population: 10.63 million

extension: 53,068 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Harbin and want to visit museums, one great option is the Heilongjiang Provincial Museum, which features exhibits on local history, culture, and art. Other museums in the area include the Harbin Museum of Art, which focuses on modern and contemporary Chinese art, and the Harbin Polarland Aquarium, which showcases marine life from the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

If you're interested in similar types of museums, you could also check out the Harbin Museum of Natural History or the Harbin Jewish New Synagogue and Jewish Holocaust Museum, both of which offer unique perspectives on history and culture.

Food

Harbin is known for its unique cuisine, which blends elements of Russian and Chinese cooking. Some popular and typical dishes to eat according to local people in Harbin include:

1. Stewed Pork with Vermicelli: A hearty dish featuring tender pork and thin noodles cooked in a savory broth.
2. Guo Bao Rou (Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork): A crispy deep-fried pork dish coated in a tangy sweet and sour sauce.
3. Harbin-style Sausage: A type of smoked sausage made with beef or pork and flavored with garlic, ginger, and other spices.
4. Zhaliang (Fried Dough Rice Noodle Roll): A popular street food consisting of crispy fried dough wrapped around rice noodles and served with soy sauce.
5. Harbin-style Dumplings: Large, juicy dumplings filled with minced meat, vegetables, and sometimes seafood, often served in a clear broth.

Other noteworthy dishes in Harbin include braised fish, borscht (a soup made with beets and other vegetables), and ice cream made from locally-sourced dairy products.

Activities

Harbin is known for its winter activities, so one fun activity that locals enjoy is ice skating at the Harbin Ice and Snow World. This attraction features beautifully lit ice sculptures, ice slides, and other winter-themed activities.

Another popular activity among locals is visiting the Siberian Tiger Park to see the majestic tigers up close. Visitors can take a bus tour of the park while watching the tigers roam around freely in their natural habitat.

If you're interested in experiencing local culture, you could visit the Central Street area, which is a pedestrian street lined with historical buildings, shops, and restaurants selling traditional Harbin snacks such as black sesame cake and sausages.

Finally, if you're looking for a relaxing activity, many locals enjoy visiting the hot springs in Harbin, such as the Tanghe River Hot Springs, where you can soak in natural thermal pools and enjoy the surrounding scenery.