Rented bikes link Russian visitors

After a 10-minute boat ride across the Heilong River from the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk, Elena Komisarova arrived in Heihe, Heilongjiang province, on Sunday morning.

Using a smart card purchased in Blagoveshchensk, she borrowed a bike from a rental point near the wharf and returned it 15 minutes later at Central Pedestrian Street.

"It's convenient that the card can be used in both Blagoveshchensk and Heihe," said the 29-year-old woman. "Young people like me in our city like shopping in Heihe, and riding on the tidy and clean roads is enjoyable.