An Jung-geun Memorial Hall Travel Guide in Harbin

Hello, I’m Michael Zhang, a China-based travel writer with years of international travel experience. Having explored cities across different cultures and regions, I focus on the historical context, cultural layers, and overlooked details that give places real depth. In this article, I’ll take you inside a quiet yet powerful site hidden within Harbin Railway Station—the An Jung-geun Memorial Hall. By combining historical facts with on-site observations, this guide explains why this memorial is not just another stop in Harbin, but a place deeply connected to modern East Asian history.

An Jung-geun Memorial Hall Overview

The An Jung-geun Memorial Hall presents the life and legacy of An Jung-geun, a leading figure in the anti-Japanese resistance movement. The exhibition focuses on his assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi at Harbin Railway Station, explaining the full historical background and aftermath of the event. Converted from part of the station’s former waiting hall, the memorial covers just over 100 square meters and includes the An Jung-geun Life Exhibition Room as well as the exact site marking where the assassination took place.

• Address: Harbin Railway Station South Square, Nangang District, Harbin (Apple Maps/Amap)
• Opening Hours: 09:00–11:30, 13:30–16:30, closed on Mondays
• Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Ticket Price: Free, no reservation required

Why You Should Visit An Jung-geun Memorial Hall

A Unique Historical Site

The memorial stands on the original site where An Jung-geun assassinated Ito Hirobumi on October 26, 1909. This moment marked a major turning point in East Asia’s anti-colonial movement and dealt a direct blow to Japan’s expansionist ambitions. Former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai once described the event as the starting point of the joint resistance by the Chinese and Korean people against Japanese imperialism. Inside the station, the clock remains frozen at 9:30 a.m., while a triangular floor marker clearly identifies the exact location of the assassination, allowing visitors to experience the weight of history in a real, physical space.

Thoughtfully Curated Exhibitions

The memorial repurposes part of the old railway waiting hall, with exhibition spaces designed to resemble the original train platform. Through historical photographs, documents, personal artifacts, and reconstructed scenes, the displays trace An Jung-geun’s journey from patriotic educator to resistance fighter. Visitors can also view reproductions of his prison writings, including On Peace in East Asia, and learn about the “finger-cutting alliance,” a pledge that symbolized his commitment to independence and regional peace.

An International Symbol of Historical Memory

An Jung-geun is widely honored in South Korea as a national hero. China’s decision to establish the memorial at the site of the event is seen by many in South Korea as a gesture of historical respect and recognition of shared memory. As a result, the An Jung-geun Memorial Hall has become a must-visit site for Korean travelers to Harbin and is often described as a symbol of China–Korea friendship. Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye also publicly expressed appreciation for the memorial.

Top Things to Do in An Jung-geun Memorial Hall

Main Highlights

An Jung-geun Life Exhibition Room

This is the core exhibition area of the memorial. It follows a clear chronological narrative of An Jung-geun’s life, from his early exposure to patriotic education and involvement in anti-Japanese activities to the assassination in Harbin and his later trial and execution in Lüshun. The exhibition panels focus on verified historical facts and maintain a restrained, precise tone. As a result, this section suits visitors with a genuine interest in modern East Asian history. If you take your time reading, you’ll notice many details that reveal the political context and ideological motivations of the era.

Site Marking of Ito Hirobumi’s Assassination

This marker sits in the original platform area of Harbin Railway Station and leaves one of the strongest impressions during the visit. Floor markings and spatial restoration clearly indicate the exact location where the historical event took place. The station clock remains fixed at 9:30, accompanied by concise explanatory text. Together, these elements help visitors understand that this moment unfolded in a real, physical space rather than remaining confined to books or documentaries.

Recommended Visiting Route for An Jung-geun Memorial Hall

The memorial is compact, with a clear and mostly linear layout. The recommended route starts at the entrance, continues through the life exhibition room, and ends at the assassination site marker. If you carefully read all the exhibition panels, the full visit takes about one hour, and there’s no need to rush.

Recommended Hotels Near An Jung-geun Memorial Hall

The An Jung-geun Memorial Hall is located inside Harbin Railway Station and sits close to Central Street. It’s best to stay near Museum Metro Station or Workers’ Cultural Palace Metro Station, which serve as transfer points for Metro Line 1 and Line 2. From here, it’s easy to reach Central Street, Harbin Ice and Snow World, and Sun Island. The area also offers convenient access to Shida Night Market and Xuefu Fourth Night Market. As a busy commercial district, it provides plenty of shopping options, with Fendou Road Food Market within walking distance. Hotels of all price levels are available here, making it one of the most practical areas to stay in Harbin. For a detailed accommodation guide, see <Harbin Hotel Recommendations>.

Xana Hotelle (Harbin Railway Station Museum Subway Station)

• Location: 5 minutes walk from Museum Metro Station
• Price Range: 181 RMB
• Check Rates:Trip.com Specials
• Rating: 4.7 on Trip
• Special Amenities: Robot delivery service, family rooms

The hotel is conveniently located next to the metro station. It’s close to Harbin Railway Station, providing easy access to Ice and Snow World, Central Street, and Saint Sophia Cathedral.

Rooms are clean, stylishly furnished, and very quiet. Many rooms are equipped with smart devices, offering great value for money.

New Paris Hotel

• Location: 2 minutes walk from Workers’ Cultural Palace Metro Station
• Price Range: 299 RMB
• Check Rates:Trip.com Specials
• Rating: 4.6 on Trip
• Special Amenities: Gym, family rooms

The hotel is advantageously located right next to the metro station, offering convenient access to nearby attractions and close to Gogol Street. The decor boasts European characteristics.

Rooms are comfortable, fully equipped with essentials, and quiet. The cleanliness is well-maintained, with great attention to detail.

Atour Hotel (Harbin Museum Train Station)

• Location: 8 minutes walk from Workers’ Cultural Palace Metro Station, 11 minutes from Museum Metro Station
• Price Range: 412 RMB
• Check Rates:Trip.com Specials, Compare on Klook
• Rating: 4.8 on Trip
• Special Amenities: Gym, laundry room, robot delivery service, family rooms

The hotel’s location is ideal, near the museum and convenient for transportation, located on the main road and near the beautiful Zhongshan Bridge. Catching a taxi is very convenient.

Rooms are spacious, clean, and notably, despite facing the street, are exceptionally well soundproofed, ensuring a good night’s sleep.

How to Get to An Jung-geun Memorial Hall from Harbin City Center

Taking the metro is the most convenient option, since the memorial is located at Harbin Railway Station and is directly accessible by subway.

Metro

Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Harbin Railway Station. Exit through Exit 4, then walk for about five minutes to reach the memorial hall.

Taxi / Ride-hailing Services

A taxi or ride-hailing trip from central Harbin takes around 15 minutes and costs approximately 15 CNY, depending on traffic conditions.

How to plan your Harbin trip

Harbin winter trips can be planned in different ways—some travelers focus on Snow Town and scenic snow nights (2 days), while others add Yabuli skiing (3–5 days) or extend to broader winter highlights like Changbaishan Tianchi and Yanji culture (6 days). Here are our most popular private tour options:

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