Northeast China's lesser-known tourist routes: Crossing the Greater Khingan Range, driving along the Sino-Russian border highway, and hitting the northernmost point
Where is Daxinganling?
The Greater Khingan Range is located in the Greater Khingan Range area of Heilongjiang Province and northeastern Inner Mongolia. It is the watershed between the Inner Mongolia Plateau and the Songliao Plain and is the western component of the Greater Khingan Range.
The Greater Khingan Range runs from northeast to southwest, with dense virgin forests. The local birch forests are particularly unique. The scenery changes throughout the year, and being in the woods is like being in a fairyland. Every year, it attracts many tourists to come and see its beauty. With many scenic spots, it has won the titles of "China's Best Ecotourism Destination" and "China's Top Ten Most Beautiful Forests".
Seasonal gameplay
The Greater Khingan Range knows how to dress itself up: it uses green pines as shirts, white birch trees as skirts, and wears embroidered shoes.
——"Lin Hai" by Lao She
spring
"The beauty of March is gone, and the spring flowers in Xing'an are in full bloom."
In the spring in Daxinganling, the ice and snow have just begun to melt, and the weather has not yet fully awakened from winter. The grass and trees are slowly warming up. At this time, the Daxinganling Mountains not only have green tender leaves, but also red willows with red branches.
summer
In summer, the Greater Khingan Range is full of vitality, with lush forests and lush green. Walk from the forest to the grassland, from Heilongjiang to Inner Mongolia, and quietly feel the beauty of the Greater Khingan Range.
Due to the local climate, the forsythia in Arxan only begins to bloom in summer. The green meadows are dotted with pink forsythia. You can avoid the scorching heat and enjoy a cool summer in Arxan.
The birch trees are thriving in summer. The birch forest in Erguna is like a fantasy fairy tale world. When the wind blows, the leaves are blown over, revealing the silvery-white back of the leaves, as if clouds are floating on the branches. Here you can get close to elk and visit the primitive architecture unique to the Ewenki people, which is very interesting.
In the summer, you can also go to the Mohe Arctic Village, gaze at the Russian village on the river bank, check in at the Ussuri shallows, and explore the northernmost defense outpost. If you come to the Arctic Village during the summer solstice, you will be lucky enough to experience the polar day phenomenon that only occurs here.
autumn
In autumn, the birch leaves turn golden yellow and rustle in the autumn wind. Hiking through the birch forest, walking into the vast sea of woods, and heading to the Ewenki reindeer park, in such a primeval forest, you will not only not feel the bleakness of autumn, but will instead feel the warmth of life.
Arxan in autumn is a dream destination for all photography enthusiasts. After the autumn frost, the mountains turn red and the forests are dyed in all colors. The most important thing not to miss here in autumn is the largest group of Tianchi Lakes in China. Currently discovered are Tianchi Lake, Dichi Lake, Tuofengling Tianchi Lake, Shuanggou Mountain Tianchi Lake, etc.
winter
Here is China's most unique snow-viewing resort - Arctic Village. It is the coldest place in my country in winter and also the most worthwhile place to visit in winter. You can enjoy a hot pot on ice, check in at popular destinations such as the Christmas Village and the Reindeer Park, watch horse-drawn sleighs and winter fishing on ice, and experience all kinds of magical winter experiences. Aren't you excited?
Winter in Arxan is long but not dull. Here, you'll find unparalleled snow and ice resources: witness rime in the snowy forests, soak in hot springs at the hot spring museum, and ski in the mountains.
