Relief: Shangri-La Harbin Songbei Hotel
After checking out early from my previous night at the scary hotel, I walked around Harbin sightseeing, but with my roll aboard suitcase in tow! I actually checked out (from the outside) an Orange Hotel in the city center, but eventually booked the Shangri-La Songbei Hotel on the app. There are actually two Shangri-Las in Harbin. The city center Shangri-La from the reviews sounded like one of the “old style” Shangri-Las (similar to one I stayed in Fuzhou) which I don’t prefer, so I went for the newer one in the Songbei district.
Typical grand Shangri-La lobby.
It was so nice to come to the dependable Shangri-La! This was definitely one of the newer generation Shangri-Las, because it’s much lighter in feel.
Older ones are much darker overall, with ornate fixtures.
I loved this huge walk-in closet! I liked how it kept things hidden away from the room, but at the same time, not too hidden as to forget things behind closed doors or in drawers.
The view from the room was the frozen Songhua River, where it appeared as if there were some driving courses on ice!
There was actually a hotel shuttle bus to various main sights as well as the other Shangri-La in town, but it was very infrequent and required booking in advance. I didn’t make use of it. Besides, this Shangri-La was very close to a metro station.
I booked a bed and breakfast package, so the next morning I had breakfast in the restaurant.
It was a typical Shangri-La affair, with lots of different options.
I got to try some of the Harbin sausages here! They’re also known for their wheat products like buns and dumplings here in the north.
I also got a bow of beef noodle soup.
What a relief to come to the Shangri-La.
