Getting Close to Nature
By Our Reporter
Li Jinglin
In the spring season when flowers bloom, hiking and enjoying nature are both fashionable and eco-friendly. The Provincial Tourism Bureau has recently launched the 2012 Spring Fitness Hiking Tourism Premium Routes and Products. Centered around the 14 key tourism towns being developed in our province, the selection encompasses top hiking destinations across the region, providing more choices for people seeking vibrant and active hiking activities this spring.
“Welcome Spring at China’s Easternmost Point” Tour
Tour Route
Jiamusi—Shuangyashan—Fujin—Tongjiang—Fuyuan—Heixiazi Island
Recommended Hiking Spots
Jiamusi: Tangyuan Daliangzi River, Ying Mountain; Fuyuan: Yiligashan Mountain; Tongjiang: Jiejing Mountain National Forest Park; Shuangyashan: Qixing Peak, Dadingshan Mountain, Sifangtai Ziyunling Wild Azalea Scenic Area.
Featured Tourism Towns
"Green Rice Capital • Modern Agricultural Sightseeing Town" – Qixing Farm; "China’s Easternmost Point • Cross-border Trade Town" – Heixiazi Island
Hiking Destination Introductions
Yiligashan Mountain in Fuyuan County
Yiligashan Mountain, located within Fuyuan County, stands at an elevation of 266.5 meters, making it the highest point in the area. It is topped with a television building and an 110-meter-high TV tower. Surrounded by lush greenery and a beautiful environment, visitors can enjoy panoramic views for miles from the mountaintop, taking in the entire Fuyuan town below and the Heilongjiang River—the border river between China and Russia—to the north. From Yiligashan, you can also see the picturesque Wusuli River and the distant mountains, as well as towering watchtowers on the ridges that make for breathtaking sights. It is ideal for photography enthusiasts. In addition, Fuyuan also offers rich ecological tourism resources. Nearby, travelers can take a green-themed tour route via Toudao to reach the scenic Jidong area. The surrounding landscape features wildflowers, giant pines, waterfalls, and secluded valleys, all combining into a unique and tranquil tourist destination. Located in the lower reaches of the Mudan River, the area is also home to swamps, marshes, and diverse wetland wildlife. In summer, it is a great place for leisurely walks.
Qixing Peak Forest Park in Shuangyashan
Qixing Peak Forest Park is located in Qixing Forest Farm, Jixian County, and is a mountainous natural scenic tourism area. It gets its name from the seven uniquely shaped rocky peaks (steep cliffs), and was designated as a provincial-level forest park in 1998. It connects with two other scenic spots—Bijiashan Reservoir and Daputisi Temple—to form a one-day tour itinerary. Local wild vegetables and whole-fish banquets are specialties here.DiningWith a forest coverage rate of 85%, the park’s main peak, Qixing Peak, is the highest in the Wandashan Mountain Range, standing at 852.7 meters. It is renowned for its steep cliffs and beautiful peaks. The park is surrounded by mountains and continuous ridgelines, boasting not only rich flora and fauna but also exceptionally stunning natural scenery. In spring, everything turns green and vibrant; in summer, the sea of forests roars like galloping horses; in autumn, red fruits and green leaves paint a colorful palette; in winter, white snow covers the green pines, creating a silver-wrapped world. The majestic Qixing Peak features rugged rocks and is known as a prominent mountain in the Shuangyashan area for its grandeur, uniqueness, danger, and serenity.
“Spring Exploration in the Greater Khingan Mountains Forest Sea” Tour
Featured Tourism Towns
"Home of Korean Pine • International Forest Resort Town" – Tangwanghe Tourism Town; "Sino-Russian Border River Capital • Tri-Cultural Charm Town" – Mingshan Tourism Town
Hiking Destination Introductions
Tangwanghe
Tangwanghe features mostly low mountain and hilly terrain, with an average elevation of 436.6 meters. The Tangwanghe Stone Forest lies in the heart of the Lesser Khingan Mountains. With high forest coverage, diverse and well-preserved biological communities, it is the only site in China discovered so far with the richest variety, most complete types, and most typical features of granite geological relics. The stone forest scenic area has well-preserved geological formations, primitive and ancient natural ecology, with trees growing on rocks and rocks nestled within forests—a unique spectacle of forests and strange rocks, truly one of a kind on Earth. It combines mountains, water, forests, springs, and caves, integrating unique rocks, spectacular scenes, and striking peaks, embodying the mystical, ancient, elegant, and serene charm of the great forest. Traces of logging by workers can still be faintly seen, along with distinctive landscapes such as fallen tree clusters, decaying wood brought back to life, and animal dens, forming a unique logging heritage landscape. The area is also home to the Oroqen people, an indigenous northern Chinese ethnic group with ancient nomadic traditions.LifeThe Oroqen people’s hunting customs and ancient hanging coffins hold significant importance in China and are important local architectural and cultural landmarks.