Explore the Greater Khingan Range with one route
Take a small car and head north to the northernmost part of China. Along the way, you can enjoy delicious Russian food, experience authentic Northeastern life, listen to Russian saxophone music, and feel the dazzling stars that cannot be seen in the city:
Daily itinerary reference
DAY1: Meet in Harbin
DAY 2: Harbin - Laoheishan Volcano - Gelaqiushan Volcano Tianchi - Wudalianchi
DAY3: Wudalianchi - Aihui History Exhibition Hall - Educated Youth Museum - Heihe
DAY 4: Heihe - Sino-Russian Ethnic Customs Park - Bashili Bend - Luding Mountain - Huma
DAY 5: Huma - Longjiang First Bend - Wusuli Shoal - Beihong Village
DAY6: Beihong Village - Birch Forest Hiking - Arctic Village
DAY7: Arctic Village - Reindeer Park - Mohe (optional stop in Mohe)
DAY8: Mohe-Harbin disband
Attractions along the way
Wudalianchi
Wudalianchi is a precious heritage left to mankind by Quaternary volcanic activity. There are 14 volcanic bodies and a series of volcanic mineral springs distributed here, which together constitute a unique volcanic landscape with beautiful mountains, secluded waters, strange springs and bizarre rocks.
Laohei Mountain, the highest volcano in the Wudalianchi Scenic Area, represents a potassium-rich volcanic belt. A pedestrian trail surrounds the crater, allowing tourists to stroll around and gaze down at the crater floor. They can also experience the awe-inspiring lava caves and the myriad forms of upside-down lava within.
The First Bend of Longjiang River
The Heilongjiang River rushes down from its source, and when it flows through the Greater Khingan Range, it suddenly turns back, forming this unique O-shaped landscape. On the island surrounded by the river, a circle of golden edge zone composed of pebbles and yellow sand has formed, so it is also called "Golden Ring Island".
In summer and autumn, there are no surging waves or turbulent waves, but a kind of tranquil beauty surrounded by the river; in winter, you can feel the majestic momentum of the extremely cold weather, with pine forests standing on the isolated island and the river surface covered with silver. Looking from above, the black and white are distinct, which can be called a border wonder.
birch forest
The white birch tree is cold-resistant and is known as the "national tree of Russia." It is found in Northeast my country, including the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountain. So, which specific birch forests are located in the Greater Khingan Mountains?
Erguna in the Greater Khingan Range forest area of Inner Mongolia is known as "the most beautiful birch forest in China". In late autumn, the light yellow birch leaves, red poplar leaves, and lush camphor pine leaves are intertwined, coupled with the reindeer living here and the unique birch bark buildings of the Ewenki ethnic group, it is as colorful as a fairy tale.
Beihong Village
Beihong Village belongs to Beiji Township, Mohe County, Heilongjiang Province. It is a pure land far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is located in the mountains in the northernmost part of Daxinganling. It is surrounded by undeveloped primeval forests. Compared with Beiji Village, it retains a more primitive atmosphere and almost looks like an original ecological village.
Every morning, the morning sun shines on this small border village, highlighting a unique tranquility.
Most importantly! Geographically, the "northernmost village in China" is actually Beihong Village, which is only four minutes away in latitude. Located northeast of Mohe, Beihong Village's coordinates are 53 degrees 33 minutes north latitude and 123 degrees 17 minutes east longitude, a difference of four minutes from Beiji Village's 53 degrees 29 minutes north latitude.
Arctic Village
Located in Mohe Township, Mohe County, Daxing'anling Prefecture, Heilongjiang Province, it offers a variety of ice and snow tourism and entertainment projects in winter, and is the best place in China to experience the polar day phenomenon in summer.
From Mohe City to the Arctic Village, there are various ways to "find the north". In the woods by the river, there is a wooden boardwalk leading to the depths of the jungle. It winds and twists, and you can see countless "north" characters along the way.
It is worth mentioning that chasing the aurora in the Arctic Village is actually a rare opportunity, but watching the starry sky at night is enough to make up for the cost.
Conclusion
Trek along the riverbank in -20°C winter; stroll through the woods amidst the bleak fallen leaves; and experience a wealth of activities in the dreamy Arctic Snow Country. Each season offers a different scene. Retrace the path of the educated youth, drive along the Sino-Russian border highway, visit the northernmost point, and traverse the long-desired Greater Khingan Range!
