Qiqihar

The "Crane City": Zhalong Wetland is home to the red-crowned crane, with release flights you can watch up close, while Qiqihar barbecue and Mingyue Island are local highlights.

Qiqihar lies in western Heilongjiang Province at the northern end of the Songnen Plain, with the Nen River flowing past the west of the city. It is nicknamed the "Crane City" for the red-crowned cranes of Zhalong Wetland. In the Qing dynasty it was the seat of the General of Heilongjiang and was formerly known as Bukui. There are three main areas to explore. The city itself has Longsha Park, Laodong Lake, Bukui Mosque, Dacheng Temple and the city museum, while Mingyue Island on the Nen River in the northern outskirts holds the relocated Heilongjiang General's Mansion. About 30 km southeast is Zhalong National Nature Reserve, one of the world's largest breeding grounds for red-crowned cranes, with scheduled crane release flights every day and boat trips through the reed wetlands. About 25 km southwest is Ang'angxi, with its old Chinese Eastern Railway station, Russian-style buildings, Rossiya Street and the Neolithic Ang'angxi archaeological site. The Jiangqiao Anti-Japanese War Memorial is in Tailai County, about 65 km from the city, and is worth an extra day. The best season is May–September: cranes return on migration in April–May, the wetland is greenest in June–August, and reeds turn golden in September–October. Winter temperatures drop below -20°C, but the reserve's captive-bred red-crowned cranes can still be seen dancing in the snow. Getting there: Qiqihar South Station is on the high-speed rail network, about 1.5 hours from Harbin West, and Sanjiazi Airport has flights. To reach Zhalong, take a bus or hire a car. Allow 2 days. Qiqihar barbecue is famous, with grill restaurants all over the city — a great choice for dinner.

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