4.8/5
钧泓Hengdaohezi Town, located in Hailin City, Heilongjiang Province, is a century-old Russian-style town born from the Chinese Eastern Railway. It is 253 kilometers from Harbin and 45 kilometers from Mudanjiang City, enjoying convenient transportation. This town, blessed by time, has become a popular new tourist destination in Northeast China in recent years due to its unique historical heritage, rich exotic atmosphere, and distinct four seasons. I. History and Culture: Railway Memories Across Time The birth of Hengdaohezi is closely linked to the Chinese Eastern Railway. After the railway construction began in 1897, it quickly became the residence of Tsarist Russian military and political organs and a transportation hub. At its peak, Russian residents accounted for more than half of the population, leaving behind more than 200 Russian-style buildings, including the Chinese Eastern Railway locomotive depot and the Church of the Entrance of the Virgin Mary, both national key cultural relics protection units. The locomotive depot, with its fan-shaped layout and 15 arched garage doors extending to the roundabout, was once the "heart" of the steam locomotive era. Today, as part of the Chinese Eastern Railway Museum, it displays retired locomotives and historical artifacts, vividly recreating the scene of the railway's golden age. The Church of the Entrance of Our Lady is renowned for its turquoise dome and exhibition on the lives of Russian émigrés, showcasing the historical context of their settlement through stories of figures like Nina. Strolling along the old streets, the yellow-walled, red-roofed wooden houses, Russian-style shops, and Chinese signs intertwine, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a European town while simultaneously exuding the vibrant energy of Northeast China. II. Nature and Ecology: A Landscape Painting Beautiful in All Seasons Hengdaohezi is located on the eastern slope of the Zhangguangcai Mountains, boasting high forest coverage, consistently excellent air quality, and abundant negative oxygen ions. In spring, the melting snow creates babbling brooks; summer offers cool and pleasant weather, perfect for hiking and exploring natural landscapes like Foshou Mountain and Yixiantian (a narrow gorge); autumn paints the mountains in vibrant colors, creating a picturesque scene against the backdrop of Russian-style architecture; winter blankets the land in silver, with excellent snow quality, earning it the nickname "Northeast Hokkaido." In recent years, the town has leveraged its ice and snow resources to create several immersive experience projects: the Reindeer Tribe offers feeding, photo opportunities, and "reindeer + skiing" packages; the Enchanted Snow Wonderland Time Town integrates Russian-style homestays, snow tubing tracks, and snow hot pot, becoming a popular nighttime attraction; the ski resort features beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes suitable for skiers of all levels. Furthermore, the Hengdaohezi Northeast Tiger Forest Park, as China's largest Northeast Tiger breeding base, allows close-up observation of tigers hunting in the snow during winter. III. Experiences and Cuisine: Diverse and Integrated Local Customs - Red Culture: The nearby Qilidi Ecological Village is the birthplace of "the first Party branch in Mudanjiang area." The Party History Memorial Hall tells revolutionary stories through immersive equipment. In summer, visitors can participate in mountain climbing tours, while in winter, the town offers ice and snow garden landscapes and traditional activities such as snow tubing and ice spinning tops. - Film and Folk Customs: Weihushan Film City, based on the novel "Tracks in the Snowy Forest," recreates scenes such as Jiapigou Village and Weihu Hall, making it ideal for taking photos and experiencing the culture of bandit suppression. The town boasts a thriving photography service, where tourists can don Russian attire and capture retro moments at the railway crossing and in front of the church. - Local Delicacies: The signature dish of Hengdaohezi is the thin, chewy, and springy "jinbing" (a type of flatbread), a must-try with shredded pork in sweet bean sauce or dried tofu with green peppers. Other dishes worth trying include fusion cuisine of Northeast China and Russian flavors such as "killing pig stew," iron pot stew, and Russian rye bread, as well as local mountain produce (like black fungus and pine nuts). IV. Transportation and Accommodation: Convenient and Comfortable Travel Options - Transportation: The high-speed train from Harbin to Hengdaohezi East Station takes only 1.5 hours, while