Harbin Grand Theatre
Harbin Grand Theatre
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Theaters
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9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
35 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
7
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Edith B
45 contributions
Apr 2019
Beautiful modern architecture (MAD) seen from the outside, but it is worth taking a tour of the inside and see the magnificent wood work.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
liping
Perth, Australia2 contributions
May 2019
The Harbin Grand Theatre stands out with simple, eye catching curved lines. The curved facade and spiral stairs up and around the theatre are challenging for architects and builders.
Written June 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jedai79
Singapore, Singapore2,532 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Visited Harbin Grand Theatre (哈尔滨大剧院）on 11 May. We love architecture and this is definitely a gem. It was Harbin Theatre that brought us to Harbin. We love Architect Ma Yan Song's design for example, Harbin Grand Theatre and his Marilyn Monroe buildings in Canada.
After Siberian Tiger Park in the late morning and circus show in the early afternoon, we walked to the main road with the thought of taking a bus to Harbin Grand Theatre. However, due to hunger, we crossed the main road to Lü Zhou (绿洲）Condominium in search for food. It was the eatery owner who suggested we should just take a slow walk to the theatre because she said there was no bus that would take us to the venue directly. After alighting at the bus stop, we still had to walk.
As we strolled towards the Theatre, we came across a nice park on our left. Our hearts thumped as the theatre started to unfold itself before our eyes, we were totally awed by the spectacle. We took pictures of it from every perceivable angle. Harbin Grand Theatre was beautiful from each and every angle.
Had wanted to see the interior and experience how good the acoustics was, however, they only had Chinese comedy on those few days we were in Harbin. Orchestral performances were only available the following week when we would have already left Harbin and in Changchun, Shenyang and Dalian. What a pity?!
There is another park at the rear side of the theatre.
By the way, the building next to the theatre (Cultural Centre) seemed to be uncompleted and unoccupied.
Visit the theatre if you are also an architecture lover. Go for a play or an orchestral performance to see the interior and to "test" the acoustics. But we read that it will be tough to get a cab back to town when the performance ends at night.
We left the theatre and walked out to the main road at about 5 plus pm and managed to get a cab within 5 mins. On our way to Tiger Park, cab driver had wanted us to pay him an extra ¥35 for his waiting time, on top of metered fare. He said it would be difficult to get a cab to return to town and that there would be many 黑车（hei che - illegal cab drivers using their own private cars）. Well, he was proven wrong.
After Siberian Tiger Park in the late morning and circus show in the early afternoon, we walked to the main road with the thought of taking a bus to Harbin Grand Theatre. However, due to hunger, we crossed the main road to Lü Zhou (绿洲）Condominium in search for food. It was the eatery owner who suggested we should just take a slow walk to the theatre because she said there was no bus that would take us to the venue directly. After alighting at the bus stop, we still had to walk.
As we strolled towards the Theatre, we came across a nice park on our left. Our hearts thumped as the theatre started to unfold itself before our eyes, we were totally awed by the spectacle. We took pictures of it from every perceivable angle. Harbin Grand Theatre was beautiful from each and every angle.
Had wanted to see the interior and experience how good the acoustics was, however, they only had Chinese comedy on those few days we were in Harbin. Orchestral performances were only available the following week when we would have already left Harbin and in Changchun, Shenyang and Dalian. What a pity?!
There is another park at the rear side of the theatre.
By the way, the building next to the theatre (Cultural Centre) seemed to be uncompleted and unoccupied.
Visit the theatre if you are also an architecture lover. Go for a play or an orchestral performance to see the interior and to "test" the acoustics. But we read that it will be tough to get a cab back to town when the performance ends at night.
We left the theatre and walked out to the main road at about 5 plus pm and managed to get a cab within 5 mins. On our way to Tiger Park, cab driver had wanted us to pay him an extra ¥35 for his waiting time, on top of metered fare. He said it would be difficult to get a cab to return to town and that there would be many 黑车（hei che - illegal cab drivers using their own private cars）. Well, he was proven wrong.
Written May 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EugenKhv
Wells, ME22 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
This is very good attration in Harbin, and thats why! First of all, as the architecture is amazing, all people that i meet came to this teatre to wark they told thats this is the best place they ever been.
