Gallery 1005 - Langxiang - a small town in Heilongjiang Province
Harbin is the major city of Heilongjiang Province, which is located in the far north of China bordering Russia. This series of images was taken in November 1985 when visits such as this were a very rare event for western visitors. Langxiang's existence was based on forestry with a narrow gauge railway bringing lumber to the factories in the town. Like much of China at this time, the population eked a living in rather miserable circumstances with poor housing, limited public facilities and very little choice in the shops. In winter life was even more miserable with temperatures dropping well below freezing. Private enterprise was re-emerging with small market stalls selling food.
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