The Volga Manor
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The name Volga maybe always remind people of the Europe's longest river flowing through central Russia and Russian Vodka Wine. Thus a manor called Volga is taken for granted that it was something with Russia. Actually, the Volga Manor offers a glimpse of charming Russian pastoral scene in North China Harbin.
Covering 0.6 million of square meters, Volga Manor is a Russian-style forest garden located about 29 km from St. Sophia Square in small town called Chenggaozi. The Volga Manor itself is beautiful. A small meandering Ashihe river flows smoothly through the woody garden park, leave an area of mudflat wet land by side for wild animals. Castle stands among the wood by the river, timber bridge cross the river is convenient for walking around.
Visitors will feel like them were not in China with the Russian music playing on the background. The Manor itself has hotel, restaurant, ten banya/Russian sauna and also there's a Russian dance show every 11 am and 4 pm so it's best for you to visit Volga Manor during these times.
It has also St. Nicholas Art Gallery and the architecture design sampled the original St. Nicholas Cathedral that was destroyed during Cultural Revolution in Harbin. Overall, it's very beautiful place if you would like to visit Russia without crossing border and another visa.
Reviews from some trip advisors:
Nice quaint village - I was there during winter so lots of snow. Most of the tourist shops weren't open so it's vr quiet except for tourist wondering around taking pix of the Russian style houses. They have the longest ice slide which was fun. The hotel was old fashioned but nice and clean. In all I wouldn't mind going back again in few years time.
Travel Tips:
1) By bus: If go by bus, you need to take a taxi to Tongxiang Store,then take bus 340 or 377 to Chenggaozi, then transfer to bus 377 suburb Sanjiazi line to Volga Manor. To go by bus is very cheap,but it seems complicated, especially for non-Chinese people since it's hard to communicate if we don't speak Mandarin at all.
2) By taxi: but I was told by my friend that it's hard to get taxi from Volga Manor since it's located far-off the crowd. You might asked the taxi driver to get back or waiting in front of the Volga Manor but I think it would be difficult too since you have to explain that to Taxi Driver
3) Rent a car, finally I rent a car (with english speaking driver) and costs 600 RMB for 8 hours or 80 km usage.
Location:
Chenggaozi Town, Xiangfang District, Harbin 150039, China
Open hours:
9:00-18:00; visit for 2-3 hours
Bus:
No. 340 and No. 8 from Tongxiang Mall in Xiangfang District, then change to No. 8 & 3 at Chenggaozi Town.
