China Guide
Dongbei
The Russian Orthodox cathedral
Opening time: Architecture and Art Centre: daily 8.30am–5pm
Price: Architecture and Art Centre: ¥25
Address: Zhaolin Jie: behind the department store on Government Square
The most beautiful and interesting sight in Harbin has to be the Russian Orthodox cathedral (formerly St Sofia's, built in 1907). Set in its own square and restored to all its onion-domed glory, the cathedral now houses the Harbin Architecture and Art Centre, with an interesting photographic survey of Harbin's history as a Russian railway outpost. Additional photos are available via touch-screen computers inside, although the captions, like those throughout the hall, are in Chinese.