Harbin Sun Island Park Nestled on the northern bank of the Songhua River, a UNESCO-recognized National 5A Scenic Area spanning 38 square kilometers, stands as Harbin’s premier natural and cultural oasis, ideal for conference attendees seeking relaxation and exploration in August. The park blends scenic beauty with diverse experiences: wander through the Suzhou-style Water Pavilion Cloud Sky, interact with playful squirrels on Squirrel Island, and step into the 19th-century Russian architectural world at the Russian-style Town, where cultural workshops and tea ceremonies await. Beat the summer heat with cool activities like paddleboating on Sun Lake or cycling through shaded trails, and don’t miss the year-round Ice and Snow Art Gallery, where you can marvel at ice sculptures in provided warm coats. Conveniently accessible by metro, bus, or scenic ferry, the park offers free entry to its main areas (with separate tickets for special zones), multilingual signage, and rental electric carts for easy exploration. August brings the Charming Harbin Summer Festival, filling the island with jazz concerts and art exhibitions, while lush greenery and blooming flowers create a picturesque backdrop for nature lovers.

Saint Sophia Church Standing majestically in the heart of Harbin, the Saint Sophia Church is a timeless symbol of the city’s rich cultural fusion and a must-visit for conference attendees. Built in 1907 as a Russian Orthodox Church, this Byzantine-style masterpiece features a gold-domed roof, intricate brick carvings, and emerald-green onion domes, making it one of China’s most iconic architectural landmarks. Renovated into the Harbin Architecture Art Museum in 1997, the church now showcases a century of Harbin’s history through exhibits on colonial architecture, cultural exchanges, and urban development.

Central Street (Zhongyang Street) Stretching 1.4 kilometers through Harbin’s downtown, Central Street (Zhongyang Street) is a vibrant pedestrian boulevard and an open-air museum of early 20th-century architecture, featuring 71 protected historic buildings in styles ranging from Baroque to Russian Eclectic, tracing its roots back to a 1898 Russian commercial hub. For conference attendees, it offers a seamless blend of historical exploration and modern enjoyment: admire the Art Deco facade of the century-old Madier Hotel (home to its iconic preservative-free ice cream since 1906), step into the Russian Orthodox-inspired Education Bookstore for a café visit, and savor Harbin’s unique fusion cuisine—from Russian borscht at Madier Restaurant to chewy bread and street food like grilled squid. Boutique stores offer Russian nesting dolls and amber jewelry, while evening brings warm lighting, street performances, and the aroma of waffles, enhancing the “Paris of the East” ambiance. Conveniently accessible by metro Line 2 or bus, the street is fully pedestrianized, with August’s mild 20–25°C weather ideal for daytime architectural tours and evening strolls, connecting effortlessly to the nearby Saint Sophia Church and Songhua River waterfront for a complete cultural experie