Central Street ( Zh ngy ngd ji ) is a pedestrian-only cobblestone street more than a kilometer (about a mile) long lined with stores, restaurants, old architecture dating from the Russian era, and malls. Central Street was part of the original town built by the Russians about 110 years ago. It was first called Chinese Street. You ll find some shops with Russian products, international restaurants, and two megamarkets, Walmart and the French Carrefour, that are located at the end of Central Street. The street is said to be the prettiest street in Harbin, and during the winter you can enjoy a dog sled or a horse sled ride. It is an easy shopping and dining highlight in the area.
Central Street was first built in 1898. First called "Chinese Street", in 1925 the name was changed to "Central Street" and it gradually developed into the busiest commercial street in Harbin. It begins from the Songhua River Flood Monument in the north and concludes at to Jinwei Street in the south. There are 71 European-style and simulated European-style buildings on the street as well as 13 city-level protected buildings. These buildings are in various styles, such as Renaissance and Baroque as well as modern styles, making the street a rare "Architectural Art Gallery" in China. The street gives the sense of European and Russian order to the city center. It has become a bright spot of Harbin because of its unique European-style feature, long lines of edifice, masses of entertainment areas, and colorful cultural life.
Nowadays, with a total length of 1,450 meters (1,586 yards), the Central Street reflects a variety of European style buildings. In total, there are 71 works, some of which are replicas reflecting the European style of architecture. Examples of the Renaissance through to the Baroque Period as well as the Eclecticism to the Modern School can be seen in 13 of these buildings.
The present Jiaoyu Bookstore (Education Bookstore) is the biggest form of Baroque architecture in Harbin and also the mark of the Central Street. The Mod-Er Hotel (formerly the Modern Hotel) and the Daoliqiulin Shop, built in 1906 and 1919 respectively, are fine examples of Art Nouveau architecture. The Fuer Shop (Women and Children's Shop) in 1917 was the former Xiehe Bank. This building reflects classic Renaissance architecture. There are many other exotic and appealing constructions there. All of them are well preserved and continuously play an important role in people's daily life.
The Central Street is a junction where both Harbin's modern and historical civilizations can be seen. It interprets the city perfectly and has witnessed the most brilliant European cultural development for 300 years.
As one of the longest pedestrian streets in Asia, whenever visitors come there, it will open up to them its charming vistas with its profound culture. It has been a comprehensive recreational place combining tourist pleasure with shopping excitement, and annually attracts thousands of visitors.
How to get there:
Take Bus 1, Bus 2, Bus 8, Bus 12, Bus 13, Bus 15, Bus 16, Bus 20, Bus 23, Bus 64, Bus 85, Bus 101, Bus 102, Bus 103, Bus 113, and Bus 114 to the Central Street or the Youyi Road.