HARBIN——THE CITY OF ICE
    On the map of the People's Republic of Chin
a,HeilongjiangProvince looks like a flying swan
with spread wings while Harbin resembles a dazz
ling pearl under the nick of the swan.
    Harbin,capital of Heilongjiang Province ,is
an important city linking with Northeast Asia.E
urope and the Pacific Ocean.a communications hu
b radiating to all toruist attractions in the p
rovice as well as a multifunctional tourism cit
y featuring ice and snow,and heat ——escaping 
tours.
    With a time——honored history,Harbin is a 
famous city which assembles the cultures of all
ethnic minorties i Nouth China and integrates C
hinese culture with foreign culture.The city pr
oper is beautifully decorated by the Confucian 
Temple,the Bliss Temple,Western classic archite
ture and different kinds of christian churches.
Hence it is given the name of "Lesser Paris in 
the East."
    Harbin has picturesque scenery composed of 
the Songhua River running across the city,the t
owering Memorial Tower for the Victory over Flo
ods,Songhua Highway Bridge linking south with n
orth,the meticulously built club on the river,t
he annular Workers'Gymnasium and the artistic s
culptures and miniature buildings in Stalin par
k.They all lie along the banks of the Songhua R
iver.
    On the northern side of the channel of the 
Songhua River,the Sun Island Scenic Area,surrou
nded by blue water,is quiet,graceful,and full o
f interests.In hot summer,the island is a natur
al sun-bath ground with weeping willows along t
he banks and white and fine sands in the beache
s.In winter when the land is covered with ice a
nd snow,it is an ideal place for winter swimmin
g ,ice sailing ,snow skilng ,etc.
    Other tourist attractions include Children'
s Park,well known for the first children's recr
eational railway and train in China;the Harbin 
Zoo housing varius rare bords and animals;the n
ortheast Tiger Gardem'tje Fprest Botanical Gard
en which is known as the show window of plants 
in Northeast China;the scenic Harbin Amusement 
Ground in the western suburbs,and the Lake Chan
gling Holiday Village are ideal places for fish
ing,picnicking,swimming,camping and lighting bo
nfire.The green and luxurant Songfeng Mountain 
,the Erlong Mountain Scenic Area,the Yuquan Hun
tin Ground and the Yabuli Skiing Ground are Chi
na's famous summer resorts.
    The Harbin Summer Concert has become a trad
itional music festival which attracts a large n
umber of domestic nd foreign tourists every yea
r.
    The China Harbin Economic and Trade Fair he
ld once a year has attracced business people fr
om more than 50 countries to establish trade,ec
omomic and technological cooperation whit Heilo
ngjiang.Harbin is becoming an international tra
de city in Northeast Asia.
    As one of the birthplaces of the world ice 
and snow culture,Harbing once served as the hos
t of the Third Asian Winter Games.Alpine skiing
snow recreational activities are well-known bot
h at home and abroad.The Harbin Ice and Snow Fe
stival has developed its unique characteristics
.Harbin,the city of ice,will gradually become C
hina's ice and snow tourism center.
    Harbin,a famous city in North China.warmly
welcomes Chinese and foreitn friends.