Sanjiang Plain Nature Reserve

Sanjiang Plain Nature Reserve

The Sanjiang Plain is situated at the convergence of the Heilongjiang, Songhua, and Ussuri rivers. It is a low-lying, flat plain formed by prolonged tectonic subsidence and the accumulation of silt from the three rivers. The Wanda Mountain Range, stretching across the middle of the plain, divides it into northern and southern parts: the northern section is a marshy low plain, spanning more than 40,000 square kilometers, also known as the narrow-definition Sanjiang Plain or the Hejiang Plain; the southern section is an alluvial-lacustrine marshy plain formed jointly by the Ussuri River, its tributaries, and Xingkai Lake, covering an area of 8,800 square kilometers, also referred to as the Muling-Xingkai Plain. The Hejiang Plain is surrounded by mountains on three sides: the western side is the Qinghei Mountain, a branch of the Lesser Khingan Mountains; the southern side is the FenShuiGang, a spur of the Wanda Mountain; and the eastern side is the Nandan Hadaling, the main ridge of the Wanda Mountain.

The vast, flat terrain of the Sanjiang Plain, its cold and humid climate with concentrated summer and autumn rainfall, slow river runoff, sudden flood peaks, and the heavy, seasonally freezing and thawing soil have led to long-term surface waterlogging and excessive water accumulation. This has resulted in extensive marsh water bodies and marshy vegetation and soil, creating a unique marsh landscape. Marshes and marshy land cover approximately 2.4 million hectares, making it the largest marsh distribution area in China. Hydrophytic and marsh plants mainly include Calamagrostis angustifolia, Salix brachypoda, Carex species, and reeds. Among these, Carex marshes are the most widespread, accounting for about 85% of the total marsh area, followed by reed marshes. The main soil types are black soil, albic soil, meadow soil, and marsh soil, with meadow soil and marsh soil being the most extensively distributed. The Sanjiang Plain was historically known as the "Great Northern Wilderness." Before large-scale reclamation in the 1950s, it featured boundless meadows and marshes, along with stretches of forests and abundant wildlife. After reclamation, many large state-owned farms were established, transforming the "Great Northern Wilderness" into the "Great Northern Granary," making it an important national commodity grain base. At the same time, the region’s ecological balance has been somewhat disrupted, with deteriorating climatic conditions, increased floods and droughts, intensified wind damage, severe soil erosion, and a decline in rare flora and fauna. In the future, natural resources should be utilized rationally to promote the comprehensive development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline production, and fisheries. Flood prevention should be prioritized, with integrated management of waterlogging and drought, improvement of farmland water conservancy infrastructure, and the establishment of nature reserves for marsh landscapes, rare birds, and valuable fish species.

Best Travel Seasons for Sanjiang Nature Reserve:

The best seasons to visit the Sanjiang Nature Reserve are winter and summer. In winter, the vast snowy landscape offers opportunities for hunting and skiing, while in summer, golden wheat fields, fragrant rice blossoms, layered mountains, and crisscrossing rivers create a picturesque scene.

Transportation to Sanjiang Nature Reserve:

First, take a bus from opposite Harbin Railway Station to Jiamusi, with a bus departing every half hour and a fare of 86 yuan. Upon arriving in Jiamusi, there are buses to the Sanjiang Nature Reserve in Fuyuan at the same station. Two sleeper buses depart at 18:30 and 19:30, with a fare of 90 yuan and a journey of about 10 hours.

Accommodation at Sanjiang Nature Reserve:

A variety of accommodations are available for visitors, including Songhua River Hotel in Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Nongken Building, Jiamusi Hotel, Jiangtian Hotel in Jiamusi, Youyi Hotel in Jiamusi, Jinjiang Hotel in Jiamusi, Tianshuidu Hotel in Jiamusi, Jiangcheng Hotel in Jiamusi, Galaxy Hotel in Jiamusi, Great Wall Hotel in Jiamusi, Railway Branch Hotel in Jiamusi, and Sanjiang Grand Hotel.

Food at Sanjiang Nature Reserve:

“Fish that hasn’t entered the sea cannot be called fish, and one hasn’t truly visited a Hezhe family without tasting fried fish fluff.” The Hezhe people are very hospitable. “Talika” is a delicacy at fish banquets, made by slicing the thick flesh from the back of a live crucian carp into fine shreds, “brining” them with high-quality rice vinegar until the meat turns white, then removing the vinegar and mixing in minced garlic, coriander, and other seasonings, resulting in a tender and refreshing taste.

There is also a uniquely flavored dish called “fish flake,” where the Hezhe people peel the skin off fish caught in winter while the fish is just beginning to freeze, then shave it into thin layers of frozen meat, served with salt or soy sauce. Enjoying a slice of fish flake with a sip of liquor is extremely satisfying. “Fried fish fluff” refers to a method of eating fish by drying and stir-frying it into fine crumbs, similar to fish floss.