Hayaolu Print Museum Travel Guide A Hidden Art Landmark in Harbin

Hello, I’m Michael Zhang, a China-based travel writer with years of international travel experience. Rather than rushing through checklist-style attractions, I focus on places that reveal a city’s history, industrial memory, and cultural transformation. The Hayaolu Print Museum is one such destination—often underestimated, yet rich in depth. More than an art museum, it stands as a living record of China’s pharmaceutical industry and urban heritage. In this guide, I explore its architecture, history, art collections, and real visiting experience to help you decide whether the Hayaolu Print Museum deserves a place in your Harbin itinerary.

Introduction to the Hayaolu Print Museum

The Hayaolu Print Museum, also widely known as Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No.6, sits on the original site of the Harbin Pharmaceutical Group’s Sixth Manufacturing Plant. The main building draws inspiration from the Louvre in France and blends Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles. Granite carvings dominate the exterior, while the interior features domed frescoes, white marble reliefs, and an 18-meter crystal chandelier. Because of its dramatic design, many visitors call it the “Louvre of the East,” and it has become a popular photography spot. At present, only the first, fourth, and fifth floors are open to the public.

Inside, the museum houses more than 400 printmaking works, including Beidahuang prints and Russian oil paintings. From bold woodcuts to delicate silkscreen prints, the collection clearly traces the evolution of printmaking techniques, making the Hayaolu Print Museum a rewarding stop for art lovers.

• Address: No. 30 Nanzhi Road, Daowai District, Harbin (Apple Maps/Amap)
• Opening hours: 9:00–16:00; closed on Mondays. Although the museum occasionally opens on Mondays during certain periods, schedules vary, so it is safer to avoid Mondays.
• Recommended visit duration: 1 hour
• Best season to visit: Year-round
• Admission: Free, with reservation required one day in advance. On quieter days, walk-in entry may be possible, but availability is not guaranteed.
• Reservation link: Click here to reserve

Why You Should Visit the Hayaolu Print Museum

Distinctive Architectural Style

Completed in 2004, the main building adopts a Baroque-inspired design with a grand façade and refined details. Because of its visual resemblance to the Louvre, locals often call it the “Northeast China Louvre.” This European-style architecture is rare among former industrial sites in China, which gives the Hayaolu Print Museum strong visual identity and makes it a well-known photo spot in Harbin.

A Window into China’s Pharmaceutical History

Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No.6 once stood at the heart of China’s industrial development as part of the country’s early heavy-industry base. It played a leading role in the national pharmaceutical sector, and the so-called “Harbin Pharma model” relied on large-scale advertising to build household brands such as Hutong and Xingaizhonggai, which influenced generations of Chinese consumers. Visiting the museum feels like stepping into a living history book of China’s modern pharmaceutical industry.

Professional and Diverse Print Art Collections

As China’s first museum dedicated entirely to printmaking, the Hayaolu Print Museum holds thousands of works dating from the 1930s to the present day. The collection covers woodcut, copperplate, lithography, and silkscreen techniques. It features classic works by early masters such as Li Hua and Gu Yuan, alongside innovative pieces by contemporary artists. Together, these works present a clear and continuous picture of how modern Chinese printmaking has evolved over time.

Top Things to Do in the Hayaolu Print Museum

Main Attractions

First Floor: The Louvre Hall

The first-floor hall is the most visually striking space in the Hayaolu Print Museum. The soaring dome, perfectly symmetrical layout, and massive crystal chandelier suspended at the center create an immediate illusion of stepping into a European palace. This space is also the most direct reason behind the nickname “Louvre of the East.”

One side of the hall features a museum gift shop selling souvenirs inspired by printmaking and architectural details, while the other side offers a stamp station. Many visitors take photos, collect stamps, and linger here. However, I suggest not spending too much time at the beginning. Save this space for the end of your visit, when the contrast feels more rewarding.

Fourth Floor: Factory History Hall and Print Gallery

The fourth floor is essential for understanding the true significance of Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No.6. The factory history hall displays pharmaceutical manuscripts from the 1960s, early production equipment, preserved advertising walls, and extensive archival materials. Together, they clearly trace the factory’s transition from the planned economy era to market-oriented reform.

Nothing here feels exaggerated. Instead, the exhibits feel grounded and authentic, which explains why Harbin Pharma once stood as a benchmark in China’s pharmaceutical industry. The adjoining print gallery adds an artistic layer to this industrial story, giving emotional depth and human warmth to what could otherwise feel like cold machinery and data.

Fifth Floor: Print Art Gallery

The fifth floor focuses entirely on print exhibitions and is where most art lovers spend the longest time. The layout feels open and calm, with works covering a wide range of themes and styles. Early realist prints sit alongside more experimental contemporary pieces, making the progression easy to follow.

This floor also features a popular golden corridor, where soft lighting and strong spatial depth make it ideal for photography. Compared with the grandeur of the first floor, the fifth floor feels quieter and more focused, which suits slow viewing and short breaks.

Recommended Visiting Route for the Hayaolu Print Museum

I recommend taking the stairs directly to the fifth floor first and then working your way down. The museum has no elevators, and both the fourth and fifth floors house the main print exhibitions and the factory history hall, where you can fully understand the story of Harbin Pharmaceutical Factory No.6. Finish your visit on the first floor, where the most luxurious space leaves a strong final impression.

• Since the Hayaolu Print Museum is far from Central Street, it works best when paired with a visit to the Zhonghua Baroque Historic District.

Recommended Hotels Near the Hayaolu Print Museum

There is no metro station near the Hayaolu Print Museum, and the surrounding area has few attractions, so most visitors do not stay nearby. A better option is to stay near the Huzai Museum Metro Station or Gongren Cultural Palace Metro Station, which are transfer stations for Metro Line 1 and Line 2. From there, it is convenient to reach Central Street, Harbin Ice and Snow World, and Sun Island. You can also easily visit Shida Night Market and Xuefu Fourth Night Market. This is a lively area with good shopping options, and the Fendou Road Food Market is within walking distance. Hotels of all price ranges are available, which makes it one of the best accommodation areas in Harbin. For a more detailed 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 from Downtown Harbin to the Hayaolu Print Museum

In winter, taking a taxi is the best option, as Harbin’s temperatures can be extremely cold. In other seasons, you can take the metro to a nearby station and then transfer to a bus to reach the museum.

By Bus

Only buses serve the area around the Hayaolu Print Museum. You can take the metro to “Second Municipal Hospital” or “Huashu Street” and then transfer to a bus that stops near the museum.

By Taxi or Ride-Hailing

A direct taxi ride from downtown Harbin takes about 20 minutes and costs around 20 CNY.

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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