Harbin

By car

Harbin is connected to the rest of China via the China Highway 102 via Changchun. Harbin is also connected via road to Inner Mongolia, Russia, and Jilin.

By Train (Haerbin Zhan)

Taking a train to Harbin is very easy and most are overnight trains, including a new rapid service from Beijing. Different ways to travel include chair, "hard berth", or "soft berth". Hard berth compartments generally have six sleeping bunks which open onto the main passageway going through the car; soft berth usually has a four person compartment, softer mattresses, and a compartment door you can close. Hard berth is roughly 55% of the price of a soft berth ticket. The bottom bunk is where all your neighbors will want to sit and eat with you when you are not sleeping.

The main station is located at Tielu Jie, between Nangang and Daoli districts. When leaving the train, make sure to keep your ticket stub as you need it to exit the train station.

When you get out of the train station there are literally dozens of taxis waiting. Make sure to take a cab that is in the official waiting line and have them turn their meter on. In some cases these drivers have been waiting all day here and want to get as much money as they can.

There are several hotels right around the square in front of the station and most are fairly cheap. There is also a KFC and a Russian restaurant open 24 hours called Breznev that has decent food.

Connections to Harbin include:

Baotou - 29 hours; ¥113-390

Beijing - 8-18 hours; ¥78-465

Changchun - 2-4 hours; ¥20-91

Changsha - 29 hours; ¥300-833

Daqing

Dalian - 10 hours; ¥109-327

Guangzhou - 37½ hours; ¥355-976

Hailaer

Hangzhou - 36 hours; ¥286-792

Hefei - 22½ hours; ¥245-676

Hegang

Hohhot - 27 hours; ¥102-341

Jiamusi

Jilin - 6½ hours; ¥20-163

Jinan

Jixi

Manzhouli

Mudanjiang

Nanchang

Nanjing

Qiqihaer

Shanghai

Shenyang

Tianjin

Wuhan

Xian

Yichun

Khabarovsk and Vladivostok in Russia twice a week

By plane

Harbin Airport IATA: HRB has services to more than a dozen domestic destinations in addition to Hong Kong.

International services are available to Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, Russia, Niigata, Japan, Seoul, South Korea and Los Angeles, USA.

The airport is not located in the city center and is about a 45 minute drive outside of the city in the middle of soybean fields. If you are flying out of Harbin most ticket agencies can arrange transportation to be included in the cost of the ticket. Another option is to take a taxi, which costs around ¥100-120. Always negotiate this price before the ride, though. Drivers will make their meters read more for the ride otherwise or try to get you to pay for the highway ticket in addition.Please ask the taxi driver for invoices and take down the car number if necessary. It is safe to take a taxi with official certification at the airport.

There is also a bus service (http://www.hljairport.com...) to Downtown Harbin and the rail station. Tickets cost ¥20.

The airport is small, but there is a small restaurant and snack bar selling local delicacies, Chinese and western food, and a nearby hotel if you happen to get stranded.

By bus

The main long-distance bus station Changtu Keyun Zhan is located across the square from main train station.

The majority of cities in Heilongjiang can be reached via bus.

Beijing

takes about 18 hours

Mudanjiang

takes about 4 hours. Frequent departures.

Qiqihar

takes about 5 hours

Changchun

takes about 4 hours

Jilin

takes about 6 hours

Dalian

takes about 10 hrs

Shenyang

takes about 8 hours

Wudailanchi

takes about 6 hours

Yanji

takes about 9 hrs

Traveling to Russia

Vladivostok, Russia

takes about 12 hrs

One daily departure which leaves early in the morning. Buy tickets in the Russian travel agency on the second floor of the bus station. The price is basically the same as going through Mudanjiang/Suifenhe on your own.

Given that you have all your papers sorted the border crossing is straightforward. Guards on the Chinese side speak fluent English and might be curious of non-Russian/Chinese passports. You are required to take all your items with you when crossing the border, do not leave bags on the bus.