“Harbin is called Paris of the Orient...” (1926)
Image: ebay.com
Our friend pointed out this curious letter sent to Shanghai in 1926; its author was pleasantly impressed with Harbin:
“Harbin is called the “Paris” of the Orient, and it is quite a gay place. Mostly Russians, and it seems more like a European city than a city in China. The Russians are such temperamental people, and they love excitement, music, dancing and any gaiety. So there are plenty of theatres, dance halls, concerts, restaurants etc in Harbin. And about every nationality in the world are here. I just love to sit in the hotel lobby and watch the people go by. Nowhere in the world do the White and Red Russians meet on the same basis, and of course politically, Harbin is a very interesting place. However, I really don’t think much of some of the Russians, and they certainly are not a dependable race.”
Summer in Harbin. Image: internet.