River helps the good times flow in northernmost province

HARBIN — As Xia Yuanfang strolled along the Songhua River with her family, she was glad of the mild northern weather, a welcome change from the hot, humid environment of her hometown in Guangdong province. "It's cool here in summer. It's comfortable drinking beer and listening to music," says Xia, who took a river tour in Harbin, capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province.

The river flows through Harbin and provides fishermen with rich resources. Now, it blends into modern life, featuring bars and beer in summer and ice activities in winter. It also features water sports, including some with strong historical roots. In the 1920s, motorboats and water skiing were brought to Harbin from the West, and in the '70s, the city's large enterprises would organize annual water sports competitions.

Tourism and leisure activities have flourished along the river banks, and they are even more popular during the winter.