The Sun Island Park (Taiyang Dao) consists of one big island and some smaller islands in the Songhua River, which meanders through the north of Harbin.

Dotted with more than 20 artificial landscapes and interlaced with natural scenery, the island is elegant and interesting. A famous saying that" the deer cries on the hill side, and drinks by the brook" depicts the charming scenery of the deer park. The great flying waterfall of the Sun Island makes tourists reluctant to leave. The Russian custom town is exotic and charming. The sun mountain has a clear fountain and a flying waterfall, jagged rocks of grotesque shapes, weeping willows on the north bank, and a long corridor on the west. A waterside pavilion stands on the lofty flood-control wall. There are also a round pavilion, a square pavilion, and a fan-shaped pavilion by the winding path.

In summer times, the island serves as a natural beach resort and sanatorium. The island boasts of several fine beaches on either bank, lakes for boating, swimming pools, sunbathing facilities, a fairground, to name but a few. The middle and northern parts of the island are mainly forests with a large garden. Various recreational buildings dot the "Sun Lake" and the "Lotus Pond". With hidden paths throughout, the park is a nice area full of trees and flowers, a perfect place for a stroll and to get away from the crowds. Barbecues and picnics can also be arranged in the park.

A little squirrel in Sun Island Park [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com /Xu Liuliu]

During winter times, when the island is gracefully covered with snow, the Sun Island is used as a playground for various winter sports, including skiing, hockey, ice-skating, and sledding games. More importantly, the renowned annual Snow Carving Festival is held here.

The gate of Sun Island Park [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com /Xu Liuliu]