Lao DaoWai
Lao DaoWai
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
58 reviews
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rosily
Taiwan323 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
There is an antique market next to the Chinese Baroque Style Street, which has the style of the 1970s and 1980s. It is close to the subway station and has convenient transportation. There are many shops selling all kinds of old stuff, namely Russian goods, such as sausages and large breads. You can try them. Lao Ding Feng’s pastries are a must-buy souvenir. There are also museums and former residences of famous people in the neighborhood, which are free to visit.

Written November 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laxiaozi08200912
Beijing, China1,232 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
VISITED in SEP, OCT, NOV, AND DEC 2016!! The whole street of JING YU portrays the Old Baroque style building that looked like if it was set on fire. On 2nd and 3rd street, you can find pedestrain rd in which a LOT OF MUSLIM RESTAURANTS(dumpling shops) and other tea house are available to visit. One of the Youth HOstels, the baroque hostel is located here to for different travellers world wide! On 8th street, you can find a fried chicken shop how? because you can smell the aroma of the chicken from 4 streets away! then on 12th street, you can see a MOSQUE because Chinese Muslims live around that area! There are two pastry/bakeries here that you can buy delicious freshly made cakes and breads. I was there around Chinese Moon Festival and bought MOON CAKES FOR MY WIFE and KID!))) that was so lovely! Lastly, at the end, 20th street of Jing Yu street, it's JING YU Park! Small but delicate. Dedicated to our Sino-Japanese War Hero=Yang Jing Yu!
Written January 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Franciswon
Hong Kong, China93 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
The place has recently been renovated. It now have many restaurants, tea houses and shops, and even youth hostels. Good for a slow stroll to look at the ancient Chinese buildings and a few western structures. We went on a Saturday morning and next to it there was a flea market selling all sorts of interesting things, from antique to stones.
Written April 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elilyssar
Bundaberg, Australia136 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
You can catch the no.1 bus from St Sophia Sq to Lao Daowai for 1 kuai. You can also jump in a traditional motor-tricycle for 10 kuai (so long as the trip is less than 3kms). Once there, there is a large map printed on a wall, and some English captions can be read outside interesting examples of architecture. Here you will find the areas oldest bakery and pharmacy. I can't say for the medicine (although it was noted that viagra could be purchased without prescription), but the bakery was impressive and their goods delicious. Old housing compounds have been preserved, and these are interesting and photogenic. It seems like a fun place to visit in summer, with many outdoor shows available. Even in winter, outdoor cross-talk shows were on, if you are there at the right time (sit on wooden benches outside).
An interesting food point, there is a chain of restaurants in Harbin serving traditionally prepared donkey meat. We had a large bowl of donkey/tofu soup, side vegetable dishes, and two large donkey-meat stuffed bing for 60 kuai (loads for 3ppl). FYI donkey tastes just like tender corned beef.
We were there on a Sat morning and there were markets on the street. For the intrepid travelers you might find the military surplus store selling fabulous used military wares. You can find extremely warm jackets here. We purchased a Lei Feng style hat for 18 kuai (AUD3.6) without bargaining.
An interesting food point, there is a chain of restaurants in Harbin serving traditionally prepared donkey meat. We had a large bowl of donkey/tofu soup, side vegetable dishes, and two large donkey-meat stuffed bing for 60 kuai (loads for 3ppl). FYI donkey tastes just like tender corned beef.
We were there on a Sat morning and there were markets on the street. For the intrepid travelers you might find the military surplus store selling fabulous used military wares. You can find extremely warm jackets here. We purchased a Lei Feng style hat for 18 kuai (AUD3.6) without bargaining.
Written November 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stevie0020
Hong Kong, China55 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
Walking in this old baroque style area of Harbin is fantastic, it's like traveling through time and history. Nothing much left of the glory once this quarter of Harbin had. But it's worth walking and watching, excellent for photography.
We took a taxi from central street and costs roughly RMB 23.
We took a taxi from central street and costs roughly RMB 23.
Written September 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Funambulator
The Rocks, Australia1,942 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
If you looking for somewhere different to the tourist haven centre of Harbin, take a trip to the city’s east where you will find some of the oldest (Russian-era) buildings in Harbin. Lao DaoWai has retained some grand structures especially around St Sophia Square (a pleasant open plaza) which is also close to working class markets and a bit of a theatre area. Further east you will find the very less grand houses and apartments. Many of these such as the old faded Russian peaked buildings are in very poor condition, some of DaoWai residential blocks are little more than crumbling wrecks. A very pleasant and interesting walk can be had from Lao DaiWai on the riverfront, on the promenade back to Zhongyang Lu. You can take in the views across Songhua River to the large forested island and the high-rise city in the distance or observe the locals fishing, swimming, walking their dogs (French poodles the preferred canine in seems) or just generally chilling out.
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry G
29 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
If it is your first time in Harbin, you should visit Lao DaoWai, have a great place that does and sweet sugar food, (cannot remember the name), the area is full of history and one of my favourite places visit.
Written September 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
griffinpaul
Calgary, Canada424 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Part of the tour took us here... to old Harbin. Not a lot of the shops were open. Not sure if because low season or just no one left. Not sure there is a need to see this place. I have no need to go back. There were some ice sculptures in the streets.
Written January 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johan N
Gothenburg, Sweden62 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Right now it is hard to judge the "restored" part of Daowai (or China Baroque History Culture Scenic Area 老道外中华巴洛克历史文化景区 as it is called officially) since it is not fully open yet.
The developers probably think they build something like Shanghai's Xintiandi. I am not sure if they will succeed. The "restored" area (actually, half of it is brand new) is more like the awfully sanitized and fake Qianmen area in Beijing. The surrounding blocks are more interesting and photogenic with its original but often awfully run-down buildings. It is easy to spot the upgraded area on Google Earth when comparing satellite images on the timeline.
I guess the area will become more lively (and well known) in a few years. At the moment, especially the more authentic eastern blocks (between 南头道街,南二道街,南三道街,南四道街), are hidden in the middle of old, dense, run down blocks and streets making it almost impossible to reach with bus or taxi. Good for tourists walking on foot taking pictures, bad for businesses that want to attract customers to their hotels, bars, teahouses and shopping centre.
The developers probably think they build something like Shanghai's Xintiandi. I am not sure if they will succeed. The "restored" area (actually, half of it is brand new) is more like the awfully sanitized and fake Qianmen area in Beijing. The surrounding blocks are more interesting and photogenic with its original but often awfully run-down buildings. It is easy to spot the upgraded area on Google Earth when comparing satellite images on the timeline.
I guess the area will become more lively (and well known) in a few years. At the moment, especially the more authentic eastern blocks (between 南头道街,南二道街,南三道街,南四道街), are hidden in the middle of old, dense, run down blocks and streets making it almost impossible to reach with bus or taxi. Good for tourists walking on foot taking pictures, bad for businesses that want to attract customers to their hotels, bars, teahouses and shopping centre.
Written September 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharen D
7 contributions
Feb 2022
Really different place, old Chinese buildings, local resturants, shop, good to walking around, less visitors and good for pictures also.
Written February 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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