Harbin

Heilongjiang Datian International Shipping Company

Main FEDEX agent in Harbin.

 

DHL and UPS both deliver to Harbin but through Chinese shipping companies.

US Consulate Shenyang 24 Emergency Hotline

No. 2 Hospital of Harbin Medical University

All doctors in Department No. 2 can assist foreigners.

Provincial Hospital

While it is unlikely that you will be a victim of a crime, as in any large city be vigilant about your personal property, exercise care if you find yourself on a lightly traveled street, and always be aware of your surroundings.

Most trouble that people run into in Harbin revolves around drinking at the clubs. Harbin is famous in China for being a "rough" city, and locals pride themselves on their machismo. Fights are common on the weekends and while this may not directly involve you, it’s best to leave at the first signs of conflict. Don’t expect bar security to come to your rescue.

Avoid going to clubs alone.

Be vigilant of your personal property and be aware of your surroundings.

Be careful when crossing the street. Keep an eye on the locals and cross with them.

Dress warmly and in layers during the winter months.

Avoid fish caught in the Songhua River as it was contaminated by benzyne in November 2005 – fish is available from the many lakes surrounding Harbin.

Avoid going into small bathhouses and small KTV alone, as you may end up being forced to pay for a bill you didn't order. If you choose to go, be mindful of what you are getting into and leave at the first sign of illegal activity. People interested in a "massage" with extras should avoid doing it in Harbin.

Free emergency telephone numbers:

Police: 110.

Fire alarm: 119.

Medical care: 120.

Remember these three telephone numbers. They are valid on most of the Chinese mainland.

In winter, streets can get slippery and it's not uncommon to see parts of sidewalks covered in ice. So never hurry when you walk, and be very careful when using outdoors steps, such as on footbridges and when getting on and off buses.

internet

The city is littered with Net bars 网吧 wangba that are usually very cheap and do not require I.D at the door like the ones in Beijing. The biggest Internet cafes are near the universities like Harbin Institute of Technology and Hei Da. Be forewarned that sometimes you may have to wait for a computer depending on what time of day it is 5PM-12PM are the worst, school is out and that the Internet connection can sometimes be down for days at time in various parts of the city. Also, these places are filled with a haze of smoke and Chinese screaming obscenties after they lost a game of Counter Strike or World of Warcraft.

All of the computers are in Chinese language, but still using windows so its relatively easy to use. You cannot print at Net bars. If you are looking to print something try going to a print or copy station — look for the Chinese characters 复印 fuyin or 打印 dayin.

cope

Harbin is known for its cruel winter weather. Be sure to have adequate clothing and protect the extremities. Gloves, thick socks, scarves, and ear protections are a must.

If you are in Harbin for the long haul, try to get away to somewhere warm during the winter break such as Hainan or Thailand. Also, an excursion to Beijing is a must for anyone staying in Harbin for any considerable amount of time.

phones

If you are looking to refill the minutes on your China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom SIM card, you might have trouble, as very few locations in the city sell the refill cards. In Harbin, you have to go to an actual store and pay the money to a teller to have your phone refilled and often times you can refill out of town numbers at China Mobile or China Unicom Branches.