| Harbin is the capital city of Heilongjiang province, | | | | have recently become more available. You can see |
| China`s most North-easterly province. The province | | | | that the list is mostly minor things. |
| has a population of 39 million and Harbin`s population is | | | | Antiperspirant (limited brands) |
| officially 10 million with about 4 million living in the city | | | | Good shoes (large sizes are rare, prices are similar to |
| proper, making Harbin one of China`s 10 largest cities. | | | | home, quality often low) |
| As the Province`s largest city and capital, Harbin`s | | | | Essential prescription medications |
| economy is largely white collar, servicing the primarily | | | | Good quality socks |
| agricultural and heavy industry bases of the rest of the | | | | English books or novels |
| province. | | | | Mandarin phrase book (dictionaries available but travel |
| Harbin is a more traditional city than the major cities of | | | | phrase books are rare) |
| southern China since it has not been westernized as | | | | A laptop if you have one. You`ll find it useful and they |
| much. However, Harbin is a more developed city than | | | | are expensive here. |
| most westerners expect of China. Anything that you | | | | What Not to Bring |
| would expect to find in stores, in the West, can usually | | | | A lot of books: bring only a few, they are heavy. |
| be found here. In general the only exceptions are | | | | Though you won`t have much free time in your training |
| some particular spices or certain brand names. | | | | month, we have a small library of books and novels. |
| Harbin has most forms of entertainment and sporting | | | | Full desk-top computer: too bulky. If you are planning on |
| locations. However western activities such as squash, | | | | staying for a while, you could leave your monitor and |
| swimming, or bowling are expensive by local | | | | case at home and only pack the internal cards. A new |
| standards. Most Chinese parties or celebrations are | | | | case and used monitor will have you up and running |
| held in restaurants, which often have private rooms | | | | here at little cost. You can also buy a full system here |
| with karaoke. Some western-style bars/clubs are | | | | for about the same price as in the West. |
| available but they also tend to come with western | | | | Tons of clothes: Most teachers buy so many clothes |
| prices. There is no shortage of movies to watch. All of | | | | here, due to low prices, that they end up leaving nearly |
| the latest movies are available by buying or renting | | | | everything they brought with them, when they go |
| DVDs. They are very inexpensive. | | | | home. |
| As a northern city, Harbin has similar weather to the | | | | 110 Volt Electronic equipment: the power is 220 and |
| Canadian Prairies or American Midwest. The summer | | | | power converters usually don`t last. As a result, you |
| is usually 20 to 35 C (68 to 95 F) and the winter -10 to | | | | will burn out your equipment. Besides, electronics are |
| -30 C (+14 to -22 F). During the winter, Harbin has an | | | | usually cheap here. If you have an MP3 player or other |
| ice festival, which is the city`s most well-known tourist | | | | equipment that uses an adapter, you can buy a new |
| attraction. | | | | adapter here that will convert directly from the 220 to |
| Westerners are not common in Harbin. There are | | | | your appliance requirements. Note: Laptops, cameras |
| usually about 300-400 westerners here with about half | | | | and video cameras, etc. usually accept both 110 and |
| being students. There are also usually several hundred | | | | 220. (See the power cord of the device to make |
| Russians in town on shopping trips. Therefore, | | | | sure.) |
| non-Chinese tend to stand out in a crowd. If you are | | | | Apartment supplies: kitchen supplies etc. are provided |
| shy to be noticed, Harbin is not the place for you. | | | | during your training month and are available cheaply. |
| Cost of Living | | | | Things that would be illegal: drugs, pornography, etc. |
| The average income in Harbin is about 1,000 RMB and | | | | Things for distribution: bringing religious or political |
| the cost of living is lower than other cities. Therefore | | | | material, that the government might disagree with, |
| most people earning over 1,000 consider it to be a | | | | should not be a problem as long as you are not |
| good income. For food and basic shopping, a person | | | | bringing quantities to distribute. |
| can live comfortably on 1,000. However, most | | | | Meats, vegetables etc. that would break quarantine |
| foreigners spend more than that because they tend to | | | | laws. |
| buy more imported goods and eat more frequently in | | | | Pets: the time, money, and paperwork required to bring |
| restaurants including McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC. | | | | an animal into China are extensive. |
| Therefore, if you want to save money for travel or to | | | | Money and Banking |
| send back home, you should be able to save a good | | | | Do not plan on using your bank card or credit cards in |
| portion of your salary, depending on how native you | | | | Harbin. Although a few of the large hotels accept |
| want to live. | | | | credit cards, most places do not. However, the credit |
| A sample of costs, in RMB: average restaurant meal | | | | cards may come in handy if you visit southern cities. |
| 10-20/person, bottle of beer 2 in shops or restaurants | | | | There is one bank where you may be able to make |
| 20 in bars, bus fare 1-2, taxi 9 first 3 km (10 or less to | | | | withdrawals using your bank card but deposits are not |
| most places), sleeper train to Beijing 300-450 one-way | | | | permitted. |
| (8 to 12 hours depending on train). Clothes are much | | | | You should arrange to have internet access to your |
| cheaper than in the west and there are great tailors | | | | accounts so that if you need access you can access |
| too. | | | | them that way. |
| What to Bring | | | | You should bring US$ cash if you want the best |
| If you are coming to Harbin to live or study your | | | | exchange rates. Japanese yen and HK$ also get a |
| TESOL Course, below is a list of things that are hard | | | | good exchange, other currencies can be exchanged |
| to find here. Like most of China, Harbin is quickly | | | | but will get a lower rate. Likewise, travelers cheques |
| developing its stock of Western products and | | | | will also yield a lower rate. |
| services. Therefore, some of the things on the list may | | | | |