You can always buy tickets online and visit concerts of the world the most famous theatres or orchestras (UK Royal Orchestra, Russia Marinensky theatre and so on)
You can always buy tickets online and visit concerts of the world the most famous theatres or orchestras (UK Royal Orchestra, Russia Marinensky theatre and so on)
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elilyssar
Bundaberg, Australia151 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
The Harbin Grand Theatre opened mid 2016, and it has stunning architecture. If you are interested in modern buildings it is an absolute must-see. End 2017 the companion building which will eventually house a cultural museum was still being built. You can walk up the external stairs and around the building without a ticket, but you cannot go inside at all without a ticket. It is difficult to get to the site - not so many buses go there directly although it is possible to walk from the terminus of bus 29. The theatre is near the Tiger Park.
The above comments are for the architecture, below are my thoughts on seeing a show at the theatre:
We saw 2 shows, first was an opera by an Italian group, second was an Austrian Symphony Orchestra. Both times we had good seats, and both shows started at 7pm. There is no waiting room. When you arrive the only place outside of the freezing cold is the ticket office, so everyone congregates in there. There are no food or drinks available in that room. The theatre itself did not open its doors till about 6pm. We were shocked to discover that it is a dry venue - there is a shui ba (soft drink shop) and also a table set up with bread, cakes, tea and coffee for sale. The cakes were absolutely wonderful (30 yuan per piece). The theatre is an awesome place for people watching, be sure to check out some selfie posing and also people biting into plain whole loaves of bread directly out of the plastic.
The tickets state that inappropriate dress will not be allowed inside the theatre. We were concerned that our touristy clothes would not cut the mustard, but actually noone was dressed up at all. Plenty of ugg boots and trackies worn, and also most people wore their coats inside anyway. The first show we saw was the opera. It quickly became apparent that the sound quality is extremely poor. It was difficult to hear the lead male singer at all. The orchestra pit also seems too low - the sound was slightly muffled, and you could not see the players. The sound quality of the symphony orchestra performance was better - with the orchestra placed on stage. The opera went for FOUR hours, including 3 intermissions. This meant that the show ended at 11pm, and there were no taxis waiting (except one that refused to take us). The only option for us was to pay for a ride with a local family. If you can organise private transport this is your best option. The orchestra finished at about 9:30 with a more sensible single intermission, and there were plenty of taxis available. Be prepared to have to negotiate an off-meter fee, and also to share your ride with other passengers.
Western visitors will be shocked at the behaviour of the other guests, especially given the cost of the tickets. Actually sir, the surtitles for the opera (in Italian and Mandarin) are not there for karaoke. And no, you should not have taken that phone call in the middle of the performance. And if you are so bold as to take video (forbidden) during the performance, wait till you get outside to listen to it play back! Noone turns up on time and they are allowed to come in late, people tap, people talk, read their phones, and everyone insists on taking photos/videos which results in staff shining a red laser light at the phone till the offender reluctantly lowers their device (for a few minutes anyway). It also stings a little when people who enter the hall with cheap seats scramble down into more expensive seats as soon as they see they are available. Apart from shining the laser on phones taking video/photo, the ushers don't intervene with any of the bad behaviour.
If you are a serious, sincere music connoisseur, I would proceed with caution. If you are just interested in checking it out, then maybe the disappointment at the sound and the behaviour will be less if you buy some of the cheaper tickets (different prices for different seats and shows, we saw some from 80-680 yuan).
The above comments are for the architecture, below are my thoughts on seeing a show at the theatre:
We saw 2 shows, first was an opera by an Italian group, second was an Austrian Symphony Orchestra. Both times we had good seats, and both shows started at 7pm. There is no waiting room. When you arrive the only place outside of the freezing cold is the ticket office, so everyone congregates in there. There are no food or drinks available in that room. The theatre itself did not open its doors till about 6pm. We were shocked to discover that it is a dry venue - there is a shui ba (soft drink shop) and also a table set up with bread, cakes, tea and coffee for sale. The cakes were absolutely wonderful (30 yuan per piece). The theatre is an awesome place for people watching, be sure to check out some selfie posing and also people biting into plain whole loaves of bread directly out of the plastic.
The tickets state that inappropriate dress will not be allowed inside the theatre. We were concerned that our touristy clothes would not cut the mustard, but actually noone was dressed up at all. Plenty of ugg boots and trackies worn, and also most people wore their coats inside anyway. The first show we saw was the opera. It quickly became apparent that the sound quality is extremely poor. It was difficult to hear the lead male singer at all. The orchestra pit also seems too low - the sound was slightly muffled, and you could not see the players. The sound quality of the symphony orchestra performance was better - with the orchestra placed on stage. The opera went for FOUR hours, including 3 intermissions. This meant that the show ended at 11pm, and there were no taxis waiting (except one that refused to take us). The only option for us was to pay for a ride with a local family. If you can organise private transport this is your best option. The orchestra finished at about 9:30 with a more sensible single intermission, and there were plenty of taxis available. Be prepared to have to negotiate an off-meter fee, and also to share your ride with other passengers.
