Frontier Destination

Jiamusi, which is near the border with Russia in Heilongjiang province, is known as the first Chinese city to see sunrise everyday as it sits near the easternmost tip of the country.

With a population of 2.4 million, Jiamusi is close to several key border attractions.

Russian cities across border rivers attract hordes of Russians who come for business, study and recreation.

One of the key tourist attractions near Jiamusi is the Chinese part of Heixiazi (Bolshoy Ussuriysky), a Sino-Russian border island located at the intersection of the Heilongjiang (Amur) and Ussuri river. The western half of the island now belongs to China, while the other half belongs to Russia.

The Chinese part of the island features a wetland nature reserve, a former Russian military camp and monuments that mark China's boundary with Russia, has been open to Chinese tourists since 2011.

Besides unique border-town scenes, Jiamusi has also earned nationwide distinctions as a top Chinese garden city and summer resort. It also boasts one of the best choreographed dances in a public square, which attracts Da Ma or the old women who gather every morning and evening to dance.

An orthodox church on the Russian side of Heixiazi Island.

A wetland park on the Chinese side of Heixiazi Island.

A bridge on Heixiazi Island.

The Heilong River between Fuyuan county near Jiamusi and Russia's Khabarovsk. Photos Provided to China Daily

Russian tourists learn how to make Chinese dumplings in Jiamusi.

Sunrise in neighboring Fuyuan county.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 11/07/2014 page4)