Xuanyang Peak in the Lesser Khingan Mountains National Geological Park
Xuanyang Peak Scenic Area is located 37 kilometers southeast of Taoshan Forestry Bureau, within the Baihe Forest Farm operation area. It is a national geological park and a 4A-level national tourist attraction. Xuanyang Peak is known for its stunning scenery, peculiar rocks, perilous mountains, and graceful pines. The overlapping peaks present a majestic aura, often compared to Huangshan Mountain, hence earning the nickname “Little Huangshan of the North.” Through centuries of natural erosion, Xuanyang Peak has formed landscapes such as cliffs, stone forests, stone gates, caves, and canyons. The scenic area covers 707 hectares and includes 27 peaks, with the highest reaching 909 meters. Major attractions include Xuanyang Peak, Lion Face Mountain, One Tree Pine, Lotus Stone, Heaven’s Crack, Taoshan Unique Peaks, Eagle Beak Rock, Xuanyang Cliff, and Stone Pagoda Green Pine, among dozens of other unique sites.
Heilongjiang’s Longjiang Three Gorges in Hegang
In 2005, it was named “The Most Beautiful Place in Heilongjiang” by Chinese National Geography (Weibo) Magazine. Located in the Luobei section of the middle reaches of the Heilongjiang River, this area features the Heilongjiang River cutting through the Inner and Outer Greater Khingan Mountains, forming three gorges: the picturesque Longmen Gorge with its striking peaks, the winding and majestic Golden Dragon Gorge, and the grand and serene Jinman Gorge. As the Golden Dragon Gorge contains three smaller gorges within it—the Dragon Head Gorge, Dragon Soaring Gorge, and Dragon-Phoenix Gorge—it creates a unique sight of “large gorges within small gorges, and gorges within gorges.” The steep cliffs and layered peaks on both banks sketch a light, fresh, and bold northern landscape painting. The most fascinating aspect is that since the Heilongjiang River is the border between China and Russia, the opposite bank belongs to Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Oblast, allowing visitors to enjoy the river, take in the sights of two countries, and experience the culture of three regions.
“Spring Exploration by the Volcanic Frontier” Tour
Travel Routes
Harbin—Lanxi—Wudalianchi—Sunwu—Jinhe Farm—Heihe
Recommended Hiking Spots: Black Dragon Mountain in Wudalianchi, Jinhe Grand Canyon in Heihe, and the South Mountain of the China-Russia Ethnic Culture Park
Famous Tourism TownsWellness· Suburban Leisure Town—Jinlongshan, Mineral Spring Culture · International Volcano Resort Town—Wudalianchi
Introduction to Hiking Scenic Areas
Shangzhi Mao’ershan
The Mao’ershan Ecological Tourism Resort is located 82 kilometers southwest of Shangzhi City and 40 kilometers east of Shangzhi proper. The main peak of Mao’ershan stands at an elevation of 805 meters and earned its name for its crown-like appearance. It is one of the most striking peaks in Heilongjiang Province and is hailed as the top hiking destination in the suburbs of Harbin. The mountain features primitive and ancient landforms, composed of mid-Jurassic intermediate-acid volcanic rocks. At the summit, there is a roughly 200-square-meter flat area with a "U"-shaped clear spring, which is the highest-altitude natural mineral spring in Heilongjiang Province. The scenic area includes attractions such as Divine Turtle Mountain, the Ashi River Source Drift, the Lüjiawei Farmhouse Cultural Park, a ski training base, and Kaiyuan Temple.
Wudalianchi Black Dragon Mountain
The Wudalianchi Scenic Area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction with well-developed facilities. Nearby attractions include the North and South Drinking Springs, Longmen Stone Village, Wenbo, Crystal Palace, and White Dragon Cave, all easily accessible. Black Dragon Mountain is situated in the central part of the Wudalianchi Nature Reserve, within the core protected zone. It erupted between 1719 and 1721 and is one of the youngest volcanoes in the Wudalianchi area, also known as Old Black Mountain. The mountain is covered with rugged rocks, complemented by ancient trees in various unique shapes, along with many beautiful and moving legends that spark the imagination. From the summit, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Wudalianchi Scenic Area. The Black Dragon Mountain crater is one of the world’s best-preserved funnel-shaped volcanic craters. It is higher on the north and south sides and lower on the east and west sides. The crater is lined with perilous rocks, while its edges and outer slopes are covered with pumice, volcanic slag, and volcanic bombs.
Heihe Jinhe Grand Canyon
A treasured forest of the majestic Greater Khingan Mountains and the winding marvel of the Shi Jin River Canyon. The Jinhe Grand Canyon is shaped like the Greek letter Omega, interlinked in a yin-yang formation—rare and magical, almost like a couple in the world. The canyon stretches approximately 10 kilometers, with depths reaching over 100 meters. From high vantage points, you can see lush forests, steep western slopes, and gentler eastern ones. The clear river water forms several bends due to the unique terrain, known as the Three Bends. The canyon boasts breathtakingly beautiful and vivid scenery that is truly awe-inspiring, making visitors linger and never want to leave. In spring, the valley is blanketed with vibrant azalea blossoms, creating a dazzling and enchanting display.