七台河市

Why this place

Qitaihe is one of Heilongjiang's coal cities, small and industrial, in the forested foothills west of the Ussuri. It is not on most itineraries, but it is a real northeast coal town, and the surrounding hills are good walking country.

What to see

• The Khingan foothills and the Wanda Mountain parks
• The Wanbao and Taoshan coal mining heritage sites
• Riverside parks along the Wandashan foothills

What to eat

• Northeast dumplings and stews
• Mountain mushrooms and wild vegetables

Best time

June–September