Landmark
Heihe-Blagoveshchensk Border View
Stand on the Chinese bank of the Amur River and look across at the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk. The two cities are so close you can see buildings and people on the other side.
All day
Free
The Heihe area has been a frontier zone for centuries, inhabited by various indigenous peoples including the Daur, Oroqen, and Hezhen. The strategic location on the Amur River made it a point of contact between Chinese and Russian spheres of influence.
The modern city developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as trade across the Amur River grew. The city was formally established in its current form in the 1980s.
Throughout the 20th century, Heihe's importance as a border city fluctuated with the state of Sino-Soviet and later Sino-Russian relations. The border was tightly controlled during periods of tension but opened up as relations improved.
Since the 1990s, Heihe has developed as a major trade port. The city has also become a base for exploring the natural attractions of northern Heilongjiang, particularly Wudalianchi.
