The city has been through some really rough times in recent history, from turbulent wars and despotic regimes to some of the worst flooding ever witnessed. Many of the sights in and around Harbin reflect this, of particular interest being the twin sad sights of the Japanese Germ Warfare Experimental Base just out of town and the Stalin Park/Flood Control Monument on the southern bank of the Songhua river.

However the city has also known good times and the Russian architecture here is testament to a period when the town, also known as Little Moscow, was in economic boom. The best of these sights would have to be the St.Sofia Orthodox Church, which is located in the nicest area of town, the northwestern Daoli District with its cobbled streets and solid facades.