Roaming the World (1527) Journey to Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia, Part 27 - Stalin Park
In late June 2021, during a trip to Heilongjiang, I visited Stalin Park in Harbin. The picture shows the landmark stone tablet of Stalin Park.
Stalin Park was built in 1953 and was originally called "Riverside Park". Located on the south bank of the Songhua River in the city, it stretches from the Songhua River Railway Bridge in the east to Jiuzhan Park in the west, covering a total length of 1,750 meters. It is a strip-shaped open park built along the embankment and river, facing the world-famous "Sun Island" scenic area across the river, covering an area of 105,000 square meters. Photo taken at Stalin Park.
Stalin Park is renowned both at home and abroad for its imitation of Russian classical architectural style, the colorful "five-color grass flower beds" scattered throughout the park, and various artistic sculptures distributed among the green spaces. The picture shows one of the artistic sculptures in Stalin Park.
In the early 20th century, as the port area (now Daoli Old District) became a commercial district, more and more Chinese and foreign tourists came to the riverside and Sun Island for sightseeing, excursions, and summer retreats. Successive authorities began to pay attention to the construction of riverside gardens. Photo taken at Stalin Park.
First, the Chinese Eastern Railway authorities dismantled some railway lines, repaired the embankment surface, and greened the riverbank. Subsequently, Russian businessmen built the "Yadao Gulubu"水上餐厅 (Water Restaurant) by the river (now the Railway River Club). By 1924, delicate Russian-style cold drink pavilions and kiosks appeared on the bank, followed by the addition of some Russian sculpture art pieces, such as Russian maidens and polar bears. The picture shows the Railway River Club in Stalin Park.
In 1938, the Japanese puppet authorities officially designated the riverside as "Riverside Park", expanding the gardens and increasing plant varieties. After liberation, especially after successfully overcoming the catastrophic flood in 1957, the government carried out a large-scale renovation of the original park and renamed it Stalin Park. Photo taken at Stalin Park.
Stalin Park absorbed the style of European gardens and improved upon it, possessing the same simplicity and grandeur as the people of the north, standing out among the numerous parks in the country with its unique charm. The flower beds, statues, lawns, benches, round lamps, railings, and Russian classical toy-style buildings are novel and distinctive, forming a fairy-tale world. The picture shows the flower beds in Stalin Park.
Stalin Park centers on the "Flood Control Memorial Tower".
The Flood Control Memorial Tower was built to commemorate the people of Harbin overcoming two major floods.
In front of the base of the Flood Control Memorial Tower, there are two layers of pools. The upper pool marks the highest water level of the 1957 flood at 120.30 meters, and the lower pool marks the highest water level of the 1932 flood at 119.72 meters. The water level marking line above the pools marks the highest water level of the 1998 flood at 120.89 meters.
The Flood Control Memorial Tower is famous for its Russian classical architectural style and is also a symbol of Harbin.
A commemorative photo I took in front of the Flood Control Memorial Tower.
A flower bed built in front of the Flood Control Memorial Tower to celebrate July 1st (Party Founding Day).
The Flood Control Memorial Tower photographed through the flower bed.
Tourists amidst a sea of flowers.
A flower bed built to celebrate July 1st.
Inside Stalin Park, lush green grass and rows of tall trees provide shade for visitors.
One of the artistic sculptures in Stalin Park.
There are many spontaneously organized small bands in Stalin Park.
One of the artistic sculptures in Stalin Park.
By the Songhua River, some people are swimming.
On the Songhua River, some people are boating.
A Russian-style kiosk inside Stalin Park.
A giant sofa in front of Swan Castle for tourists to take photos.
There is a Swan Castle next to Stalin Park.
A carousel in front of Swan Castle.
Swan Castle is the starting station of the river-crossing cable car.
Inside Swan Castle, there is a Russian Culture and Art Museum.
Bust of Pushkin in the Russian Culture and Art Museum.
Bust of Tolstoy in the Russian Culture and Art Museum.
Bust of Tchaikovsky in the Russian Culture and Art Museum.
Bust of Repin in the Russian Culture and Art Museum.
There is also a duty-free shop in the Russian Culture and Art Museum.
There is also a duty-free shop in the Russian Culture and Art Museum.
You can also enjoy authentic Russian cuisine at Stalin Park. The picture shows the Modern Waterfront Restaurant.
Songhua River cross-river cable car.
A photography studio by the Songhua River.
Sightseeing boats on the Songhua River.
One of the artistic sculptures in Stalin Park.
The Railway River Club was built in 1912, with a total area of 5,000 square meters. It originally focused on yachting, and later entertainment facilities were continuously expanded, leading to its current scale. The club's location is also very favorable, nestled between hills and water. With its European classical interior style, as well as its delightful terraces and viewing pavilions, it is warmly sought after by people.
There are many spontaneously organized small bands in Stalin Park.
On the wide and clear Songhua River, a gentle breeze blows, and small boats float lightly.
There are many spontaneously organized small bands in Stalin Park.
There are many spontaneously organized dance teams in Stalin Park.
There is a ferry terminal to Sun Island in Stalin Park.
There are many people exercising in Stalin Park.
There are many spontaneously organized dance teams in Stalin Park.
In its early days, Stalin Park was also a filming location for many movies and TV series, including "Black Triangle", "Harbin Under the Night", "Church Street Story", "Tree Rings", and others. Photo taken at Stalin Park.
After finishing our visit to Stalin Park, we went to Harbin West Railway Station, ending this trip to Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia.
