A Short History of Harbin

Birthplace of the Qing Dynasty:

Historically separate from China, Manchuria became the seat of power when the Manchus invaded and took control of China, eventually becoming the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Russian Influence at the Turn of the Twentieth Century:

Russians played a big part of Harbin's recent history. Until 1896, Harbin was a fishing village on the banks of the Songhua River. However, the Qing Dynasty conceded a rail concession to the Russians who built a railroad from Vladivostok to Harbin and on to Dalian. Despite the Russians losing control of the railway to the Japanese after the Russo-Japanese War ended in 1905, Russian influence could be seen until the end of the World War II.

Japanese Occupation: Manchukuo Puppet State:
White Russians, fleeing the revolution in 1917 flocked to Harbin helping to create the largest Russian population outside the country. In 1932, the Japanese occupied Harbin under their domination of Manchuria (called Manchukuo under the Japanese) until 1945 when the Soviets took it. In 1946, Chiang Kai Shek and Stalin agreed to turn it over to the Chinese.

Harbin Today:

Largely industrial today, Russian influence is making a comeback. Due to its proximity, Russians come in droves for holidays in Harbin and you'll find the second language in Harbin isn't English, it's Russian.