Harbin, China

tigerstyle

tigerstyle

tigerstyle

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Anyone every been to Harbin, in north north north China (basically Russia!)

I'm due to go there in a few weeks, and thinking about what to expect weather wise, BBC weather doesn't paint a pretty picture, nor do my temperature histograms, less than 5°C for 50% of the year anyone? :eek:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/1357

what do you wear to beat those temps, I'll be working outside to doing surveying work, so not hidding in a nice office :(
 
Temperatures across China are getting warmer and should be bearable/comfortable by February. I am part Russian and family in Siberia says its -28 to -34 most days. But that's Russia.
But good news for you, there's hardly any wind so it takes some of the bite out of it in Harbin.
This is what you should do: get thermals (top and bottom), wear jeans all the time, cotton track suit bottoms over that with wind proof/water proof trousers over them as well. T-shirt, jumper and thick coat with some thick socks and gore-tex boots and you're good to go.
Unless you're walking around too much leave out the track suit bottoms; you'll get sweaty and that will be counter productive.
If you go in March and late February you should check the forecasts again because it will be warmish. China has short winters but their painfully cold. Spring comes very early and from Feb 14th its their Spring Festival so the country stops for a week. You'll love it.

Oh forgot to mention, as soon as you get there; get your hands on a fur hat. Like the ones your stereotypical Russian wears. Make sure its rabbit but it doesn't really matter but rabbit it good. Shouldn't cost you more than 150 RMB (£13.50) in Harbin. Imagine wearing a greenhouse on your head, that's what that's like. Everyone in Harbin wears one and as a rule of thumb - what ever a Chinaman does, you copy him! They know best so it wouldn't hurt.
 
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Looking forward to rocking a fur hat, can it sport a Soviet badge on the front or is that rude? ( I don't mind being a little rude but don't want to get locked up...)
 
They will love you if if you wear anything do with communism. You're going to China remember! Pretend to denounce as many western countries as well as Taiwan and Japan for bonus points. You'll fit right in.
 
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thepedster said:
what do you wear to beat those temps
Click to expand...

One of these:

elephant20thong.jpg
 
I was there very briefly for the ice festival last year - yeah, it's cold. But I was living in Dalian, where it was -17C anyway at times, so already had the requisite layer and thermals. Long johns and thermal undershirts helps, pile on layers, and get yourself some decent gloves too, as the wind can be biting. And, yeah, hat.

Huge Communist style green coats are quite popular too, and available for a fairly reasonable price in markets. Knee length, fur lined, padded - you look huge, but they work :)

Just found out my new speaking teacher's from Harbin actually. Fun place.
 
An ex of mine came from Harbin, she was stunning, the women tend to be tall slim model types that the women in the south of china are envious of.
 
I went a few years back. The week before we went it was in the -20 and below area. when we got there it was about -10 to -15. But yeah very cold. I remember losing the feeling in my jaw.

Coincidentally there is a travel series on National Geographic or Discovery about 2 brothers travelling round China, they were in Harbin last night's episode. Lost in China is the title.

Funniest thing I remember was the tour guide was taking us to a clothing store to get some winter clothing and his commission. He says to me arent you going to buy anything. (I'm standing there in my north face polar jacket, oakley snow pants and thinsulate boots). I show him my north face thermal long jons underneath my snow pants and said "nah, I'm ok." He proceeds to show me the knitted long jons he's wearing underneath his office trousers (wearing normal office shoes) and tells me his are better. :D I'm talking knitted woollen like the cardigans your gran used to knit.

But yeah its bloody cold out there.

^^Lol Robgmun, I'm sure you've dropped that fact about ur ex being from Harbin in previous posts:)
 
robgmun said:
An ex of mine came from Harbin, she was stunning, the women tend to be tall slim model types that the women in the south of china are envious of.
Click to expand...

Not all - my partner is from the south of China (Hunan) and is just a smidgen under 6 foot tall :eek:

(thankfully I'm just a smidgen over!)
 
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