The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

About the hospital

Founded in 1949 on the site of Harbin Garrison Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University is Heilongjiang Province's largest medical center and a major comprehensive tertiary A hospital integrating clinical care, education, research and prevention. With Nangang and Qunli campuses, 4200 open beds and 54 clinical departments, it carries forward the legacy of Dr. Wu Lien-teh. World-first innovations born here include arsenic trioxide therapy for M3 leukemia, split spleen transplantation for hemophilia A, and the world's first allogeneic whole forearm transplant. It has 21 national clinical key specialty construction projects, general surgery as a national key (cultivating) discipline, and leads nationally in several fields including critical care and rheumatology. It consistently earns A+ in national tertiary public hospital performance rankings, provides healthcare for provincial leaders and foreign dignitaries, and serves patients from neighboring countries.

Last updated: 2026-11-10

Grade 3A public hospital

Key strengths

• Critical Care
• Rheumatology

Specialty rankings

Positions in the Fudan specialty reputation ranking (2023). Each item links to the published source.

• #6Critical Care
• #9Rheumatology

Also nominated in: Plastic Surgery, Cardiovascular Medicine, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Psychiatry, Health Management, Laboratory Medicine, Pathology

Departments

• Rheumatology & immunology

Key specialties

• General SurgeryNational-level key (cultivation) discipline
• Critical Care MedicineLeading in China
• Rheumatology and ImmunologyLeading in China
• NeurosurgeryAmong the top nationally; leading in brain–computer interfaces and neural repair
• CardiologyAmong the top nationally; national key clinical specialty construction project
• Hematology (Internal Medicine)National key clinical specialty construction project; leading bone marrow transplant center in the province

Technologies and techniques

International patient services

International-service details come from public pages and have not been confirmed with the hospital yet. Please verify with us before travelling.

No dedicated international services have been confirmed yet. Contact us and we will check for you.

Strong treatment areas

• M3 acute promyelocytic leukemia
• Hemophilia A
• High paraplegia
• Cervical spinal cord injury
• End-stage heart failure
• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Complex biliary diseases
• Carotid artery stenosis
• End-stage liver disease
• Deep brain tumors

Conditions treated

Things to do near this hospital in Harbin

Popular attractions in Harbin you can enjoy before or after your appointments.

LandmarkEasy on recovery

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Iconic Byzantine-style Russian Orthodox cathedral built in 1907 featuring striking green onion domes and red brick architecture. Now serving as Harbin Architecture Art Museum with historical photographs of old Harbin. The surrounding square offers excellent photo opportunities and reflects the city's rich Russian heritage. Popular landmark for foreign visitors.

• Allow about 1 h
• CNY 25
• 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM daily

Recovery fit: Flat open square is wheelchair accessible with few steps for exterior views and photos. Ample seating nearby, short visit duration possible. Low physical demand ideal for limited mobility and recovery patients.

MuseumEasy on recovery

Heilongjiang Provincial Museum

Comprehensive museum displaying Heilongjiang's history, natural specimens, ethnic cultures, and art. Features dinosaur fossils, wildlife exhibits, and regional artifacts in a historic building. Provides valuable educational insight into Northeast China. Indoor setting makes it suitable for all weather and varied energy levels.

• Allow about 2 h
• Free
• 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mondays, except holidays)
• Advance booking required

Recovery fit: Indoor venue with flat floors, elevators, benches in halls. Wheelchair accessible, low exertion with paced viewing and rest areas. Excellent choice for post-surgery or limited stamina visitors.

CultureModerate effort

Central Street

Famous 1.4km cobblestone pedestrian street showcasing early 20th-century European architecture in Baroque, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Lined with shops, cafes, Russian bakeries and historic buildings. Vibrant hub reflecting Harbin's multicultural past and ideal for leisurely strolls and people-watching.

• Allow about 2 h
• Free
• 24 hours open

Recovery fit: Mostly flat pedestrian street with cobblestones that may challenge wheelchairs but offers frequent benches, cafes for resting. Visitors can explore sections at their own pace with low to moderate exertion.

LandmarkEasy on recovery

Flood Control Monument

22.5-meter granite monument erected in 1958 commemorating Harbin citizens' victory over the devastating 1957 Songhua River flood. Features relief sculptures and stands at the end of Central Street beside the river. Offers scenic riverside views and serves as a symbol of resilience.

• Allow about 0.5 h
• Free
• 24 hours open

Recovery fit: Flat plaza and riverside area with easy access, minimal walking, and seating. Wheelchair friendly with short visit time and scenic views without strenuous activity. Highly suitable for recovery.

HistoryModerate effort

Temple of Bliss

Largest and most active Buddhist temple complex in Heilongjiang, originally built in the 1920s. Features traditional Chinese temple architecture including halls, a seven-story pagoda, and peaceful courtyards. Still used for worship, providing cultural and spiritual insight with a serene atmosphere.

• Allow about 1.5 h
• CNY 10
• 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (hours may vary seasonally)

Recovery fit: Courtyards are relatively flat but include some steps and uneven surfaces typical of temples. Paced visit with resting spots possible. Moderate exertion; avoid full pagoda climb for limited mobility.

MuseumEasy on recovery

Harbin Jewish History and Culture Museum

Housed in the beautifully restored 1921 New Synagogue, this museum documents the history of Harbin's once-thriving Jewish community through photos, artifacts and exhibits. Highlights the multicultural fabric of early 20th-century Harbin and its Russian-Jewish heritage. Educational and indoor venue.

• Allow about 1.5 h
• CNY 25
• 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (may close Mondays)

Recovery fit: Indoor museum with flat floors and exhibits at accessible heights. Seating available, controlled environment with low physical demand. Ideal for recovery patients seeking cultural experiences without exertion.

Latest from this hospital

Rare & hard-to-treat diseases2026-10-01

Heilongjiang Completes First Fully Invasive Wireless Brain-Computer Interface Implantation

Neurosurgeons successfully performed Heilongjiang's first neuron-level, high-throughput, fully invasive wireless brain-computer interface implantation surgery on a 56-year-old patient with high paraplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury, establishing a thought-control pathway and marking a breakthrough in the province's clinical BCI applications.

The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Video

Neurology & neurosurgery2025-08-28

China's Independently Developed Brain-Computer Interface Successfully Completes Clinical Trial for Precise Boundary Localization of Deep Brain Tumors

The neurosurgery department of Harbin Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, in collaboration with CAS team, completed the clinical trial of MEMS-based microelectrode array BCI for precise deep brain tumor boundary localization, the world's first reported use of BCI for intraoperative tumor boundary identification. The glioma patient with frequent epilepsy had no seizures post-surgery, clear speech, and maximized preservation of healthy brain tissue.

The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Sources

• hlj.news.cn
• hlj.news.cn
• hlj.xinhuanet.com
• hlj.cnr.cn
• hlj.gov.cn
• 54dr.org.cn
• 54dr.org.cn
• hrbmu.edu.cn
• kepuchina.cn