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The Greater Khingan Range is the western component of the Greater Khingan Range. It is located in the Greater Khingan Range area of Heilongjiang Province and the northeast of Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is the watershed between the Inner Mongolia Plateau and the Songliao Plain.
The Greater Khingan Range stretches from the banks of the Heilongjiang River in the north to the upper valley of the Xilamulun River in the south, running northeast-southwest. It stretches over 1,200 kilometers and is 200-300 kilometers wide, reaching an elevation of 1,100-1,400 meters. Its main peak is Mount Suoyueerji. Densely forested, the Greater Khingan Range is one of China's important forestry bases. Key tree species include Larix gmelinii, Pinus sylvestris, Picea rubra, Betula platyphylla, Quercus mongolica, and Populus davidiana. The Greater Khingan Range's birch forests are a unique sight, offering unique beauty in each season. Autumn is particularly spectacular, when the mountains blanketed in golden foliage, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere, attracting numerous visitors annually.
In addition, there are Mohe, Yanzhigou, Stone Forest, Wudaohuolu Island Film and Television Base, Fenglin Nature Reserve, Nirki Reservoir, Daxinganling Resource Museum, Luogu River, Yingshanhong Ski Resort, Aihui City, and a series of other natural and cultural landscapes.
The cold temperate continental monsoon climate has long winters and short summers. Especially in the Mohe and Luoguhe areas, the winter lasts for more than 7 months, while the daylight hours are very short, only about 2 months in the summer. However, from June to August each year, the daylight hours can reach 17 hours.
Best time to travel: All seasons, but best in summer and autumn
birch forest
The birch forest resembles a fantasy fairytale, breathtakingly beautiful. Birch trees resemble northern poplars, standing tall and majestic, like swords reaching towards the northern sky. Some, or even just a few, grow into large trees with forked branches and broad, rounded crowns, showcasing a unique charm. Birch trees often grow alongside larch and musk pine. There are also isolated birch forests, and the birch forests along the highway are a breathtaking sight, with dense rows of white-gray trunks flashing by. Sometimes, when the wind blows, the leaves at the treetops are tossed back, revealing the silvery-white undersides, like a tree half-blooming with white flowers.
Arctic Village
Arctic Village, formerly known as Mohe Village and also as Mohe Township, is China's northernmost tourist attraction. Here, you can discover unique Chinese landmarks, including the northernmost homestead, the northernmost outpost, and the northernmost post office. Arctic Village is renowned for its Northern Lights and the phenomenon of mid-day. It's the only place in my country where you can potentially observe the aurora borealis, though the chances are slim.
Beihong Village
Beihong Village lies at the northernmost tip of China, on the Sino-Russian border. A true northernmost village, Beihong Village is nestled in the northernmost mountains of the Greater Khingan Range. Surrounded by dense, untouched forest, the villagers lack access to tap water, relying instead on pressurized wells for their water needs. Deforestation has left the Greater Khingan Range with few towering trees, and rare animals are even fewer. Only this small, geographically remote village, Beihong, retains a touch of its pristine atmosphere, offering a truly authentic taste of Northeast China.
Heilongjiang First Bay
It is a unique landscape formed by the rapid backflow of the Heilongjiang River. It has different scenes in each season. You can overlook the panoramic view from the top of the mountain. It is magnificent and very spectacular.
Arctic Village: Regular ticket 75 RMB
Heilongjiang First Bay and Wusuli Shoal are 50 yuan per person, and students can enjoy half price.
All day
Daxing’anling (Greater Khingan Range) is one of China’s major cold temperate forest regions. It is ecologically significant for its vast primeval and old-growth forests, biodiversity (flora & fauna adapted to cold climates), and as a forestry base. It also contains cultural heritage linked to indigenous peoples (e.g. Oroqen), frontier settlements, and unique natural phenomena due to its high latitude (e.g. extreme cold, long daylight in summer, rime ice) which attract tourism.
Daxing’anling is in the northernmost part of Heilongjiang Province, stretching over large forested mountainous areas. Key sub-regions include Jiagedaqi District, Mohe County, Huma County, Xunke, etc. Access:
Many natural reserves, villages, and scenic natural areas are open year-round, though access in winter can be limited by weather / snow. Best times:
I did *not* locate consistent up-to-date info on entrance fees for all natural areas / villages. Many forest parks or natural reserves may have small fees, but for remote / less developed areas, sometimes free or minimal. Tickets (if required) are usually purchased onsite or via local tourism bureaus or online travel platforms.
For popular times (winter for snow / rime ice; summer holiday weekends in Mohe / Arctic Village etc.), advance booking for lodging, transportation is advisable. For scenic spots with limited access / guided tours, early booking helps. For many natural / rural areas, booking same-day may be okay in off-peak.
To get a solid experience including nature reserves, forest hikes, Mohe Arctic Village, wetland parks: plan for 3-5 days. If short on time, 1-2 days can cover a specific area (e.g. just Mohe or Jiagedaqi).
Specifics are sparse. Local guides (in Chinese) are likely available for forest/nature hikes or within tourism bureaus. Audio guides or foreign-language guided tours seem rare.
Sample itinerary for 4-5 days:
Day 1: Arrive in Jiagedaqi, explore the forest city, Beishan Forest Park, local culture, Daxing’anling Resource Museum.
Day 2: Move north toward Mohe Arctic Village, visit wetlands en route, enjoy the polar / ice-light features (if season). Overnight in Mohe.
Day 3: Explore Baiquangu Ecological Area, Ganhe Wetlands, possibly local villages.
Day 4: In winter, try snow activities; in summer, more hiking, fruit picking, explore remote forest trails (Beihong Village etc.).
Allow flexible buffer days for weather, transport delays.
There are seasonal natural phenomena (rime ice, possibly aurora borealis near the very north) which are best seen at night. Special tours (e.g. local night photography, aurora tours) may be arranged locally. But formal light shows are not widely documented.
The area is generally less crowded because it’s remote. Peak travel is during summer holidays and winter snow seasons. Weekdays, non-holiday periods and early/late in seasons (start/end summer or winter) are the quietest.
In Jiagedaqi, Mohe, and established scenic areas there are decent facilities: visitor centers, restrooms, lodging, food shops. In remote villages / deep forest, facilities are basic or limited; carry some supplies.
Some easy trails, forest parks, and town areas are manageable for elderly or children. Deep wilderness, snow/ice in winter, remote terrain, cold etc. present challenges. Disabled access is likely limited in remote areas.
Major towns and tourist sites accept bank cards and mobile payments (WeChat, Alipay). In remote areas / villages, cash is safer to carry. ATMs may be sparse.
In towns like Jiagedaqi, Mohe, Huma etc., there are restaurants serving local northeast Chinese cuisine, forest-style specialties, simple cafés. In more remote villages or forest lodges meals are basic or provided by guesthouses.
There will typically be vegetable / tofu / simple dishes, but heavy meat diet in many places. Halal food is less commonly available; best to ask ahead.
Larger hotels and lodges in Jiagedaqi, Mohe, possibly in Arctic Village. Also guesthouses, eco-lodges in villages. Prices vary; more expensive in more remote or premium scenic spots.
Typical souvenirs include forest products: wild berries, mushrooms, herbal / medicinal plants, maybe local handicrafts, forest-themed goods.
After finishing in Mohe or Jiagedaqi, one can return by train / air to larger cities like Harbin. Inter‐city & regional buses are available. Private car or charter is good for flexibility.