Western visitors will be shocked at the behaviour of the other guests, especially given the cost of the tickets. Actually sir, the surtitles for the opera (in Italian and Mandarin) are not there for karaoke. And no, you should not have taken that phone call in the middle of the performance. And if you are so bold as to take video (forbidden) during the performance, wait till you get outside to listen to it play back! Noone turns up on time and they are allowed to come in late, people tap, people talk, read their phones, and everyone insists on taking photos/videos which results in staff shining a red laser light at the phone till the offender reluctantly lowers their device (for a few minutes anyway). It also stings a little when people who enter the hall with cheap seats scramble down into more expensive seats as soon as they see they are available. Apart from shining the laser on phones taking video/photo, the ushers don't intervene with any of the bad behaviour.
If you are a serious, sincere music connoisseur, I would proceed with caution. If you are just interested in checking it out, then maybe the disappointment at the sound and the behaviour will be less if you buy some of the cheaper tickets (different prices for different seats and shows, we saw some from 80-680 yuan).
Written January 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Flymoo7
Shanghai, China12 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
My wife and I decided to visit the Harbin Grand Theatre during our short winter stay in the city, as we could see its silhouette from our window from across the river, and wanted to take a closer look at what we had been told was a futuristic, architectural marvel.
First impressions didn’t disappoint, it is a magnificent piece of modern architecture, in the same class as many other significant buildings from around the world, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao springs to mind.
The site is made up of 3 buildings; the main grand theatre, the museum of modern art and the box office, all set within their own space, and just a short car journey from the city. We spent a good hour exploring/climbing the exterior (entry to the interior was closed unfortunately), and would have stayed longer if it wasn’t so bitterly cold. The climb to the top of the building’s exterior viewing deck offered up some great views looking out across the river to the city beyond, and although I was quite taken with the overall design I have to say I was disappointed that the finished build quality wasn’t there. The building has only been up a couple of years and already feels like it’s falling into disrepair; with mis-aligned structural panels, and masonry that’s beginning to fall.
I can’t help but feel that this is due in part to the buildings under-use. When we arrived there was nothing open, except the box office building, appearing like a vacant shell, with no show itinerary, empty shelves and a personal that was nowhere to be seen. It’s only real use that I could tell was to offer visitors some brief respite from the outside cold.
I think if the management team were able to produce a full, year round agenda and developed a proper artistic vision for the site this could become a major venue in China for shows, concerts, gigs, youth theatre, events, opera, ballet, media launches etc. etc.....from all around the world. And with the city of Harbin on its doorstep and an urban population of 5 million plus, quite able to support such an outstanding building. I really hope this venue manages to get its act together (no pun intended), because as a piece of art it’s truly stunning and worth supporting for the future of the arts in China.
Go for the architecture, stay to catch a show (if there is one), and help support a venue that should be on most people’s concert going/architectural map.
First impressions didn’t disappoint, it is a magnificent piece of modern architecture, in the same class as many other significant buildings from around the world, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao springs to mind.
The site is made up of 3 buildings; the main grand theatre, the museum of modern art and the box office, all set within their own space, and just a short car journey from the city. We spent a good hour exploring/climbing the exterior (entry to the interior was closed unfortunately), and would have stayed longer if it wasn’t so bitterly cold. The climb to the top of the building’s exterior viewing deck offered up some great views looking out across the river to the city beyond, and although I was quite taken with the overall design I have to say I was disappointed that the finished build quality wasn’t there. The building has only been up a couple of years and already feels like it’s falling into disrepair; with mis-aligned structural panels, and masonry that’s beginning to fall.
I can’t help but feel that this is due in part to the buildings under-use. When we arrived there was nothing open, except the box office building, appearing like a vacant shell, with no show itinerary, empty shelves and a personal that was nowhere to be seen. It’s only real use that I could tell was to offer visitors some brief respite from the outside cold.
I think if the management team were able to produce a full, year round agenda and developed a proper artistic vision for the site this could become a major venue in China for shows, concerts, gigs, youth theatre, events, opera, ballet, media launches etc. etc.....from all around the world. And with the city of Harbin on its doorstep and an urban population of 5 million plus, quite able to support such an outstanding building. I really hope this venue manages to get its act together (no pun intended), because as a piece of art it’s truly stunning and worth supporting for the future of the arts in China.
