Harbin Trip

Hello all!!

Long time I haven’t update these blog, maybe since now I’m not in Beijing anymore. Exactly, I am now back in Indonesia, 3 years been working. And I miss Beijing a lot. So, looking back my old photos, I realize I haven’t got a chance to post pictures of my trip to Harbin.

It was the coldest place I ever been. I was born and raised in tropical city, so now wonder I was like a cat drowning in an ice lake. It was so cold. I worn jacket like bear with thick fur, the coldest my body part was my feet and hand, even I already wear re bao for that body part.

I went to Harbin on 7-10 Jan 2011, with my friends. We went by train like local do, with night train, so we basically sleeping on the train. The train ticket’s price was 263 RMB.

First stop, we went to Harbin Polarland, it was basically like a small zoo, filled with animals that live in cold place, from white wolf to shark. 

Next place was Harbin Siberian Tiger Park. I was really impressed, because we were like in Jurassic Park, we went to a park with the secure car, completed with steel windows. Outside our car was tigers everywhere, and once we saw tiger while eating that looked like a chicken leftover. We could pay with some money for “an eating show”, higher you pay bigger threat for the tiger. The guide said that we were lucky because there was "paid show" before us, and we still could see the tiger eat the leftover. Not only Siberian Tiger, but there are also White Tiger, White Lion, Cheetah and even Jaguar.

White Tiger

Because Harbin is really close to Rusia, there was a place where we could see Rusia’s culture and building in China (sorry for my rusty memories).

Our Small Group

A must to do list in Harbin is see the snow and ice sculpture show. Of course it was outside, I always remind myself that it once a lifetime I would gone to Harbin, so basically enjoy it while we’re young and strong. Hahaha.. We were there when sunset, it was getting darker and colder. Last stop was the main event, the ice sculpture show at night, because at night, we can see the beautiful light shining on the ice sculpture. 

Second day on Harbin, we went to a show where we saw a bunch of people diving with bathing suit to the freezing lake.. Good luck with that! I was freezing cold with bunch of clothes, and they were swimming. On the same place, we were playing some winter fun stuff also. Next, Harbin Dragon Tower. Took some pictures in front of the tower. 

 

Then, visiting the former orthodox church, St. Sophia in Harbin which is resembling Russia Culture. On there, again we saw some people took pre-wedding pictures where the bride only wore bride gown on these freezing temperature. Poor bride have to be looked so beautiful with a piece of bride gown while the groom could wear full clothes. Bravo for the cold bride!!

Last stop on second day was a shopping mall. And the only thing I bought while there beside McDonald for dinner, was an ice cream. In our class, we were told that even Harbin is already cold, Harbin people still love eating an ice cream. It was not bad to eating ice cream in such cold weather. It was sweet and you don’t need to hurry eating it, because it wont melt unless in your mouth. Nyummy!! 

Going back to Beijing by night train. Good bye Harbin, thanks for giving me freezing experience, that made me realize I love my home country even more.

Tian Jin 天津

One day trip to Tian Jin. From Beijing South Railway Station to Tianjin, it's only take 30 minutes by fast train. So fast and efficient. By guide from wikitravel, book and Tianjin map, me and friends go to Tianjin. When we're arrived, the weather was kinda foggy.

First, we're going to the Traditional Street Market in TianJin. Like typical tourist in China, we're got tricked by one chinese guy. We didn't know how far the market from the train station, and because we're five person, we thought it would be cheaper to go by one taxi to the market. They guy said it will cost us 30 RMB, but after got in taxi he ask for another 5 RMB, because we're 5 person. And the market is not so far. -.-;

There are a lot of snack vendor around TianJin.

茶汤 Tea Soup?!

Those are from Chicken, the traditional way to clean.

Then went lunch in South Food Market, where there are a branch from the popular Gou Bu Li 狗不理 Restaurant in Tian Jin, they are popular with their 包子 steamed bun. For me, it's delicious but too pricey. But well, at least I tried what they said TianJin must-eat-food.

Another Snack Vendor, sell Fried Cake.

The South Food Market. ALL FOOD VENDORS!!

Gou Bu Li

It cost about 10-20 RMB/bun, while in Beijing you can find 5 RMB for 8-10 smaller bun.

After lunch, we went to Drum Tower. And again, around Drum Tower, there are many snack vendors.

Ring Toast Game, how that small rings can fit that big Pig Saving Bank!?

 What that guy are doing? He create a creature using candy.

Snack Vendors.. And Game Stalls..

Police Car Bicycle

The Last stop is Italian Street. You can't help but notice, that TianJin building is far from the China Image. It was surrounded by European Building lookalike. And these street, the government try to renovate and revive the Italian City in TianJin. From history, there are another country street in TianJin, like Germany, French, Korea, etc.

Perfect Spot for Pre-Wedding Photos

Can you spot the bride and groom? It's countless couples doing their pre-wedding photos and with any colour clothes you can find, from white, cream, blue, orange, pink.. and..

Black Dress..

Last sight from TianJin..