Siberia Tiger Park:












Liger, a cross between a Lion and a Tiger.

Spent two fantastic days in Harbin, China. Far North Eastern China close to Mongolia and Russia. Very cold but we over dressed and we were too hot most of the time. Only our faces got cold. Bright sunshine first day then snow the second day.

We started off at the Tiger park. 600 Siberian tigers. Open areas where they are free to run and play sectioned off by fences into blocks. Plus many cages, that is a bit sad but with this many tigers I guess there is no other way. They alternate the time all the tigers have in the open areas. You drive through in a bus with heavy bars on the windows. Afterwards you can stroll the walkways over the tigers roaming areas. They are so big and all look very healthy.

They are certainly ensuring the survival of the species. We saw a tiger from the back of an elephant in India but these Siberian tigers are so much larger and really a beautiful animal. Hard to get good pictures but we were amazed at how many were in the open areas. Driving through in a bus pictures were hard to get.

They also had a liger, a cross between a lion and a tiger. He was HUGE, but obviously getting old he was well past his prime. He was in a cage and the guide said he stays inside most of the time. We were lucky he came out.

Next we went to the snow festival. Massive snow sculptures in a park setting. An annual competition with the awards a sculpture earned and where the team came from that worked on the carving. Entries from all the world. We drove in a little train to the end and then walked back. In the summer this must be a beautiful park. We saw children in the frozen river on sleds and all types of fun things for kids on the ice. The snow sculptures were truly amazing, ken will post a few pictures.

Then we went to the main attraction the ICE Festival. This cannot be explained. This is again a big park in the summer turned into a winter wonderland for the ice festival. Absolutely massive covering a large area with stunning beautiful creations built from ice blocks. As it gets dark they are all lit up in bright and pastel colors that creates an incredible atmosphere. Throughout the park are the ice sculptures from countries all around the world. Stunning examples of the artists imagination and creativity. It is hard to grasp the magnitude of how large and beautiful this ice exhibition really is and every year it is totally different. Ken will try to post pictures that will show what we experienced.

At both festivals the children were having a wonderful time. There are ice slides, and on the frozen lakes every way imaginable to play. Even bicycles on skis! There were very few people at the tiger park and snow festival as we were at the very end of the two months that these attractions are open. More people at the nighttime Ice festival but still not crowded.

Harbin surprised us as we expected a dismal Chinese city with old buildings and no reason to go there except for the ice festival. Instead we found a city full of unique buildings, open areas with sculptures and an obvious effort to make the city appealing and attractive. The lakefront area is wide and delightful with attractive small restaurants and shops and large trees. Central street is full of so many types of architecture fun to wander this area.

The last thing we visited was a Russian town that has been Reconstructured and is full of very large and ornate buildings. Each building is unique and in a classic Russian style. Some are people's homes and they spend the summer here. It had just snowed and it was like a scene he out of the movies about wealthy Russia at its peak. Again a frozen lake and a big area. Ken will post some pictures.

We were absolutely exhausted after these two days of touring. Should have worn my fit bit cannnot imagine how much I walked but my feet are talking to me right now.

In Shanghai after shopping the afternoon away and eating at our favorite Shanghai restaurant, Goodfellas Italian - yummy!
One more day to shop and we fly home on Saturday.

Harbin Snow Festival:

What an amazing trip you've had! The Siberian tigers are gorgeous. I'd never heard of a Liger before. The snow festival looks beautiful too. Love all of Ken's photos and so happy you shared them with us.

Harbin Ice Festival:






Billy, our guide & Ngaire.








Ngaire & a Snow Fox.

Link below to a video.

https://ngaire.smugmug.com/Other/POSTING/i-HxXbTBg/A

Wow! Bucket list gets longer and longer! My brother in law threatened for years to get a Liger, now I actually know someone who has seen one in person. The snow fox looks like a pretty content little guy. Good shopping and safe travels home.
---------------
Helen

Late here now the second day at the Russian village tomorrow.

What a magical experience. And the music in the video added to it. Love the photos.

WOW I can't wait to go next year! Love, love, love the snow fox

20 yuan to hold the fox, about $3. Worth every penny. The fox was very calm not like the lion Cubs I have held in the past. Ken is working on pictures from the Russian Village now.

Spent the day shopping bought six new tops and of course inevitably I buy more pearls. For those that were with me on the last trip to Shanghai the pearl market in West Shanghai has been refurbished and is now full of shops. Almost empty on our last trip. Ready for a visit in March of 2019 on our Shanghai to Tokyo regent cruise.

We found an incredible bakery in the expat area around the pearl market. Bought a caramel pastry and a custard and red cherry puff pastry. Talk about delicious.

Looking forward to going home tomorrow so I can get back to a regular diet. A little weight gain over the last few months. Plus Frolic will be happening pretty soon.

Harbin - Central Street, Saint Sofia Church, Volga Russian Vilage:


Central Street.


It was lightly snowing.


Saint Sofia Church.




Volga Village.

Thanks for posting these photos and the descriptions of your visit. It looks really interesting.

WOW!!!!! Amazing photos!

Wow, just Wow! The scenery is incredible and those gorgeous animals.....cannot imagine what it would be like to experience this!

Wow, these pix blew me away! Thanks for sending, because I doubt I'll ever be able to pass that way!

Gorgeous photos!