Zhalantun Scenic Area

Zhalantun Scenic Area

Zhalantun Scenic Area is a national-level scenic spot.

Zhalantun Scenic Area is located in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, encompassing the urban area of Zhalantun and the mountainous regions of the Greater Khingan Range to the northwest. The mountains are densely forested with pine and birch trees, and their peaks often feature unique rock formations. The valleys are abundant with streams and springs, with plentiful water flow, and there are many waterfalls and springs hidden within the dense forests and deep valleys. These streams converge into the Yalu River and the Chuoer River, which are lined with lush vegetation, and the rivers also feature numerous green oases among the thickets, naturally forming several picturesque spots that together make up a vast and renowned scenic area. Among the most famous sites are Xiushui and the Suspension Bridge Park. Xiushui is located north of the city, where the Yalu River flows through this area and enters a flat plain, forming a fan-shaped alluvial zone with countless small islands covered in clusters of water willows of various sizes and shapes. The river water is deep and clear, flowing gently, allowing pleasure boats to navigate through. In summer, the trees provide ample shade, and wildflowers bloom along the riverbanks, making it the top summer retreat in Inner Mongolia and earning it the nickname “Little Hangzhou of Inner Mongolia.” In 1961, after a group of Chinese cultural figures visited the area, they collectively decided to name this stretch of river “Xiushui.” The renowned writer Lao She composed a poem about it: “The poetic charm of Suzhou and Hangzhou is not yet exhausted, but the secluded beauty of Zhalantun is a heaven apart. Lush green screens of mountains surround on all sides, and emerald waters wind through thousands of rows of willows. Cattle and sheep wander leisurely, while butterflies flutter busily in pairs. The springs and forests are a delight at every turn, as the green city blends into the green villages.” Suspension Bridge Park is located in the northern part of the city, surrounded by Xiushui. The park is rich in flowers and dense woods and features a uniquely designed suspension bridge, with more artificial landscapes that distinguish it from the Xiushui Scenic Area.

Major Attractions

Suspension Bridge Park

Located in the northern part of the city, Suspension Bridge Park was rated as a 4A-level tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration in 2005 and is a shining jewel of the Zhalantun Scenic Area. It is the pride of the people of Zhalantun and a symbol of the city. The park is named after the suspension bridge within it, covers an area of 68 hectares, and was built in 1905 by the Russian Eastern Railway Administration. The beautiful Suspension Bridge Park has developed into a comprehensive park that integrates natural and cultural landscapes, making it the largest park in eastern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The park is functionally divided into six areas, including a comprehensive amusement zone and an animal exhibition area.

Suspension Bridge Park is primarily known for its natural scenery, with minimal artificial embellishment, and boasts rich natural vegetation. The park features century-old suspension bridges, the One-Pillar Pavilion, and the Ken Stone Garden, among other garden structures. Zhalantun Suspension Bridge Park is located in the northern part of Zhalantun urban area in Hulunbuir, covering an area of 68 hectares. It is a comprehensive entertainment venue that combines natural and cultural landscapes. Established in 1905, the park originally featured a suspension bridge and a truss bridge, serving as a leisure spot exclusively for the Russian nobility of the time, hence its name.

In addition to the suspension bridge, visitors can also explore the Lake-Viewing Pavilion, Triangle Pavilion, Circular Lake, Moon Arch Bridge, and One-Pillar Pavilion. The park is filled with towering ancient trees, swaying willows and poplars, scattered pavilions, lush green lawns, and shimmering blue waters—truly a picturesque scene at every turn. As visitors enter the park, they are enveloped by a strong cultural atmosphere. A famous verse by Marshal Ye Jianying, “By the Yalu River in Zhalantun, several clear streams embrace the water village,” is inlaid on the screen wall. The newly built “Ken Stone Garden” features an inscription corridor engraved with poems and calligraphy by many leaders and renowned writers, including Lao She, Li Zhun, Ye Shengtao, and Hu Shaoheng. The solemnly erected Soviet Red Army Martyrs Monument and Revolutionary Heroes Memorial in the park also make it a base for patriotic education.

The park also includes an animal zone, a flower zone, and a children’s playground.

