Cobblestoned Street of Zhongyang Street 中央街 in Haerbin 哈尔宾
Zhongyang Street in Haerbin is probably one of the better made pedestrian shopping streets in China. I loved how the street is just wide enough to accomodate the throngs of visitors it receives each day. This gives it that small town feel which was perfect for the European inspired architecture which the buildings along the street have. Although there were a lot of people somehow it didn’t feel crowded at all. The crowd wasn’t even the irritating type of crowd, it seems like everyone there was just there to enjoy the street.
Zhongyang Street 中央街 at Night
Even the suspicious characters were nowhere to be found here in Zhongyang Street. Maybe I was just unable to spot them, though I think I already know how they behave based on what I have seen in Shanghai. There were no touts either, after all, much to there is to see in Haerbin is for free, its magnificent cathedrals and this very street. All of these combine to give the visit to Zhongyang Street a pleasant experience. That is until you here the loud music coming from the shops that line the street, but that is already a given. It was my last night in Haerbin, and part of me already wishes that I don’t have to leave.
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