Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zach with a Z]

Hey anyone ever braved the cold to go to Harbin for the ice festival? I am thinking of heading over for a few days during some break time..

cold as *beep* I know

But there is some cool ass ice things and a place where you can buy a cow or chicken and have it attacked by Siberian tigers...crazy Chinese....

anyhow, anyone been?

advice? (besides bring a coat)

[samd]

I've been to Harbin, but when the Ice Festival was over. It was still pretty cold though.

Harbin isn't the nicest city in China, but if you've been to China before and you know what to expect (drab, polluted, etc) then you'll be fine. It's also got a fair bit of Russian influence, on the architecture and the food, which makes it a bit different and more interesting than your average Chinese city of a similar size and importance.

Also, at Harbin airport there is a North Korean gift shop selling artwork, soju and cigarettes, staffed by two young North Korean women from Pyongyang. Talking to them was the highlight of my trip actually.

I'd say it's well worth a visit for the Ice Festival.

[D.D.]

I know many people who have been and have never heard a complaint. Everybody said they had a great time. I hate cold weather but still will make the journey some year.

[travel zen]

I've been there a few years ago. Wanna see pics ? Msg me your facebook name and I'll add you

Colder than cold because its out in the open so you have the wind whipping thru you, but cool sculptures. There is an entrance fee and the refreshements (hot chocolate,etc) are more expensive than they should be. Something to see? Yes, but fun... ?

Harbin is a cool city. Women are a little taller than other cities, Russian buildings to photograph and strips of bars to visit. Be careful of the bars, chinese can be ultra-nationalist and if you ain't chinese, they may kick you out

[soviet_man]

When I think of Harbin (passed thru on the way to and from Russia a few times) what I remember is FUR.

Fur hats, fur coats etc. for sale.

Unethical or not, it would be quite difficult to find alternative clothes that are sufficiently warm enough to go there in the dead of winter.

[D.D.]

[travel zen]

Yep.

It happens all over Asia in fact. I'm supposing there is no 'help line' for that anywhere.

Its less likely in the main touristy areas, more likely in the suburbs and smaller towns.

[D.D.]

^ it doesnt happen in China there my friend. I was writing the last post to tell people that doesnt happen. In fact the opposite happens where Chinsese want to drink with you . The smaller the town the more they want you to drink with them.

[travel zen]

[D.D.]

I have lived all over China for 3 1/2 years and this is very rare to almost non existant in their character towards westerners. It is common amongst Koreans and that is theonly place I have not been welcome to have a drink.
So in a travel forum I will always say in China you will be welcome in 99.9% of places.

[travel zen]

Be sure to also mention in your travel forum that China is a very racist place. I wonder what would happen to me if I went to that bar...

I've been to Korea immediately after China, and found the koreans much more open (but still not enough) and frendlier to people of colour than the chinese. This also goes for Mongolia and Japan.

I've seen neo-nazis in Ulaan Bataar, they seem only to care for the chinese