Eastern Heilongjiang Border: Khanka Lake to the Easternmost Point

A grand self-driving loop starting from Suifenhe, heading north along the China-Russia border to Fuyuan, and returning via Tongjiang and Jiamusi.

Based on the G331 Eastern Loop published by the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, this route is paced over 10 days to explore border ports, fortresses, Khanka Lake (Xingkai Lake), the Ussuri River, and Heixiazi Island, as well as Hezhe ethnic villages. The region is vast and sparsely populated, with average daily driving times of 3 to 5 hours and limited supply points on some sections. It is ideal for experienced road-trippers who love border history, grand lakes, and mighty rivers. The drive from Dongning to Dangbi is the longest day of the trip.

June to September is the best time to visit. Road construction occurs occasionally along the border; check local traffic announcements before setting off.

Day by day

Day 1 · Drive East: Hengdaohezi to Mudanjiang

Jingpo Lake（Hengdaohezi CER Locomotive Depot、Church of the Entry of the Theotokos, Hengdaohezi、Mudanjiang Riverside Park & Eight Women Monument）

Drive from Harbin along the Suiman Expressway to Hengdaohezi (about 3 hours), then continue to Mudanjiang (about 1 hour).

Stay: Mudanjiang Urban Area

Day 2 · Suifenhe National Gate & Old Streets

Suifenhe（Suifenhe National Gate、Dabailou (Secret Communication Line Memorial)、Chinese Eastern Railway Memory Museum、Qingyun Market & Russian Street）

Drive from Mudanjiang along the expressway to Suifenhe (about 1.5 hours). Take short taxi rides or walk within the city.

Keep your ID card with you, as credentials may be checked in border areas.

Stay: Central Square and Pedestrian Street

Day 3 · Dongning Fortress to Khanka Lake

Suifenhe（Dongning Fortress） → Xingkai Lake（Xingkai Lake Sandbar & Dangbi Resort）

Drive south from Suifenhe to Dongning (about 1 hour), then head through Muling and Jixi to Dangbi Town (about 5 hours).

This is the longest driving day of the trip. It is best to arrive at the fortress as soon as it opens and reach the lakeside before evening.

Stay: Dangbi Town

Day 4 · Drive East Along the Lake Ridge to Hutou

Xingkai Lake（Baiyuwan (Whitefish Bay)、Xingkai Lake Museum、Xinkailiu Beach、Hutou Fortress）

Drive east from Dangbi Town along the lake ridge to Xinkailiu (about 1 hour), then continue to Hutou Town (about 2.5 hours).

The tunnels of the Hutou Fortress are damp and cold; bring a jacket. Leave at least 2 hours before the afternoon closing time.

Stay: Hutou Town

Day 5 · Zhenbao Island to Raohe County

Raohe（Zhenbao Island、Raohe Riverside Park & Border River Night Market）

Drive north from Hutou along the Ussuri River to Zhenbao Island (about 2.5 hours), then continue to Raohe (about 1.5 hours).

The Zhenbao Island area is a sensitive military zone; follow regulations regarding photography and entry.

Stay: Raohe County Seat

Day 6 · Border River, Hezhe Culture & China's Easternmost Point

Raohe（Xiaonanshan Site & Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Monument、Wusuli (Ussuri) River Cruise & Wetland Park、Sipai Hezhe (Nanai) Folk Park） → Fuyuan（Zhuaji Hezhe Village）

Enjoy the river in Raohe in the morning, then drive north along the S210 for about 3.5 hours to Fuyuan's Dongji (Easternmost) area, passing through farm roads.

Gas stations are sparse along the way; fill up your tank before leaving Raohe.

Stay: Dongji Square Area

Day 7 · Dongji Sunrise & Heixiazi Island

Fuyuan（Dongji Square、Heixiazi Island (Bolshoy Ussuriysky)、Dongji Pagoda、Heixiazi Wild Bear Park）

Walk to Dongji Square in the early morning, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to go onto the island (private cars are not allowed). Spend the day exploring.

Bring your ID card to the island. The Bear Park requires advance booking. Sunrise is very early in summer, around 3:00 AM.

Stay: Dongji Square Area

Day 8 · Fish Exhibition Hall, Jiejinkou & Sanjiangkou

Fuyuan（China Fuyuan Fish Museum） → Tongjiang（Jiejinkou Hezhe Ethnic Cultural Village、Sanjiangkou Eco-Tourism Area）

Drive from the Dongji area to Fuyuan's urban area (about 40 minutes), head west to Jiejinkou (about 2.5 hours), and then to Sanjiangkou (about 1 hour).

The distinct two-color waters of the Heilongjiang and Songhua rivers are most visible under the evening light.

Stay: Around Sanjiangkou Scenic Area

Day 9 · Hezhe Culture to Jiamusi

Tongjiang（Tongjiang Hezhe Culture Center） → Jiamusi

Visit the Tongjiang Cultural Center in the morning, then drive along the Tongsan Expressway to Jiamusi (about 2.5 hours).

Stay: Jiamusi Urban Area

Day 10 · Expressway Return to Harbin

Harbin

Drive from Jiamusi along the Hatong Expressway back to Harbin (about 380 km, taking about 4.5 hours).