Heihe Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 黑河 (hēi hé)
Population: 1,593,000
Area: 68,726 square kilometers (26,535 square miles)
Location: in the north of Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China
Administrative Division: 1 district (Aihui); 3 counties (Nenjiang, Xunke, Sunwu); 2 county-level cities (Bei'an, Wudalianchi)
Area Code: 0456
Zip Code: 164300
GDP (2018): CNY 50.51 billion (USD 7.63 billion)

Heihe is located in the northeast region of Heilongjiang Province, neighboring Yichun and Suihua to the southeast and Qiqihar to the southwest. It is separated by the Nenjiang River from Inner Mongolia on the west and by the Heilongjiang River (Amur River) from Amur Oblast of Russia on the northeast. Heihe is the most striking city on the 2,981 kilometers (1,852 miles) long border between Heilongjiang and Russia.

There is no city in northeastern China like it that faces Russia across the river in such a close distance. Walking on the street, you can see signs of Chinese and Russian languages in a row. And Heihe has close economic and cultural exchanges with Bragoveshinsk, the capital of Amur, also the nearest Russian city to Heihe. Visitors can take a short trip to this city to have a glimpse of Russia. As for Heihe travel, the Wudalianchi Global Geopark highlighting the unique volcanic landscape and five connected lakes is a must-see place. During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Heilongjiang International Volcano Tourism Festival and Wudalianchi Drinking Festival will attract a lot of visitors. A series of activities will also be held at that time, including square performances, outdoor movies, a lantern show, Dragon Dance, Yangge Dance and other large-scale 

Wudalianchi Global Geopark: Wudalianchi, also known as the Five Large Connected Lakes was formed by lava. Wudalianchi Geopark is also a comprehensive scenic area combining sightseeing, health restoration and scientific research. Around the scenic area, there are in total fourteen volcanoes. Home to a unique volcano landscape and special mineral water, it ranks among the top attractions in Heilongjiang.

Longzhu Far East International Skiing Resort and the Woniuhu Skiing Resort comprise a large ski area on the border between Northeast China and the Far East region of Russia. It is an ever fascinating outdoor holiday resort in winter. 

1. Heihe Aihui Airport is located 17 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of the city proper, and has flights to Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Zhuhai and Zhengzhou.

2. Heihe Railway Station can be found in the southeast part of the city proper. Visitors to Wudalianchi can take trains from Harbin or Qiqihar and change to buses in Bei'an City.

3. The long-distance bus station is located in the south part of city. Buses to other cities and counties of Heihe can be found there.

 See also Heihe to Harbin Train

Heihe City is adjacent to the cold, windy grasslands of Siberia. It enjoys a cold temperate continental monsoon climate with long, chilly winters, and cool, short summers. Its annual average temperature is around -1.3-0.4°C (29.7-32.7°F).

 When to Go: May to September is the best time to visit there.

 History: Heihe is one of the five ancient cities of Heilongjiang Province. Humans settled there as early as the Paleolithic Age and it became home to local tribes later. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), this was the first place troops sent to Heilongjiang were stationed.

 Physical Features: Heihe is located in the northern area of Xiaoxing'anling and east region of Daxing'anling. The city is built among undulating mountains and crisscrossing river valleys. Medium and low mountains make up the main components of Heihe's landform. Along the Heilongjiang and Nenjiang Rivers, there are plains distributed. The elevation of the city's terrain generally falls from the northwest to the southeast.

 Special Local Products: Agaric (field mushroom), mushroom, persimmon, mineral water from Wudalianchi
Note: The east section of Hailan Jie is a commercial street for Russian commodities and is the first street in China mainly selling goods from Russia.