Go for the architecture, stay to catch a show (if there is one), and help support a venue that should be on most people’s concert going/architectural map.
Written February 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennisa S.
Bangkok, Thailand15 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Very interesting place to visit.It is the one of the most interesting i've ever visited. That big giant iconic building make you feel like walking around space ship.There are stairs at the side you can walk up to see the landscape.
Written October 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lovetravel02
Greater Sydney, Australia297 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This should be a major attraction to Harbin, with its stunning design. Sadly it appears to be underused. Even the box office has next to nothing in it. Build quality appeared to be less than you'd hope for, but after walking around, up & down the exterior, we wanted a guided tour, including of inside, or better still, to be able to attend a performance of something.
Come on Harbin - you have built a wonderful asset (think Heydar Aliyev Centre and Sydney Opera House). Use it!
Come on Harbin - you have built a wonderful asset (think Heydar Aliyev Centre and Sydney Opera House). Use it!
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
George N
Shenyang, China511 contributions
Apr 2018
This surprising structure juts out of a riverbank in Harbin. It looks a bit out of place but is interesting. Check it out when you go to see the Tiger park.
Written April 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Myraubatyr
52 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I have been to a fortepiano concert and was really excited by the architecture of the building. It was really nice an unexpected, the seats inside the concert hall itself are really put in an odd way but it provides a good view for everyone and a feeling of being a part of something.
Unexpected part of that was though a building is new, some parts of it were already damaged or constructed in inoppropriate way, and some lamps were off
Unexpected part of that was though a building is new, some parts of it were already damaged or constructed in inoppropriate way, and some lamps were off
Written July 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ram1975
New Delhi, India343 contributions
How to know the scheduled performances in February 2020 and where to book them online?
Здравствуйте. Как доехать до театра, сколько стоит проезд на такси. На чем можно уехать после концерта. Где взять программу концертов и какова стоимость билетов. Спасибо
Mpavl
Vladivostok, Russia226 contributions
Театр находится рядом с тигриным сафари. Мимо ходят различные маршрутные автобусы. Мы пользовались навигатором от Гугл. Расписание концертов и стоимость смотрели в самой кассе театра. На такси может стоить порядка 30-50 юаней.
MaximusCruiser
Singapore, Singapore1,333 contributions
Hi... how much time should we allocate to visit this place in winter (in case it is easier to ask cab driver to wait) and is it easy to grab a cab from there to Sun Island snow sculpture area? The place looks quite deserted so we are concern. Thanks for your advice.
Flymoo7
Shanghai, China12 contributions
If you’re just visiting for the architecture then you could probably whizz around in about 1/2hr, if you’re going for a show or exhibition then plan accordingly.
Taxis are few and far between as the Grand Theatre is on the outskirts of the city. We ended up calling a taxi with our phone app, but unless you speak Chinese I’d ask your driver to wait.
The Sun Island Snow Sculpture Center is about a 30min taxi ride away, if I recall correctly.
I don’t know if you are aware but there are actually two sites to visit on Sun Island. One the aforementioned Snow Scultpture Center, the second is the Harbin Ice and Snow World. It’s the Snow World that has all the large ice sculpted buildings (that gets illuminate at night), and is the larger of the two parks. The Snow Sculpture Center features hand carved, well, ‘snow sculptures’ similar to what you’d find made from sand on a beach. Both are worth visiting but you will need a taxi to get between the two, and the local drivers see it as an opportunity to make money, so you’ll probably end up sharing you’re ride unless you want to pay an exhorbitant amount.
Harbin Grand Theatre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Harbin Grand Theatre
- Harbin Grand Theatre is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- We recommend booking Harbin Grand Theatre tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Harbin Grand Theatre tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Harbin Grand Theatre:
- (1.46 mi) Shangri-La Songbei, Harbin
- (3.11 mi) Shangri-La Harbin
- (3.37 mi) Holiday Inn City Centre Harbin
- (3.87 mi) Aoluguya Hotel
- (2.74 mi) JW Marriott Hotel Harbin River North
- Restaurants near Harbin Grand Theatre:
- (1.48 mi) Cafe Song
- (3.11 mi) Coffee Garden
- (1.59 mi) LongHua YuCun
- (3.10 mi) Harbin DongFang JiaoZi Wang (ZhongYang Main Street)
- (3.09 mi) McDonalds Central Street