Heihe
People's Republic of China · Asia
About Heihe
Heihe is a prefecture-level city of northern Heilongjiang province, China, located on the Russian border, on the south bank of the Amur (Heilong) River, across the river from Blagoveshchensk. At the 2020 census, 1,286,401 people lived in the prefecture-level city of whom 223,832 lived in the built-up area (or metro) made of Aihui District. At the end of 2024, the resident population of the city was 1.23 million, including 823,000 in urban areas and 407,000 in rural areas.
Heihe marks the northeast terminus of the diagonal Heihe–Tengchong Line, which is sometimes used to divide China into east and west.
Heihe, formerly Aihui or Aigun, is one of the five oldest cities in Heilongjiang, along with Qiqihar, Yilan, Acheng and Hulan. Human beings started to settle in Heihe region as early as the Paleolithic Age. Later it became home to local tribes. During the Qing dynasty, Heihe was the first place troops sent to Heilongjiang were stationed. The predecessor of today's Heihe was the town established by the indigenous Ducher people of the Amur Valley in the mid-1650s. It was established some 30 km (19 mi) south...
Heihe travel guide
Understand
Border town right on the Heilongjiang River across from the Russian city Blagoveshchensk. Heihe City has a population of more than 100,000 (1.7 million in the Heihe Prefecture). The city's economy is based on selling stuff to Russians, which is helped by Heihe and Blagoveshchensk forming a free-trade zone.
Getting there
By plane As of September 2024: There are several flights a day from Harbin Taiping Airport to Heihe Aihui Airport and back, which takes a little over an hour each way. The going rate for a taxi ride from this airport to the city was 60 RMB per party, informally negotiated; this is 30-45 minutes.
By train Trains from Harbin take 10-13 hours and cost ¥43-234. Other trains include from Qiqihar (11h30; ¥38-133).
Heihenan Railway Station (黑河南站), 330 Railway Street, Aihui District. It is a railway station on the Beihei Railway upgrading line, and on July 15, 2024, Heihe South Station temporarily opened passenger service. (updated Dec 2024)
By bus Regular buses cross the river from Blagoveshchensk in winter when the river freezes over.
By road
By boat Regular ferries cross the river from Blagoveshchensk in Russia during the summer months.
See
1 Aihui History Museum (爱辉历史陈列馆; Àihuī Lìshǐchénlièguǎn) (33 km south of Heihe city centre via G331 highway), ☏ +86 452 8211007. Covers Sino-Russo history in the area. Some exhibits have Russian headings. ¥20. (updated Oct 2024) Ancient city of Aigun. Wudalianchi Volcano. Heihe Island. James River National Forest Park. James River Rafting. Heihe Port.
Do
Swimming. Take a swim in the Heilongjiang River. Boating. Take a boat trip on the Heilongjiang River.
Buy
There are many shops here specialising in Russian products, so if you are into Russian dolls and kitch Russian artifacts, this is the place.
Russian International Trade Centre. One of the best places to find Russian goods. Great Island International Trade Centre (On an island joined by bridge to Heihe). Hangar consisting of two floors selling food, clothes, household items, jewellery, and all kind of kitch Russian and Chinese stuff.
Sleep
Aihui Hotel, 11 Wenhua Street, Aihui District. Haitian Hotel, 131 Zhongyang East Main Street, Aihui District. 1 Heihe International Hotel, 48 Wangsu Street (At the river bank). Considered the best hotel in town. Spacious rooms with fridge, some with views across the river to Russia. Fitness available. Chinese restaurant, bar and cafe. (updated Oct 2024) 2 Huayuan Business Hotel (黑河华源商务酒店; Hēihé Huáyuán Shāngwùjiǔdiàn), 368 Zhongyang Street, Aihui District (爱辉区中央街368号; Àihuīqū Zhōngyāngjiē), ☏ +86 456 8276700, fax: +86 456 8276797. Check-out: 2PM. Rooms with free internet. Meeting facilities and ticket office available. Chinese restaurant and room service. Listed rates for doubles from ¥388, discounted from ¥140; breakfast ¥8. (updated Oct 2024) Yida Hotel, 51 Zhongyang East Main Street, Aihui District.
Go next
Take a boat trip to the Russian city Blagoveshchensk (Chinese citizens do not need visa, but check first if you do). In the winter, the river is frozen and can be crossed by bus.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.