Park
Hegang National Forest Park
A vast forest park covering tens of thousands of hectares of pristine boreal forest. Features hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and spectacular autumn colors.
All day
Free
The Hegang area was historically inhabited by indigenous peoples and remained sparsely populated into the early 20th century. Coal was discovered in the 1910s, and mining began in earnest during the 1930s under Japanese occupation.
After 1949, Hegang became a state-owned coal mining base. The city grew rapidly as workers arrived from across China. The planned economy era saw massive investment in mines and related infrastructure.
The city was formally established in 1949. Throughout the decades, Hegang's mines were an important source of coal for northeastern China's industrial belt.
In the 21st century, Hegang has become emblematic of the challenges facing China's resource-dependent cities. Depleted mines, economic restructuring, and population outflow have all taken their toll. However, the city's low cost of living has recently attracted new attention.
