Located in the east of Songnen Plain, it is an undulating land with low hills and shallow valleys, through which the Songhua River passes. It has a semi-humid temperate climate, with an annual average temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius and rainfall of 530 mm, and a frost-free period of 140 days. Mineral resources include coal, quartzite, marble, copper, lead and zinc.

Harbin is one of the important industrial bases in China, and the machinery manufacturing industry is its main pillar. Food, petroleum, chemicals and textiles are its important pillars. Its pharmaceutical industry output value ranks first in the country. The main agricultural products are wheat, soybeans, beets, flax, tobacco and poultry. It is one of the major sugar beet growing areas in China.

Harbin is the commercial center of Heilongjiang Province and the transportation hub in the northeast and north of China, with developed railway and highway networks. It has regular flights with more than 30 cities at home and abroad. Songhua River is an important shipping waterway.