The Land Of China -- Explore by Province

Heilongjiang

Heilongjiang Province is located in the northeast section of China. Covering an area of 453,100 square kilometers, the province has long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The population of Heilongjiang is over 36,700,000 and includes such nationalities as Han, Manchurian, Korean, Mongolian, Muslim, Daur, Oroqen, Hezhen, Kirgiz, and Ewenki. As China's most northern province, Heilongjiang has the highest latitude of all provinces in China. It is ranked first in China in terms of yielding timber, oil, soybeans, beets, and linen. The province contains 14 cities and prefectures and 68 counties while its capital being is set in Harbin.

an Ice Sculpture of the Summer Palace

With its beautiful landscape, Heilongjiang Province is one of China's famous scenic provinces. The province contains the Five Grand Lakes of the Volcano Park; the Jingpo Lake, which is actually a barrier lake in the high mountains; the misty Xingkai Lake with a wild expanse; the world- famous Zhalong National Preserve for Red-Crowned Cranes; and the North Pole Village where you can witness the wonderful aurora borealis. Every year, a Snow and Ice Festival is held in Harbin attracting many tourists from abroad and from home.

Capital city Harbin has a 6-month long winter with an average low temperature of -38° C. Yet despite the bitter cold, wintertime is brightened by the Ice Sculpture Festival. The festival lasts for over two months from January 5th to February 25th. On coming to the festival, one can see a world full of ice pagodas, bridges, lanterns, human figures, and palaces. It brings visitors into a magical land with its twinkling lights.

the Songhua River

The beautiful Songhua River runs along the northern side of Harbin City, its southern bank being a tourist destination with many attractions. The landscape stretches along the willow-lined banks interspersed with three parks and various flower beds. One of the parks stretches over five kilometers from east to west along the river and is considered to be China's longest river-side park. On the northern bank of the river lies the Sun Island where people go swimming, fishing, and sunbathing. In the summer, the river is dotted with yachts and boats; yet in the winter, the river freezes, allowing people to skate. In the Zhaolin Park, an ice lantern festival coupled with an international ice sculpture competition is held every winter.

the Sun Island

The Sun Island is a 38-square-kilometer sand-dune located in the Songhua River near its northern bank. In the summer, it is a resort for sun-worshippers who go for camping, bathing, sunbathing, and picnics. During the five-month-long ice-bound winter, the place turns into a world of snow and ice. An international snow sculpture competition is held here every January.

Jingpo Lake

About 110 kilometers from Darjiang City lies a huge S-shaped lake surrounded by high mountains on all sides. This lake is Jingpo Lake. It is a 90-square-kilometer lake that is known for its tranquil surroundings, mirror-like water surface, wooded mountains, and the fresh air. The scenery is particularly enchanting in the summer and autumn with the lush vegetation. Adding to the site's variety are beautiful waterfalls, volcanic craters, and kant caves.

There are many other places to visit in Heilongjiang. China's biggest bird sanctuary, the Zhalong Nature Preserve, is 280 kilometers away from Harbin. Its cranes, storks, swans, geese, and herons are best seen from April to September. From Heihe, a town at the Russian border, one can make a day trip to Siberia. Heilongjiang also has China's biggest oil field, the Daqing.