Ergun Wetlands

The Genhe river spreads across a broad floodplain outside Ergun into one of the largest wetland systems in China, a maze of channels, oxbows and willow islands that the viewing ridge above the town overlooks in a single sweep, with the water braiding across kilometres of grassland toward the Russian border. The area around Ergun holds the Chinese-Russian communities descended from marriages between Russian settlers and Chinese labourers in the early twentieth century, recognised as one of China's ethnic groups, whose villages such as Enhe keep timber Russian-style houses, bread ovens and traditions. Beyond, the road runs north into the Greater Khingan forest and the reindeer country at Aoluguya.

The landscape

• The wetland panorama - the braided river system from the ridge viewpoint.
• The willow islands - the wooded channels within the floodplain.
• The Russian villages - timber houses and traditions at Enhe and Shiwei.
• The border river - the Ergun marking the frontier with Russia.

When to go

June to September, when the wetland is green and the days long; the water is highest in summer. Autumn brings gold grass in September. Winter is severe, with the wetland frozen and villages snowbound.

Practical notes

The viewpoint is a ticketed scenic area with boardwalks and a shuttle up the ridge. Border areas require identification and some roads are restricted. Village accommodation is basic and heavily seasonal.

Nearby

Enhe and Shiwei lie north along the border; Hailar is south.