Harbin Shopping

Harbin is one of the largest commercial cities in Northeast China and also the distribution center for the Sino-Russian trade. As the special geographical location, local specialties and souvenirs can be divided into roughly two categories: Northeastern Chinese specialties and Russian products. The former one includes Three Treasures of Northeast China, namely Ginseng, pilose antler, and marten and others like smoked salmon, black fungus, mushroom and dried fruits; the latter one contains Da Lie Ba, red sausages, lacquer ware, tinwork, violet gold jewelry, and Russian dolls suite.

Chinses-Russian Market: the best place to go to buy Russian products, as well as Chinese famous products. It is not a place to buy expensive products and is necessary to bargain here. MYKAL Department Store: The most upscale shopping center with a number of world-famous brand names, located at Intersection of Shangzhi Street and Shitoudao Street. Some recommended shopping centre in Harbin: the Central Avenue, Jingyu Street, Guo geli Avenue, Xuefu Street, and the Garden Street.

Harbin, one of the largest business cities in northeast China, possesses many shopping malls on every boulevard. Once you start shopping in Harbin, a day will go by so fast as you lose yourself among loads of shopping malls and shopping markets.

Popular shopping places are Qiulin Co., Harbin Department Store, Jiangnanchun Business Building, Harbin Shopping Plaza, Harbin Business Building, Manhattan Business Building, Hualian Business Building, Central Business Building, New World Department Store, Songlei International Business Building as well as Jianshejie Shoes Store.

Due to the harsh weather here that makes most goods hard to grow, Harbin has fewer local products to brag about. Sausage is popular with ordinary households, an influence perhaps of the Russian history here.

Local specialties and souvenirs can be divided into roughly two categories: Northeastern Chinese specialties and Russian products. Black Currant Wine and Russian Nested Doll are two other popular products to buy.

The Black Currant is commonly called the "Black Bean Fruit" by local people. It was a wild plant originally, but it was planted artificially later. Using the Black Currant to make wine is the traditional product of the Harbin Qiulin Company. It has a history of nearly one hundred years. Every mid-September, the Black Currant is ripe. Every full seed is enclosed in a juicy, mildly acidic pulp. It's the best time to make it into wine.

The Candy Stuffed with Wine is a traditional Russian-style candy. It has a long history. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was introduced into Harbin . The Candy Stuffed with Wine made by the Candy Factory of the Qiulin Company is recognized to be the best.

Harbin Red sausage was originally called "Russia and Lithuania Sausage". It has a history of nearly one hundred years since it has been introduced into Harbin. Because the surface of the sausage is purplish red, it's called "Red Sausage" by locals.

It's a toy, which is made up of several lovely dolls. The small one is placed in the large one. The smaller one is placed in the small one. One doll is stored inside another until there is no room to hold any other doll. Every doll is painted with various pictures, such as, man who is hunting on the horse, woman wearing fine clothes, children who are playing.

Lie Ba is a kind of typical large Russian bread. It's nearly larger than the pot using for steaming food. Only Harbin has traditional cooks and facilities of making pastry in China, These cooks can roast the real Russian bread.

With fresh air and bright light, underground shopping mall of Golden Street lies under the Fendou Road of Nangang District in Harbin . It was a part of civil defenses originally during the war period. In 1988, it was reconstructed to be an underground shopping mall.

Zhongyi Department Store is adequate for most local people and visitors. Costume, adornments, fashion jewelers, cosmetics, perfumes, Korean stationery, and other merchandises are available in this four stored building and the most important thing is that the goods there are not expensive at all.

Dog Salmon is a kind of fish. The harsh climate in Harbin helps toughen up the physique of every species of living animal. Dog salmon (Damaha yu) is no exception. To withstand the freezing cold in winter, which can drop to temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees C, the salmon in Harbin grows a layer of fat, making it extra tasty for use in fish dishes such as fish slices, fish ball soup and salted fish.When you visit Harbin, don't forget to sample this "survivor of the fittest"!