Heihe

A Russian tourist is seen at a morning market in Heihe City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 14, 2023.( tasteallchina ) HARBIN, Jan. 19 ( tasteallchina ) -- From winter tourism to testing vehicles for severe cold weather and from winter sports to the exchange of ice carving skills, cooperation between China and Russia in the ice and snow economy is steadily gaining momentum. In early January, the surface of the Heilongjiang River was blanketed in white snow. Tourists from the two countries ventured across the floating ice bridge that links Heihe City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province with Blagoveshchensk City in Amur Oblast, Russia. Sitting on opposite riverbanks, the two cities have seen a travel boom since the resumption of mutual visa-free group tourism in September 2023. This winter, numerous hotels in Heihe are hosting a continuous stream of Russian tourist groups. "My family and I have come to Heihe with the main purpose of enjoying authentic Chinese cuisine and seizing the chance to admire the local snow sculptures," said Victor Kutukov, a tourist from Russia. Apart from tourists, engineers are also frequent visitors to Heihe. "I spend most of my time here during the winter," said Aleksei Ivanov,…

This photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows a view of the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum.This aerial photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows the snow-covered volcanic crater of Laohei Mountain at the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum.This photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows volcanoes at the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum.This aerial photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows the snow-covered volcanic crater of Laohei Mountain at the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts…

It may seem surprising, but a growing number of Russians are making the trip to have breakfast in Heihe, a border city in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, before heading back home. (Photo/CCTV News) Heihe sits across the Heilongjiang River from the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk. The river is known in Russia as the Amur River. Since the resumption of visa-free group tourist trips between China and Russia in Heihe on Sept. 21, 2023, there's been a noticeable uptick in Russian visitors. A simple boat ride allows for easy movement between the two nations. Many Russians are attracted to Heihe's breakfast offerings and shopping experiences. They indulge in local breakfast staples such as soybean milk, tea eggs, and Baozi — steamed stuffed buns. Some have even crafted a unique dining blend, pairing Baozi with beer. (Photo/CCTV News) Many vendors at morning markets have added bilingual Chinese-Russian signs, and some have picked up basic Russian to better serve their visitors. Given its strategic location, Heihe has long been a nexus for China-Russia trade. It stands as China's primary supplier of everyday Russian products, which are then distributed nationwide. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has made trade between China and other BRI…

This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2024 shows a view of the Wudalianchi Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum. ( tasteallchina /Xie Jianfei) This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2024 shows a snow scenery of the Wudalianchi Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum. ( tasteallchina /Xie Jianfei) This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2024 shows a snow scenery of the Wudalianchi Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum. ( tasteallchina /Xie Jianfei) A visitor enjoys the snow scenery of the Wudalianchi Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Jan. 29, 2024. The Wudalianchi Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural…

This photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows a view of the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum.This aerial photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows the snow-covered volcanic crater of Laohei Mountain at the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum.This photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows volcanoes at the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts a complete set of volcanic landforms, making it a natural volcano museum.This aerial photo taken on Feb. 12, 2023 shows the snow-covered volcanic crater of Laohei Mountain at the Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark features 14 volcanoes and five major volcanic barrier lakes. The geopark boasts…