Heihe City Area

Facing Russia's Blagoveshchensk across the river, with the ancient town of Aihui bearing witness to modern history, Russian-style riverside charm and cross-border day trips.

Heihe lies in northern Heilongjiang Province on the south bank of the middle Amur (Heilong) River, directly opposite Blagoveshchensk, capital of Russia's Amur Oblast. At their closest the two cities are less than a kilometre apart, making them the closest and largest pair of "twin cities" on the China–Russia border. The city's sights cluster along the river: stroll through Heilongjiang Park gazing across to the far bank, wander the Russian-style Central Street district, shop for Russian goods in the Big Heihe Island border trade zone, or catch Russian song and dance at the China–Russia Ethnic Customs Park in the western outskirts. In the southeastern suburbs, the Heihe–Blagoveshchensk road bridge opened in 2022, and you can climb the tower in Bridge Park for views. About 30 km south of the city, Aihui Town has the Aihui History Exhibition Hall, the Educated Youth Museum and Kuixing Pavilion — essential stops for understanding modern China–Russia relations and the history of the "sent-down" youth. Nearby are the Jinhe Grand Canyon, Xinsheng Oroqen Ethnic Township and WWII sites such as the Shengshan Fortress in Sunwu. With a passport you can join a cross-border day trip to Blagoveshchensk via the Big Heihe Island port. The best season is June–August, with cool weather and long days; autumn colours arrive in mid-to-late September. Winters are long and severe (often below -30°C), but bring a frozen river, winter swimming and ice-and-snow activities. Heihe has Aihui Airport and a railway station; the train from Harbin takes about 10 hours, or you can fly. Allow 2–3 days, and consider combining it with Wudalianchi to the south.

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Where to eat

Itineraries