Named for Russia's Volga River, Volga Manor was originally built in 1899, but, sadly, what remains are merely replicas of the original buildings. Still, they display some of the Russian opulence that existed in turn-of-the-20th-century Harbin. The Manor is 600,000 square meters of rural land on the banks of the Ashi River in what is now Harbin's Xiangfan District south-southeast of the city center, and consists of around 30 buildings ranging from palaces (such as the Petrov Palace) to churches (such as St. Nicholas Church) to simple houses. There is a salon dedicated to the Russian poet Pushkin and a chateau where one can share in the glories of vodka.
People have different reasons for visiting Volga Manor. Events are held from time-to-time in the Petrov Palace, which also has a room dedicated to wood carvings. Some visit to pay homage to the poet Pushkin, others to pay homage to vodka, still others simply want to enjoy the scenery. I went to see St Nicholas Church, which is now (like Harbin's more-famous St. Sophia) a museum. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and children - I was once a child and I was once a sailor; so, St. Nicholas has particular meaning for me. The church itself was destroyed during that vile and contemptible black mark on China's history known as the Cultural Revolution, but was restored in 2007 (like, apparently, the rest of Volga Manor). Regardless of your reasons for visiting, Volga Manor is one of the must-see places in Harbin.
To get to Volga Manor, you really need to take a car or a number of buses as the metro rail doesn't go down that far south (as of this writing, there's really only one operating metro rail line and that runs from Harbin West Train Station to Harbin East Train Station). Contrary to what some travel sites claim, Volga Manor is decidedly NOT near Central Street, the city center, or anywhere else. Other than the Volga Hotel at the entrance to Volga Manor, the closest hotel is a Sheraton that's 12 kilometers from there. Didi, China's version of Uber and Lyft, is going to be your best option unless you know someone local who has a car. Travel sites like Tripadvisor advertise tours, but even the car service offered there is insanely expensive; so, I wouldn't recommend going through travel sites. The entrance fee to Volga Manor is 100 RMB (13.3 Euros or just under 15 US dollars as of this writing) and includes a free shot of vodka (served in a shot glass made of ice) at the vodka chateau.
Volga Manor today can best be described as a theme park pointing to and celebrating part of Harbin's turn-of-the-20th-century Russian past. It's a nice get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and is one of the must-see-places in Harbin.
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