Harbin is less developed than Beijing or Shanghai and public law and order is much the same. People from Dongbei are known to be extremely heavy drinkers and are easily provoked into violent fights if annoyed. While this may not directly involve you, if you are as a foreigner at the scene you could quickly find yourself becoming the next victim. Most trouble that people run into in Harbin revolves around drinking at the clubs in town. Harbin bars can be rough and there are many barfights on the weekends so be vigilant and don't let your guard down. As a general rule of thumb, don't go around stealing the girlfriend of a huge Russian guy or a Chinese mob boss. And don't go out alone!

• Fights are common in bars, and there have been reports of stabbings at night clubs. Don't expect the police to come to the rescue or even the bar security.
• Dress plenty warm during the winter months in order to avoid frostbite.
• As with any city in the developing world, be vigilant with your personal property and watch out for pick-pockets. Places like Zhongyang Dajie can become very congested.
• Avoid fish caught in the Songhua River as it was highly contaminated by benzyne in November 2005, which takes years to dissipate.

Avoid going into bath houses and KTV/Bars alone, as you may end up being forced to pay for a bill you didn't order via the threat of force. While the sex industry in Harbin is tamer than it was 10 years ago, it is still very developed and prevalent. If you choose to go into a bathhouse or KTV, be mindful of what you are getting into and leave at the first sight of any illegal activity. While the local police might not care about the Chinese, they tend to hold foreigners to higher standards. People interested in a "massage" with extras should probably avoid doing it in Harbin since it is much more underground and risky than in more developed cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Shenzhen. Anyone caught in the act may find themselves being overcharged and possibly arrested by the local police.

Hospitals and Emergency Contacts

• No. 1 Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 5 Youzheng St Nangang District, ☎ +86-451-364 1918, +86-451-360 7924, +86-451-364 1563.  
• No. 2 Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No.247, Xue Fu Rd Nangang District 150086, ☎ (0451) 666-2962. All doctors in Department No. 2 can assist foreigners.  
• Provincial Hospital, No. 82 Zhongshan Rd, Xiangfang District Harbin, Heilongjiang 150036, ☎ +86-451-566 2971.  
• US Consulate Shenyang 24 Emergency Hotline, ☎ 137-0988-9307.

Harbin is known for its cruel winter weather. Be sure to have adequate clothing and protect the extremities. Gloves, thick socks, scarves, and ear protections are a must.

If you are in Harbin for the long haul, try to get away to somewhere warm during the winter break such as Hainan or Thailand. Warm weather can do wonders for the soul. Also, an excursion to Beijing is a must for anyone staying in Harbin for any considerable amount of time.

Emergency & Most Commonly Used

Local Directory Assistance: 114
Fire: 119
Police: 110
Traffic Accident Reporting: 122
Weather Forecast: 121
Time Inquiry: 117
China Mobile Service Center: 10000 
China Unicom: 10010
China Netcom: 10060
China Mobile: 10086
China Tietong: 10050
China Satcom: 10070

Life & Maintenance

Complaints: 12315
Municipality 110: 0451-82520110
Municipal Gas Company: 0451-84214572
Electricity Repair: 0451-84662666
Water Repair: 0451-84813110
Gas Repair: 0451-84600821
Power Repair: 0451-84512788
Medicine Sending Tel: 0451-84690003
Tourist Complaints: 0451-53630431
Public Phone Complaints: 0451- 82655555
Gas Service Tel: 0451-84600000
Electricity Service: 0451-95598  
Water Supply Service: 0451-96303
Red Cross First-Aid Center: 0451-53636626
Emergency Room at the Children' s Hospital: 0451-84694915
Consumers' Association: 0451-12315

Railway, Aviation & Courier

Train Ticket Booking: 0451-53602828
Railway Ticket Center (24 hours): 0451-86432162
Railway Station Inquiry: 0451-86420115
Civil Airlines Inquiry: 0451-82894220
Civil Aviation Ticket Inquiry (24-hrs): 0451-82651188
Civil Aviation Freight Department: 0451-82642785
Long-distance Bus Station: 0451-53640770
Port Company: 0451-53640770
Shipping station of the Songhua River Shipping Bureau: 0451-88912653
Port Company Inquiry: 0451-84610907
Municipal Taxi Company: 0451-88381537
EMS Express (or Post Office) Service: 11185
China Railway Express: 95105366
ZJS Express: 0451-84315605
DHL: 800-810-8000

Finance

Bank of China: 0541-95566
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC): 0541-95588
China Bank of Construction: 0541-95533
Agricultural Bank of China: 0541-95599
Harbin Commercial Bank: 0541-96358
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank: 0541-95528
Bank of Communications: 0541-95559
China Merchants Bank: 0541-95555

Municipal Government Agencies

Mayor’s Hotline: 0451-84612345
Municipal Public Security Bureau: 0451-84616200
Trade and Economic Committee: 0451-82659832 
Economic and Technology Cooperation Committee: 0451-5633995 
Foreign Trade and Economic Group: 0451-55649210 
Agriculture Food Import-Export Company and Reclamation Bureau: 0451-55653757
Foreigner' s Exit & Entry Admin. Division Harbin, Public Security Bureau: 0451-87661613/ 87661435

Special Touring Regions:

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