Xiushui Scenic Area

The urban area of Zhalantun is surrounded by mountains, and the Yalu River flows like a colorful ribbon dancing in the hands of a fairy, gracefully meandering through the greenery, with picturesque scenery on both banks. This forms multiple scenic areas. A two-kilometer drive north from Suspension Bridge Park leads to Xiushui Scenic Area. Here, verdant mountains and emerald waters intertwine, with lush forests and butterflies and bees flitting about. A bay of river water set against the green mountains resembles a shy maiden lowering her gaze, her serene surface reflecting her enchanting grace. At dusk, the setting sun casts a glow over the water, as if someone had sprinkled rouge, creating a dazzling brilliance that tints the river red. This is why the lake and mountain scenery here is called Xiushui.

Chaihe Scenic Area

Located 185 kilometers southwest of Zhalantun urban area, Chaihe Scenic Area is a great destination for adventure tourists. The scenery here is grand and majestic, featuring pristine forests where wild animals roam, as well as attractions such as Moon Lake and Water Curtain Cave.

Yalu River Rafting

Yalu River Rafting, located 32 kilometers north of Zhalantun urban area, is known as the “Number One Rafting Trip in the North.” On the sparkling water, colorful rubber rafts float like blooming lotuses. The rhythmic sound of paddles hitting the water, the cries of seagulls circling overhead, the splashes of water, and the laughter of people create a harmonious symphony of nature. With such a delightful, wonderful, and thrilling experience, it’s no wonder tens of thousands of tourists come here each year to ride the waves and enjoy a joyful journey back to nature.

Golden Dragon Mountain Ski Resort

Zhalantun Golden Dragon Mountain Ski Resort is located 8 kilometers northwest of Zhalantun urban area. The first phase covers an area of 100 hectares, with the mountain peak at an elevation of 582 meters and a vertical drop of 200 meters. The terrain is advantageous, with significant undulations, and the average winter temperature is -12°C. The unique terrain and climate conditions have made Golden Dragon Mountain Ski Resort one of the earliest opened, longest snow seasons, and highest-quality snow resorts in China. The resort’s facilities are capable of hosting mass alpine skiing events. The extensive snowmaking system covers all ski runs, and the over 2,000-square-meter visitor center, which features distinctive ethnic characteristics and practical design, along with snow groomers and snowmaking machines imported from Germany and Sweden, and ski boards imported from Japan, provide convenient, fast, and comfortable services for skiers.

Golden Dragon Mountain Ski Resort is a tourist destination primarily focused on dynamic activities such as skiing, grass skiing, and snowmobile rides, supplemented by sightseeing and leisure activities like artificial fishing, cable car rides, team-building training, and specialty dining. It operates year-round, combining activity and relaxation. The resort can also host some national snow sports competitions, aiming to become the best snow sports base in Inner Mongolia, promoting and popularizing skiing fitness activities. It is an ideal place for skiing enthusiasts and tourists to showcase their skills and enjoy the thrill of snow.

Historical Exhibition Hall

In 1932, the Japanese Kwantung Army cobbled together the puppet state of Manchukuo in northeastern China, dividing the Greater Khingan Range region into four provinces: Eastern, Southern, Western, and Northern Xing’an. Zhalantun served as the capital of Eastern Xing’an, becoming the gateway to the Greater Khingan Range and the Hulunbuir Grassland. The puppet emperor Puyi once visited here for an inspection. Anti-Japanese hero Su Bingwen set up defenses and resisted the Japanese here. The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army established bases here three times...

The memorial hall is housed in a Russian-style building constructed in 1925. It was originally an annex of the Russian Eastern Railway, initially serving as a summer hotel for the railway, and was converted into the Six-Nation Hotel in 1937, a gathering place for upper-class officials and gentry from Russia, Norway, Switzerland, China, Japan, and Korea. In August 1945, it became the headquarters of the 5th Cavalry Division of the Inner Mongolian People’s Self-Defense Army.

