Heilongjiang: Volcanoes, Forests and Winter Landscapes

Travelers who choose Heilongjiang as a destination encounter a region whose character is strongly shaped by nature and winter. Its extremely cold climate and cultural and natural ice and snow landscapes provide an outstanding foundation for winter tourism. At the same time, volcanic lakes, forests, extensive wetlands, river landscapes and regional culture offer different ways to explore the province. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether geology, wildlife or history will be the main focus.

Volcanic Lakes and Geological Landscapes

At the UNESCO Global Geopark Jingpohu, you can raft on Jingpo Lake or hike through Crater Forest Park. There, your exploration takes you into a primeval forest belt formed by a volcanic collapse. The lake is China’s largest alpine lava lake and was created by volcanic eruptions more than 10,000 years ago. Rafting and hiking offer two different perspectives on this landscape: one from the water, the other in the forest. Conditions for both activities can vary by season. At Jingpo Lake, a feast featuring a variety of fish dishes and the specialty “one fish, sixteen preparations” are also among the well-known culinary experiences.

The Wudalianchi Scenic Area brings together several volcanic landforms across a large area: it covers 1,060 square kilometers and includes 14 volcanoes from different eruption phases and five volcanic barrier lakes arranged like pearls. The area is a versatile destination for sightseeing, health and wellness stays, mineral spring development and scientific exploration. Its defining features include natural cold mineral spring water, which is said to have particularly beneficial health and therapeutic effects.

Forests, Wetlands and River Landscapes

Heilongjiang is home to China’s largest contiguous forest area, which includes the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains, as well as China’s largest contiguous wetland landscape. In the Tangwanghe Forest Sea Stone Forest Scenic Area, forest and rock landscapes come together: it covers 19,000 hectares, with forest coverage of 99.8 percent. The area is home to more than 360 species of wild animals and plants, as well as more than 800 insect and bird species.

Those particularly interested in birds and wetlands will find a dedicated focus at the Zhalong Ecotourism Area. It is China’s first dedicated bird-watching area and is known for its pristine wetland landscape and rich waterbird populations. Sun Island, meanwhile, is designated as a national wetland park and is currently China’s largest urban riverside ecological zone. Together with the Heilongjiang, Ussuri and Songhua rivers, and Xingkai, Jingpo, Lianhua and Wudalianchi lakes, these places are among the province’s river and lake tourism resources.

One striking river formation is the First Bend of the Longjiang: an Ω-shaped curve formed where the upper reaches of the Heilongjiang flow through the Hongqiling section. At the First Bend, visitors can stay in wooden cabins, take forest walks, relax by the Heilongjiang and visit Sisuo Lake. The Arctic Village Scenic Area is administratively part of Arctic Town in Mohe, lies 77 kilometers from Mohe and covers 16 square kilometers. It is located on the southern bank of the upper reaches of the Heilongjiang, at the northern foot of the Greater Khingan Mountains; across the river lies Russia.

Architecture and Living Cultural Traditions

The Russian-influenced historic town of Hengdaohezi has 256 Russian buildings, including 104 protected cultural heritage buildings, and is located in the old town center of Hengdao in Heilongjiang. Another historical landmark is the site of Shangjing Longquanfu, the Bohai Kingdom’s capital during the Tang dynasty, which is also located in Heilongjiang.

Oral and performing traditions are also part of the province’s cultural diversity. Zandanren is a traditional Oroqen singing form associated with a hunter’s way of life and found, among other places, in Huma and Tahe counties and the Daxing’anling area. Imakan is a storytelling performing art of the Hezhen people, found in Hezhen settlements in Heilongjiang. It has existed since at least the late 19th or early 20th century and is considered a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in urgent need of safeguarding. Architecture, historic sites and these traditions reveal different facets of regional history and culture.

Trip Ideas and Routes

For a trip where the journey itself is the focus, the G331 self-drive corridor in Heilongjiang’s tourism plan represents a connection between border and cross-border tourism and riverside, wetland and lake tourism. The plan also provides for a nationwide network of walking and trekking trails, road cycling route networks, and tourist mountain biking routes with codes of conduct. The range of travel interests described thus extends from water and forest landscapes to planned hiking and cycling routes.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Mudanjiang, Harbin, Daqing, Qiqihar, Jiamusi, Jixi, Heihe, Greater Khingan Mountains, Suihua, Shuangyashan, Yichun, Hegang, Qitaihe.

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