Introduction
2024-08-23 --- 2024-11-10
I came to Harbin for my Ph.D. I had only been here twice before: once in 2020 for an interview with SAIC R&D (at that time it was called the Forward-looking Department), and I stayed only for 2 days; the other time was in 2012 for a family trip with my parents, aunt, and cousin, visiting Zhongyang Street and Ice and Snow World. Both visits were short, so I didn't have much impression of Harbin, just that it's cold and the drivers have bad tempers. Now that I've been living here for a while, I've realized that indeed, the drivers' tempers are quite bad, and they drive recklessly on the road.
1. Harbin Opera House
2024-09-03
I went on a weekday, and there were many elderly people, some of them flying kites.
2. Changshou Mountain
2024-09-11
I only walked the front mountain, didn't have time for the back mountain.
3. 731
2024-09-12
4. Pingshan Deer Park
2024-09-19
I went on a weekday, so there was no one else, and towards the end, I was almost alone.
5. Songfeng Mountain
2024-09-21
It was about 400 meters, and it took 2.5 hours to go up and down. The view is better than at Changshou Mountain.
6. Sun Island
2024-09-26
The only advantage is that it's free.
7. Jinlong Mountain
2024-10-02
It was the National Day, so there were a lot of people. At the top of the mountain, I saw two little girls, probably elementary school students, who were filming a TikTok saying "Little Jinlong Mountain conquered." Hahaha.
8. Mao'er Mountain
2024-10-12
It was about 800 meters, and the total time for going up and down was 3.5 hours. The top was freezing cold, and I caught a cold when I came back.
9. Tianheng Mountain Park
2024-10-24
The weather had gotten colder, and the trees were bare.
10. Jiangjun Mountain
2024-10-26
No one else was there, just me and two unfamiliar little dogs. The three of us climbed to the top and back down together. I appreciate them—they're more interesting than the scenery.
11. Erlong Mountain
2024-10-26
You can drive to the top of the mountain, and it has a lake, which is a plus. The view is decent.
12. Jiuzhan Park
2024-10-29
I took a walk around Jiuzhan Park at night and enjoyed the view of the Songhua River at night.
The architecture in Harbin is quite distinctive.
13. Dog Island
2024-11-02
14. Stalin Park
2025-09-11
Almost a year has passed—back in Harbin for my PhD comprehensive exam. After dinner, I wandered into a park. No wonder Harbin is called the City of Music; so many seasoned artists here.
An old gentleman playing the violin—his vibe was absolutely on point.
On Tiktok live—singing and playing guitar. I stood there for an hour, he was that good. Honestly, his voice had me thinking JJ Lin showed up.
Apart from the music crowd, there was the leisure crowd—playing cards, mahjong, chess, even ping pong. The vibe was super chill.
Harbin’s sense of aesthetics is really impressive—rooted in its industrial past.
Cities with rivers always feel beautiful—the train slowly crossing the bridge, another group of people heading home.
