Land's natural wonders offer different experience

I have visited many beautiful places as a worker in the tourism industry in the past years, but it is my hometown that wins my affection for the loveliest place to visit. Heilongjiang's charm is embodied in the primitive simplicity of nature.

It is a place with an ancient heritage but also displays life and vigor.

It has many natural wonders, including the 190,000 sq km of forests.

Each forest is a treasure house, with every pine or birch tree representing the difficult process of life's evolution, each animal's roaring or bird's singing demonstrating the inexhaustible power of life and each stream or brook playing the rhythm of nature.

The sound of birds' singing and insects whispering comprise a never-ending chant from night until dawn.

There are also five million hectares of wetlands, which provide important support for fragile eco-systems.

The large river of Heilong is a spectacle in itself, stretching more than 4,300 km, from the mountains and prairie to finally join the broad sea.

The river waters the flowery land of Heilongjiang and nourishes the exotic scenery on the other side, and also forms a boundary between the two countries of China and Russia.

The great lakes are enchanting, such as the graceful Wudalianchi, the deep and quiet Lake Jingbo and the boundless Khanka Lake, which is magical at sunrise with the birds and fish wakening to the fishermen's songs.

In winter Heilongjiang is transformed into a fairy world of ice and snow. There are ice sculpture shows, with crystal-like and transparent temples, castles and lanterns. You can also enjoy skiing, skating and sleighing.

This is Heilongjiang, my home province, a place that gives you an experience different from any other place in the world.

The author is the director of Heilongjiang Tourism Bureau

(China Daily 05/14/2010 page17)