Xingkai Lake

A border lake shared by China and Russia, where a 90 km sandbar beach separates the big and small lakes, the water stretches like a sea, and the Hutou Fortress preserves WWII history.

Xingkai Lake (Lake Khanka) lies southeast of Mishan, Jixi, Heilongjiang Province, on the China–Russia border. One of the largest freshwater lakes in Northeast Asia, it covers about 4,380 km², of which roughly the northern quarter belongs to China. A natural sandbar about 90 km long, the "Hugang", runs along the north shore and divides it into Greater Xingkai Lake and Lesser Xingkai Lake: the greater lake is vast as a sea and often rough, while the lesser lake is calm and fringed with dense wetlands, protected as a national nature reserve and a Ramsar wetland of international importance. This destination centres on Dangbi Town. At the western end are the Dangbi Town tourist resort and Mishan port; along the sandbar lie, in order, Baiyu Bay, the Xingkai Lake Museum, the Xinkailiu archaeological site and Xinkailiu Beach. About 150–200 km further east are the Hutou Fortress and Zhenbao Island in Hulin, part of the Xingkai Lake–Hulin border driving route, which usually involves a night in Hulin.

The best season is July–August, when the water warms up enough for swimming and the sandbar is pleasantly cool; in September the sandbar's woodland turns golden. In winter (Dec–Feb) the lake freezes over and you can watch winter fishing and enjoy ice-and-snow activities, though temperatures often drop below -25°C. Xingkai Lake whitefish (topmouth culter) is a must-try local speciality.

Getting there: fly to Jixi Xingkai Lake Airport or take a train to Mishan Station, then drive about 40 minutes to Dangbi Town; self-driving or hiring a car is recommended for the sandbar and the Hulin route. Most visitors spend 2–3 days. This is a border area, so carry your ID at all times, cooperate with border checks and do not photograph the port or military installations.

Top sights

Itineraries