from Mudanjiang city center, it's about an hour by train or bus. There are two train stations in the town: Hengdaohezi Station is located in the town center, while Hengdaohezi East Station requires a 10-minute taxi ride (shared ride 10 yuan/person). In winter, driving or hiring a car is recommended, as some roads are snowy and slippery. - Accommodation: Guesthouses are the most popular choice, ranging from high-end Russian-style guesthouses (such as Yi Bai Guesthouse, around 1500 RMB/night) to more affordable family-run hotels (around 200-300 RMB/night). Some guesthouses offer thoughtful services such as ski equipment rental and airport/train station pick-up and drop-off. V. Visitor Reviews and Suggestions - Advantages: Well-preserved historical buildings, unique snow and ice landscapes, suitable for in-depth travel and photography enthusiasts; high cost-performance ratio, with affordable dining and accommodation. - Disadvantages: Some shops are closed during the off-season, and commercial facilities still need improvement; some roads have deep snow in winter, so caution is advised. - Tips: It is recommended to travel during the spring and autumn seasons to avoid the summer crowds; in winter, dress warmly and bring non-slip shoes; book guesthouses and tickets in advance, especially during holidays. The charm of Hengdaohezi lies in its preservation of the vicissitudes of the railway era while radiating new vitality amidst ice, snow, and nature. Whether strolling through the old streets to experience history or playing with reindeer in the snow, this town allows you to slow down and experience the gentleness and weight of time. As one tourist put it, "Hengdaohezi is not a tourist attraction, but a way of life."
4.7/5
凡尘修行小垦因The tigers in the wildlife area are worth seeing, and the 10-yuan bus pass is a must-buy. Other attractions are a bit lacking. The scenic area would be more interesting if it added some explanations and educational content. It's a great subject matter, but it doesn't feel well-managed.
4.5/5
巴拿马淳于髡The scenic area isn't large, and you can easily explore it in an hour. The main areas are Jiapigou and Hailin Town. The license plate for Hailin Town is decent, but the Wohu Court is a bit small and lacks grandeur. It's not as impressive as it's portrayed in movies and TV series. Overall, it's just okay, just for the nostalgia.
4.7/5
gz当地向导伊妹儿I watched others skiing at the Yabuli Ski Resort. Although I didn’t get to experience skiing myself, I had a lot of fun watching. It was a pity that my cell phone was not powerful and it froze after ten seconds outdoors.
4.2/5
黄金小薯条Yabuli Ski Resort ⛷️🏂 is actually quite cost-effective outside of peak season because they have promotions! (Peak season is a different story... there's nothing you can do about it, for example, when the Ice and Snow World is open, or during Chinese New Year, that's peak season!) For beginners, I still recommend using skis 🎿 (you'll get the hang of it after a few falls) before trying snowboarding 🏂 (you'll fall and tumble, hahaha). Honestly, snowboarding is much harder than skiing ⛷️!
4.1/5
Anonymous userThe ski resort is much more cost-effective than Yabuli Ski Resort. The tickets are cheaper, it is closer than Yabuli, and you don't need to rent a helmet. The rent is about the same as the ticket. It is useless unless you go to the intermediate or advanced level. The coaches are more expensive, so you should understand it clearly in advance.
4.6/5
亲亲母子Volga Manor in winter was absolutely stunning for us southerners. The Russian-style architecture blended perfectly with the snow-covered landscape, making for incredibly photogenic photos. Definitely worth recommending.
4.6/5
三晋龙少Tianhengshan Ice and Snow Sports World is a large ski resort newly built in Harbin in 2018. It has very good snow quality, advanced facilities and ski equipment, and many ski trails, divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Tianhengshan Ski Resort is not far from the city of Harbin and can be reached by bus. It has convenient transportation and is the best choice for ski enthusiasts.
4.2/5
yccuiHow can a southern little potato not ski when he comes to the north? Home Fun hired a coach to teach me the beginner's slopes one by one. It was quite friendly to me. I only fell a few times and then I could try it slowly. Skiing is great.
4.5/5
悠悠The place is like a palace, magnificent and glittering, and offers great value for money. The only downside is that you have to climb stairs. The elevators don't work, which is understandable for a free attraction, but I hope there's a fast-track service for elderly tourists.
