Harbin's offbeat city gems
Travelers are spotlighting Harbin's urban-cultural draws — a Hagia Sophia replica, lively Central Street and Sun Island are trending in recent posts and videos as unexpected city-break options video highlight.
Harbin reported roughly three million visitors over a three-day New Year holiday, producing about six billion yuan in local revenue. radio.cgtn.com Sun Island’s seasonal centerpiece, nicknamed “Mr. Snowman,” measured about 20 meters tall and was constructed from roughly 4,000 cubic meters of snow. en.people.cn Saint Sophia Cathedral has operated as the Harbin Architectural Art Gallery since it was repurposed in 1997, and interior access reopened on December 6, 2025 after a year-long renovation. trip.com A newly laid carpet on Central Street became a short-video sensation, driving spikes in online attention, and travel platforms list day tours that bundle Central Street, St. Sophia and Sun Island (for example, Klook’s Harbin packages). news.cgtn.com
