Just got back from Heixiazi Island, still feeling the effects!
The moment I stepped off the car, the wind was filled with the cool, moist air of the Heilongjiang and Ussuri Rivers 🌬️. Looking out, there were endless green meadows stretching to the horizon and a blindingly blue sky. When the Sino-Russian border marker stood by the roadside, I suddenly got goosebumps. That feeling of truly standing on the easternmost edge of our motherland was truly amazing 🥹
You absolutely must go see the sunrise before dawn!! 🌅 I'm speechless at the feeling of the first rays of sunlight in all of China falling on your face. The river to the east is bathed in a golden glow, with a few small fishing boats floating on its surface. In the distance, the spires of a Russian church gleam softly in the morning light. Any three photos you take on your phone could be used as wallpapers. 📸
The wooden boardwalk in the wetland park creaks and groans underfoot. 🦋 A few chubby little squirrels dart out from the roadside, swaggering past your feet without a care in the world. Large patches of water lilies float in the wetland's ponds, and wild ducks with their chicks splash around. If you're lucky, you might even spot a red-crowned crane flapping its wings and flying through the reeds. Standing there, even your breath seems to slow down. 🍃
A stroll around Dongji Square in the evening is even more amazing! A huge sculpture of the character "东" (Dong, meaning east) stands prominently in the center of the square. The wind makes the national flag flutter loudly. Looking further afield, the confluence of two rivers reveals waters of varying shades, one deep and one light. Many people line the banks, cameras in hand, waiting for the sunset. They chat amongst themselves, all friends from across the country who have come specifically to see the scenery of Dongji. The lively atmosphere is so comforting!
⚠️A word of caution for those planning a trip: The temperature difference between day and night on the island is enormous! Even in summer, bring a thick coat. The river wind will chill you to the bone in no time, and the mosquitoes are incredibly fierce—spray on mosquito repellent like crazy!
I'm so glad I came. It's not one of those crowded, trendy tourist spots; it's a place where you can quietly experience all the romance and awe. 💛 I'll definitely come back in winter to see it covered in a blanket of white snow!!
#HeixiaziIsland #DongjiTrip #OffTheBeatenPathTravelDestinationInChina