Before we left Harbin,
It was an excellent trip. The cold is biting and painful – that’s true – but it’s worth braving the weather to step into a totally different world. A truly memorable holiday π
Some little standalone shop, cute!

A tiny, nondescript door that we found, that led to a L-O-N-G row of
shops selling all sorts of weird and wonderful foods!
The famous Dumpling King!
Yummy food, washed down with Harbin Beer
Outside the famous Sophia Cathedral, gorgeous Russian architecture!
Tres impressive
I went into shock when I saw this – it is DOG *speechless*
A myriad of candies
Standing on the river that’s completely frozen solid
Pretty horses
Dogs – they looked cold π
Freakin’ cold but so much fun!
Having a hot coffee to warm up… brrrr…
Ice creams and internet-surfing whilst waiting for our flight back to Shanghai
36 Comments
starbucksweetie posted on February 6, 2010 at 1:46 am
So cool to see Russian architecure next to Chinese signage.
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:02 am
Yeah, quite surreal, lol
irene82 posted on February 6, 2010 at 1:54 am
Dog meat is supposedly very good for keeping the body warm in blistering cold weather. It’s SO cruel!
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:06 am
Yeowch.. i didn’t know that. it was scary to see it all laid out like that!
opalline posted on February 6, 2010 at 5:25 am
From a critical POV, I feel that dog meat is on the same level as cow/pig/chicken/etc. I don’t think it’s fair to consider certain animals okay to eat and not others (unless the meat is undesirable or harmful in some way). I’m not vegetarian.
On a personal level, I LOVE dogs and am totally horrified by that pic!!!!
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 5:41 am
Fully agree! That’s why I don’t really go bonkers about NOT killing cute animals etc.. I feel I don’t really have the right to.
But then again, I think people that go on and on about it with their holier-than-thou attitude are stupid and antagonistic anyway π
cenedrah posted on February 6, 2010 at 7:59 am
Agreed. I too would be horrified with seeing dog meat but that’s because I wasn’t raised to see dogs as a form of food. Regardless, meat is meat and I don’t see how it’s any more cruel than eating a steak.
I think those who do think that way need to consider cultural differences.
Anyway, I love how you can have such different, wonderful experiences in every corner of China. Such a vast, beautiful country π Thanks for all the updates!
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Very good point – i’ts not fair and a bit close-minded to go “eww” at people eating whatever it is they’re eating. To each their own I guess!
China is SO different once you step a few hours out of wherever you are.. that’s what I love about it π
starbucksweetie posted on February 6, 2010 at 1:46 am
So cool to see Russian architecure next to Chinese signage.
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:02 am
Yeah, quite surreal, lol
irene82 posted on February 6, 2010 at 1:54 am
Dog meat is supposedly very good for keeping the body warm in blistering cold weather. It’s SO cruel!
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:06 am
Yeowch.. i didn’t know that. it was scary to see it all laid out like that!
opalline posted on February 6, 2010 at 5:25 am
From a critical POV, I feel that dog meat is on the same level as cow/pig/chicken/etc. I don’t think it’s fair to consider certain animals okay to eat and not others (unless the meat is undesirable or harmful in some way). I’m not vegetarian.
On a personal level, I LOVE dogs and am totally horrified by that pic!!!!
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 5:41 am
Fully agree! That’s why I don’t really go bonkers about NOT killing cute animals etc.. I feel I don’t really have the right to.
But then again, I think people that go on and on about it with their holier-than-thou attitude are stupid and antagonistic anyway π
oldron posted on February 6, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Boy that looks like really cold there.
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Yeah.. argh… it was insanely cold!
cenedrah posted on February 6, 2010 at 7:59 am
Agreed. I too would be horrified with seeing dog meat but that’s because I wasn’t raised to see dogs as a form of food. Regardless, meat is meat and I don’t see how it’s any more cruel than eating a steak.
I think those who do think that way need to consider cultural differences.
Anyway, I love how you can have such different, wonderful experiences in every corner of China. Such a vast, beautiful country π Thanks for all the updates!
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Very good point – i’ts not fair and a bit close-minded to go “eww” at people eating whatever it is they’re eating. To each their own I guess!
China is SO different once you step a few hours out of wherever you are.. that’s what I love about it π
oldron posted on February 6, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Boy that looks like really cold there.
beverly posted on February 6, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Yeah.. argh… it was insanely cold!
drshree posted on February 7, 2010 at 4:02 am
Dog meat? :(. I mean I’ve heard of it, but……and I know, I’m not a vegetarian or anything, but dog meat?? π
I had a Chow chow (mixed)…and heard that its bread in part of China for its meat!!
beverly posted on February 7, 2010 at 2:01 pm
WOW i didn’t know that about the chow chow.. fortunately not in Shanghai, or at least as far as I know!
drshree posted on February 7, 2010 at 4:02 am
Dog meat? :(. I mean I’ve heard of it, but……and I know, I’m not a vegetarian or anything, but dog meat?? π
I had a Chow chow (mixed)…and heard that its bread in part of China for its meat!!
beverly posted on February 7, 2010 at 2:01 pm
WOW i didn’t know that about the chow chow.. fortunately not in Shanghai, or at least as far as I know!
nakedpetals posted on February 7, 2010 at 12:18 pm
OMG! Sick seeing the dog meat since I have dogs.
I hear about them all the time, but I chose not to believe it! And I just thought like farm/village people sell dog meat to make money cos they don’t have cows or any other farm animals to sell! But thats an actual shop!!!?!
eek π
beverly posted on February 7, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Ya it was surprising to see dog meat there in full view! But I guess it must be common in Harbin? I never see it in Shanghai though..
peachietree posted on February 7, 2010 at 12:36 pm
That first picture is hilarious; you guys are all covered head to toe and face! The trip looked absolutely gorgeous and a mix of what’s amazing and also painful about living in China. I want to go but am having a hard time getting over the thought of -30C weather ahh!
beverly posted on February 7, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Heh yeah, EVERY bit had to be covered or the air just *bites*, so painful! It makes Shanghai’s weather seem lovely in comparison π
nakedpetals posted on February 7, 2010 at 12:18 pm
OMG! Sick seeing the dog meat since I have dogs.
I hear about them all the time, but I chose not to believe it! And I just thought like farm/village people sell dog meat to make money cos they don’t have cows or any other farm animals to sell! But thats an actual shop!!!?!
eek π
beverly posted on February 7, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Ya it was surprising to see dog meat there in full view! But I guess it must be common in Harbin? I never see it in Shanghai though..
peachietree posted on February 7, 2010 at 12:36 pm
That first picture is hilarious; you guys are all covered head to toe and face! The trip looked absolutely gorgeous and a mix of what’s amazing and also painful about living in China. I want to go but am having a hard time getting over the thought of -30C weather ahh!
beverly posted on February 7, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Heh yeah, EVERY bit had to be covered or the air just *bites*, so painful! It makes Shanghai’s weather seem lovely in comparison π
blacklamb66 posted on February 8, 2010 at 9:16 pm
OMG
DOG! I donβt believe it. I can’t focus on nothing else besides this one photo.
beverly posted on February 9, 2010 at 3:00 am
Re: OMG
it was even more scary in real life! I think just seeing body parts/head instead of just the meat is a lot more confronting..
blacklamb66 posted on February 8, 2010 at 9:16 pm
OMG
DOG! I donβt believe it. I can’t focus on nothing else besides this one photo.
beverly posted on February 9, 2010 at 3:00 am
Re: OMG
it was even more scary in real life! I think just seeing body parts/head instead of just the meat is a lot more confronting..