In the frigid winds of China's northeastern region, aircraft take off and land with precision at Harbin Taiping International Airport, steadily transforming into a crucial aviation hub connecting Northeast Asia with global destinations. This facility not only serves as Heilongjiang Province's gateway to international commerce but also reflects China's rapidly expanding civil aviation sector.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure
Previously known as Harbin Yanjiagang Airport, the facility (IATA: HRB, ICAO: ZYHB) occupies a strategic position approximately 37 kilometers southwest of Harbin city. Since commencing operations in 1979, it has grown to become one of Northeast China's three busiest international airports, alongside Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport and Shenyang Taoxian International Airport.
The airport's 4E-class airfield sits at an elevation of 139 meters (457 feet), featuring a primary runway measuring 3,200 meters long and 45 meters wide—capable of accommodating all major commercial aircraft for round-the-clock operations.
Major Expansion Project
A significant 4.619 billion yuan ($650 million) expansion launched in 2014 aimed to prepare the airport for projected 2020 demand: 18 million passengers, 175,000 tons of cargo, and 141,000 annual flights. Key improvements include:
• A new 160,000-square-meter Terminal 2 building, with existing terminal space expanding from 66,000 to over 100,000 square meters
• 45 additional aircraft parking positions to enhance operational capacity
• Runway extension from 3,200 to 3,600 meters with Category II instrument landing systems for low-visibility conditions
• Optimized taxiway networks including rapid-exit taxiways to improve ground movement efficiency
• Upgraded parking facilities and passenger service infrastructure
Aviation Network and Russian Focus
Harbin Taiping serves as a base for China Southern Airlines' Heilongjiang branch, with Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Okay Airways maintaining overnight operations. Over 30 domestic and international carriers operate 147 routes to more than 80 destinations from the airport.
The facility has developed particular strength in Russian connections, operating eight routes to destinations including Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Yakutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, and Moscow. This represents 85% of Northeast China's Russia-bound air traffic, second only to Beijing Capital International Airport in volume.
Future Development
Positioned at the heart of an expanding air network connecting Chinese cities with Russia, Japan, Korea, and transcontinental routes to Europe and North America, Harbin Taiping International Airport continues upgrading facilities and services to meet growing regional demand.
The airport's development aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative, fostering international aviation cooperation while supporting economic growth across Heilongjiang Province and Northeast China. With infrastructure improvements and strategic route expansion, the facility is poised to strengthen its role as a critical Northeast Asian transportation node in coming years.