try for sweet lovers. 🫘
• Madiel Popsicles: Rich in milky flavor and a mellow taste, enjoy a uniquely refreshing treat while strolling along Central Avenue. 🍦
• Kvass: The aroma of fermented bread blends with refreshing bubbles, a refreshing and thirst-quenching local drink. 🥤
🍽️ 6 Popular Restaurants:
• Lao Chu Jia (Wen Zheng Street Branch): The century-old origin of sweet and sour pork, located at 186 Wen Zheng Street, Nangang District. An 8-minute walk from Exit 3 of Railway Bureau Station on Metro Line 1. 🚶 Open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Must-try the sweet and sour pork and Demoli stewed fish.
• Portman Western Restaurant (Daoli Branch): A long-standing Russian restaurant, located at 37 Xiqidao Street, Daoli District. A 7-minute walk from Exit 1 of Zhongyang Avenue Station (Metro Line 2). Open 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM. The braised lamb and borscht soup are must-try 🥘
• Fucheng Houjiangyu No. 1: The same fish feast served by Peter Ho and Kenneth Ho. Located at 3188 Youyi West Road, Daoli District. Easily accessible by taxi. Open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM. The river fish feast is a must-try.
• Fugui Pig-Slaughtering Cuisine: A favorite spot for Lu Yi and Bao Lei's family. Located at 175 Hongqi Street, Xiangfang District. A 10-minute walk from Exit 3 of Zhujiang Road Station (Metro Line 3). Open 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM. The pig-slaughtering dish is a must-try 🐷
• Shuilouzi Xinxin Clay Pot House: Featured on "Breakfast China." Located at 115 Nanqidao Street, Daowai District. Walk there, open 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM. Don't miss their signature pork ribs and pickled cabbage vermicelli hot pot. 🥘
• Hongzhuan Huimin Pavilion: Sun Honglei's photo stop, located at 21 Hongzhuan Street, Daoli District. A 6-minute walk from Exit 2 of Central Avenue Station on Metro Line 2. Open 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM. The sweet and sour pork is a must-try.
🚗What's the best way to travel alone?
• High-speed rail: Take Harbin Station or Harbin West Station. Harbin Station is closer to the city's attractions. 🚄
• City transportation: The subway reaches most major attractions, and combined with shared bikes, it's free and convenient. 🚲
• Don't drive: The roads in the old city are narrow, making parking difficult, especially around Central Avenue. Finding a spot can be frustrating. 😂
🌟 Must-see spots for solo travelers:
• Central Avenue: Experience the European architecture of Asia's first pedestrian street. Grab a Madiel popsicle and enjoy it while strolling. 🎈
• Hagia Sophia: Perfect for taking photos, especially under the blue sky. The church is stunning! ⛪
• Songhua River Bank: Watch the frozen river and enjoy ice sports in winter; in other seasons, enjoy the river views and the comfortable breeze. 🌊
• Siberian Tiger Park: See the majestic Siberian tigers and experience the charm of the king of the forest up close. 🐅
⚠️ Solo Travel Tips:
• Dress warmly in winter: Harbin gets extremely cold in the winter, so bring warm clothing, a hat, and gloves. 🧣
• Avoid slippery roads on icy and snowy surfaces: Wear non-slip shoes, walk slowly, and be careful not to slip. 🚶♀️
• Book attractions in advance: Book online in advance for popular attractions to avoid disappointment. 🎫 #SeeHarbinTogether #HarbinTravel #NortheastTourism #ThePlacesYou're Asking About Mostly on WeChat Moments #High-EndHotelsYou'll UnderstandAfterSleeping