Germs, gases and guns

In Harbin's Pingfang district stand several old Japanese-style buildings that provide a striking contrast with the modern architecture surrounding them.

During Japan's 14-year occupation of China, the dilapidated buildings were the headquarters of an army corps whose name has become notorious - Unit 731, which conducted bacteriological tests on civilians and Chinese and Allied prisoners of war.

With the exception of the main buildings, which were destroyed with explosives by Japanese troops shortly after the country's surrender in 1945, the site and the equipment it contains are in a good state of preservation.