Harbin in China
As the tenth largest city in the country, Harbin is a significant cultural, economic, political and scientific center for the entire northeastern region of China. It is located in the Heilongjiang Province and covers an area of 53 775 square kilometers, with an estimated population of approximately 9.5 million residents. It is also known as the “Ice City” and it has one of the coldest winters, which of course makes it ideal to host skiing competitions and ice festivals.
Harbin is located on the Songhua River and is a city that has been undergoing major economic developments since 2006, making this a fruitful business destination. Nangang and Haping are the two development zones in the city and have grown in industries such as travel, insurance, researching enterprises and technological projects. Projects that have been launched included industrial investments such as textiles, medicines and electron. Industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, automobiles and chemical engineering in Harbin have become part of the main industrial bases for China. Large companies such as Harbin Measuring & Cutting Tool Group Co. Ltd, Harbin Dongan Auto Engine, Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing and Harbin Bearing Group have expanded the production of the city to cater for the aviation and automobile industry. With Harbin being an increasingly popular business destination, the Harbin Economic and Trade Fair was founded in 1990 by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, to attract foreign investors and businessmen. It takes place annually to establish relationships, offer investment opportunities and to exhibit their commercial exports and imports industries.
There is an extensive railway network available in Harbin for the transportation of goods. It consists of five international trunk railways and domestic railways. It also has an inland port on the Song Hua River and seven highways that connect the city directly to other destinations across China. Air traffic makes fifty-eight foreign routes and domestic routes available to travelers that include over one hundred countries.
Harbin is a city with a wonderful history, unlimited investment opportunities and breathtaking attractions such as Zhaolin Park, the Taiyang Island and the Harbin Zoo. Visitors to the city should definitely attend the Ice Show that features spectacular ice sculptures and carvings.
