齐齐哈尔市

Why this place

Qiqihar is an old Manchu garrison town on the Nen River, and its Zhalong nature reserve is one of the most important red-crowned crane breeding sites in the world. It is also northern China's largest rail junction for the northeast borderlands.

What to see

• Zhalong Nature Reserve — red-crowned cranes and a vast reed marsh, best in spring and autumn
• Longsha Park and the old city's Manchu-era layout
• The Nen River and the surrounding wetlands

What to eat

• Northeast stews and pickled cabbage
• Freshwater fish from the Nen River

Best time

April–May and September–October for cranes; July–August for green marsh