Harbin, China ๐จ๐ณ
Nomad Score:
52%
Essentials
| ๐๏ธ City | Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province in northeastern China, known for its beautiful winter ice festivals. |
| ๐ฅ Population | Approximately 5 million |
| ๐ป Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps |
| ๐ธ Currency & Banking | 1 CNY โ 0.14 USD |
| ๐ฐ Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| ๐ Power | 220V, 50Hz, ๐ Type A/C plugs |
| ๐ถ SIM Card | China Mobile and China Unicom offer flexible prepaid plans. |
| ๐ณ Banking for Expats | Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted; credit cards like Visa and Mastercard also accepted in major establishments. |
| ๐ Accommodation | Options include hotels, hostels, and apartments on platforms like Airbnb and Tujia. |
| ๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in urban areas; mobile payments are highly popular. |
| ๐ Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local sites like Xiaozhu offer numerous short-term rental options. |
| ๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Hostel 140, prices starting from ยฅ80 per night. |
Working and Networking
| ๐ข Best Coworking Space | Xiangyue Coworking Space, located in the central business district. |
| โ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe de Lune, offering strong Wi-Fi and a cozy atmosphere. |
| ๐ผ Networking Events | Events held at Harbin Institute of Technology; check local Meetup groups. |
| ๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | Harbin Foreigners Club organizes gatherings and activities regularly. |
Transportation
| ๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi Chuxing is the most popular ride-sharing app in Harbin. |
| ๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike offers bike sharing across the city. |
| ๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | Huanghe Beach, located about 45 minutes from the city. |
| โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | China Southern Airlines operates within northern China. |
| โ๏ธ Top International Airline | Air China and China Eastern serve Harbin for international routes. |
| ๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | Accessible via G10 and Given highway routes. |
| ๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Harbin Railway Station, connecting to major cities in China. |
| ๐ Public Transport Passes | Public transport cards available for buses and subways. |
| โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connecting to cities like Daqing and Jiamusi. |
Health and Wellness
| ๐ฅ Best Hospital | Harbin Medical University Hospital, offers a wide range of medical services. |
| ๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | Feel Good Yoga, located downtown offering various classes. |
| ๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness in Harbin offers 24/7 access. |
| ๐งบ Laundry Services | Laundry time, affordable drop-off and services available. |
Food and Drink
| ๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | Meituan and Ele.me for convenient food delivery services. |
| ๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Harbin sausage (ๅๅฐๆปจ็บข่ ), known for its smoky flavor. |
| ๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Loving Hut is a well-known vegan restaurant in Harbin. |
| ๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Harbin Cake House, famous for its pastries. |
| ๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Sanhe Public Market, fresh produce and local foods. |
| ๐ E-commerce/Online Store | JD.com and Taobao are popular for online shopping. |
| ๐ Grocery Delivery | Freshippo offers grocery shopping and delivery services. |
| ๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | Central Avenue (ไธญๅคฎๅคง่ก) features vibrant nightlife options. |
| ๐ป Local Brewery | Harbin Brewery, famous for its local beers. |
| ๐ท Wine Bars | Chateau de Sรจvres offers exquisite wine selections. |
| ๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Street vendors along Central Avenue provide diverse snacks. |
| ๐ Popular International Cuisine | Pizza Hut and KFC are well established and popular. |
Culture and Attractions
| ๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | Harbin Ice Festival, a spectacular winter event. |
| ๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | Harbin Museum of Art featuring local artists. |
| ๐ฐ Historical Sites | St. Sophia Cathedral is a must-visit. |
| ๐ Religious Sites | The Orthodox Church of Harbin showcases stunning architecture. |
| ๐ Annual Events | Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, held every January. |
| ๐จ Cultural Districts | Central Avenue offers a blend of cultural experiences and architecture. |
| ๐ญ Theater Venues | Harbin Grand Theatre hosts various cultural performances. |
| ๐๏ธ Local Markets | Dongdamen Market has a range of local products. |
| ๐ผ Music Scene | Live music at bars around Central Avenue. |
| ๐จ Street Art | Street murals are found around the city, particularly in cultural areas. |
| ๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Chinese Culture and Cooking School offers hands-on experiences. |
| ๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Zhongyang Gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions. |
| ๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | The Harbin Railway Station offers stunning architectural views. |
| ๐ด Local Heritage | Influences from Russian architecture make Harbin unique. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| ๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Harbin Forest Park, a great spot for walking and recreational activities. |
| ๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Wudalianchi National Nature Reserve, known for its volcanic landscape. |
| ๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | Walking paths along the Songhua River are popular for leisure. |
| ๐ Scenic Viewpoints | Songhua River banks provide beautiful views, especially at sunset. |
| ๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Zhalong Nature Reserve, famous for Red-crowned Cranes. |
| ๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Parks along the river may have designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| ๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | SF Express provides reliable parcel delivery throughout China. |
| ๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | Tech repair shops available downtown, including locations like iApple Repair. |
| ๐ Table Tennis Spots | Public parks have tables available for use. |
| ๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | Mandarin Corner offers great language classes for expats. |
| ๐ Libraries & Study Spots | Harbin City Library is a well-known place for study and quiet reading. |
| ๐๏ธ Community Centers | Harbin Foreigners Association hosts various social events and classes. |
| ๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | iGame Lounge offers entertainment and gaming setups. |
| ๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | Harbin lacks casinos; entertainment focuses on other avenues. |
Business
| ๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ยฅ15,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = ยฅ600,000) |
| ๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ยฅ10,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = ยฅ400,000) |
| ๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ยฅ13,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = ยฅ780,000) |
| ๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ยฅ8,500 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = ยฅ510,000) |
| ๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ยฅ11,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = ยฅ880,000) |
| ๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ยฅ7,500 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = ยฅ600,000) |
| ๐ผ Corporate Tax | 25% |
| ๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
| ๐ฆ Tax System | Progressive tax system based on residency status. |
| ๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| ๐งพ VAT | 13% |
| ๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | CFC rules applicable, check with a local tax advisor. |
| ๐ Property Tax | Annual tax assessed based on property value. |
| ๐ Property Transaction Tax | 3% standard rate applicable at the time of property purchase. |