Golden Wall Ruins Scenic Area

The Golden Wall, also known as the Golden Great Wall, is a national key cultural relics protection unit. The Zhalantun Genghis Khan Section of the Golden Wall ruins is located at the southernmost tip of Zhalantun City, at the border between Hulunbuir City in Inner Mongolia and Qiqihar City in Heilongjiang Province. It serves as the southern gateway to Hulunbuir, with the Hulunbuir Landmark Square to the north of the wall. The landmark stele on the square is inscribed on three sides in Mongolian with the phrases “Enter Inner Mongolia Here,” “Enter Hulunbuir Here,” and “Enter Zhalantun Here.”

Yangqi Mountain Reservoir Tourism

Relying on the reservoir area, the development includes service facilities such as holiday villas and catering reception, as well as tourism projects like sightseeing, leisure vacations, and water recreation, allowing visitors to enjoy the reservoir while experiencing the pleasures of lakeside leisure.

Shifo Mountain Villa

Also known as Shiban Mountain Villa, Shifo Mountain Villa is located 42 kilometers north of the city in the Oroqen Ethnic Township (Nanmu). The clear Yalu River flows gently by the villa, which is nestled among trees and flowers. Surrounded by lush greenery, the villa blends mountains, water, forests, and rocks into a serene and pleasant environment. On the southern bank of the Yalu River, a massive stone slab stands by the water, its surface intricately carved with the image of a large Buddha, lifelike and vivid. The villa is named after this feature, though it is now more commonly known as Shifo Mountain Villa. The main structures of the villa include a waterside restaurant and a river-crossing iron bridge.

Shiban Mountain Villa is the endpoint of the Yalu River Rafting, known as the “Number One Rafting Trip in the North.” In the height of summer, colorful kayaks flow continuously along the river. Laughter, the sound of flowing water, music, and birdsong blend together, creating a magnificent scene.

Oroqen Hunters' Tribe

The Oroqen Hunters' Tribe is located in the Oroqen Ethnic Township, about 32 kilometers northwest of Zhalantun city center. Due to the tribe's traditional lifestyle, the Oroqen people were originally nomadic hunters. The banks of the Yalu River were teeming with wildlife, and the mountains on the southern side of the river often saw wild animals roaming. As a result, the Oroqen hunters built many log cabins and conical tents (called "chum" or "tolos") on the northern bank of the river as resting spots during their hunting trips, eventually forming what is now known as the Hunters' Tribe.

When visiting the Hunters' Tribe, you can experience wooden houses and villas rich in Oroqen ethnic charm. The 3,300-square-meter ethnic hotel offers over 50 standard rooms and suites for a comfortable stay. The spacious dining hall and elegant private rooms allow you to savor local mountain delicacies and game. A meeting room of nearly 200 square meters is an excellent choice for business conferences, and the hotel’s bar and multifunctional entertainment room provide a relaxing space for leisure, travel, or business discussions. In the evening, traditional ethnic dance performances around the bonfire will let you immerse yourself in the unique culture of China’s ethnic minorities.

History Museum

The Zhalantun City Museum is managed by the Zhalantun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television, and Tourism. Established in 2005, it is located at No. 8-1 Diaqiao Road, Central Avenue, Zhalantun — a national key scenic area and a top-rated tourism city in China. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in the autonomous region and also the most distinctive museum in Hulunbuir.

The Zhalantun City Museum building was constructed in 1905. Originally a leisure venue for Russian aristocrats of the Chinese Eastern Railway, it was converted into a museum in 2005. The building features Slavic architectural style, covers a construction area of 780 square meters, and houses a collection of more than 1,000 cultural relics. It serves as an important venue for showcasing the city’s history and culture to the public.

Chinese Eastern Railway Museum

The Chinese Eastern Railway Museum is one of the most distinctive museums in Hulunbuir and the only thematic museum in China dedicated to the history of the Chinese Eastern Railway.

The Chinese Eastern Railway Museum building was constructed in 1909. The entire structure has a simple and natural character and was originally the site of the Russian Forest Police Brigade. Converted into a museum in 2008, it has a construction area of 1,020 square meters. The museum provides a comprehensive display of the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway and the entire process of the transfer of railway sovereignty, making it a significant venue for presenting the history and culture of the railway in the region. In April 2010, it was promoted to the status of Hulunbuir Chinese Eastern Railway Museum.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas