Stalin Park (Sidalin Gongyuan), originally known as Riverside Park, is a 1,750-meter-long open riverside promenade stretching along the southern bank of the Songhua River, from the Songhua River Railway Bridge eastward to Jiuzhan Park. Built in 1953 to commemorate the people of Harbin who overcame the catastrophic floods of 1932 and 1957, the park was rebuilt after the historic 1998 flood and now covers 105,000 square meters as a belt-shaped open public space, with over 50% green coverage from nearly 5,000 trees including mountain ash, apricot, pine, and cypress, complemented by colorful flower beds throughout.

The Flood Control Monument: Symbol of a Hero City

At the heart of the park stands the Harbin People's Flood Control Victory Monument, built in 1958 and designed by Soviet architect Batis Zyelyev together with Harbin Institute of Technology architect Li Guangyao. The 22.5-meter granite tower, with its seven-meter-high Roman-style colonnade of 20 Corinthian columns, bears water level markings for both the 1932 flood (altitude 119.72 meters) and the 1957 flood (altitude 120.30 meters). Relief carvings on the tower depict the entire flood-fighting saga—from oath-taking at the levee to earth-hauling, emergency rescue, and victory celebration. The monument serves as the symbolic gateway between Central Street and the Songhua River.

As of August 2026, a major upgrade and renovation project for the Flood Control Monument has entered the design bidding phase, including stone repairs to the tower body and base walls, replacement of 150 stone blocks, repair of 200 square meters of the platform walls, and replacement of 3,525 square meters of plaza paving tiles, along with new leisure seating and upgraded landscape lighting across the surrounding area.

Stalin Park Starlight Concert: Harbin's New Summer Music Landmark

In a significant development for summer 2026, the park has become home to the Stalin Park Starlight Concert (星光音乐会), a nightly free outdoor music event launched by the Daoli District Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Located at the core riverside area near Tongjiang Street, the stage faces the Songhua River directly, with a romantic design featuring moon-shaped installations and starry lighting woven through the trees. Since June 27, 2026, concerts run daily from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, featuring healing folk music and soft pop performances. The event is entirely free to the public and is designed for visitors to stroll along the riverbank, sit on the ground, and enjoy music amid the evening breeze—part of Harbin's "Charming Harbin Summer" cultural tourism initiative.

​

Winter Wonderland: Ice, Snow, and Adventure

In winter, Stalin Park transforms into a key venue of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. The park features a 1,600-meter snow sculpture art corridor that seamlessly blends ice and snow art with photo-friendly experiences. Snow sculptures along the promenade depict mythical creatures, Russian-style churches, snow swans, Siberian tigers, and abstract forms—softer and more artistic than the grand ice buildings of Ice and Snow World.

Combined with the Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival, which won a Guinness World Record as the largest outdoor ice park, visitors can enjoy more than 60 ice and snow activities including the Super Ice Slide, snowmobile rides, ice bikes, and horse-drawn sleds. The frozen Songhua River, reaching one-meter ice thickness, becomes a natural sports center where locals and tourists alike enjoy ice skating, ice hockey, and even winter swimming.

​

Practical Information

-Address: No. 3 Sidalin Road, Daoli District, Harbin (at the northern end of Central Street)

-Opening Hours: Open 24 hours year-round; free admission

-Getting There: Metro Line 2 to Flood Control Monument Station (exit leads directly to the riverside); bus routes 13, 47 to the riverbank

-Best Time to Visit: Summer for riverside strolls, evening concerts, and boat rides (ferry to Sun Island ¥2, sightseeing boats ¥10–30); Winter (January–February) for snow sculptures, ice activities, and the Ice and Snow Carnival

-Nearby Attractions: Central Street (adjacent), Flood Control Monument (central), Songhua River Sightseeing Cableway (¥60), Sun Island (ferry accessible)

Whether you come for a summer evening of free riverside music, a winter walk among snow sculptures, or simply to stand before the Flood Control Monument and feel the pulse of this hero city, Stalin Park offers an experience that captures the essence of Harbin in every season.