China Guide
Dongbei
Accommodation
1 Beibei Directly across from the train station 
0451/82570960 
82570972 Reincarnated and refurbished under new management – the hot water now works, but rates remain reasonable. Price: ¥80-139
2 Gloria Plaza 259 Zhongyang Dajie 0451/8670000 86770088 Smart four-star affair in a great location looking out across the river towards Sun Island. Discounts can make this a comfortably affordable option. Price: ¥450-599
3 Holiday Inn 90 Jingwei Jie, at the head of Zhongyang Dajie 0451/84887205 
www.holiday-inn.com/harbinchn Fading a bit, but good value for its location, as well as the very helpful English-speaking staff. Year-round discounts can dramatically cut rates. Price: ¥450-599
4 Hongda 2 Shangzhi Dajie; 5min walk from Zhongyang Lu 0451/84637582 87680577 Clean, friendly and cheap. Breakfast included. Price: ¥80-139
5 Huangjin 261 Zhongyang Dajie 0451/55569977 An excellent location, especially given the price – which is thoroughly negotiable – but don't expect too many creature comforts. Price: ¥80-139
6 Longmen 85 Hongqi Jie 0451/86791999 A grand old place built in 1901 as the Chinese Eastern Railway Hotel, this restored gem is a snapshot of Harbin's bicultural past. If you don't stay here, pop in to admire the woodwork, sculptures, and English-language captions on the photographs – and ask to see the suite, used by the warlord Zhang Xueliang and later by Chairman Mao. The ordinary rooms are pleasant, and the staff top-notch. Bargain for lower rates. Price: ¥300-449
7 Longyun Across from the train station and a few doors to the right 0451/82830102 53634937 A clean, modern place near the train station. Price: ¥80-139
8 Modern 89 Zhongyang Dajie; enter via the lobby of a bank 0451/84884199 84614997 The name is a misnomer, as this place was built in 1906 and survives as Harbin's oldest hotel. An elegant building on one of the city's busiest streets, it's bursting with character, with European- and Russian-style restaurants and 160 rooms. Price: ¥450-599
9 Shangri-La 555 Youyi Lu 0451/84858888 www.shangri‑la.com Harbin's only five-star hotel overlooks Stalin Park, Zhongyang Dajie and Zhaolin Park, making it the best place to stay during the Ice Festival. Book early. Price: ¥800