7 Days in Mudanjiang

The riverfront group sculpture recalls the 8 women soldiers of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army who died crossing the Wusihun river in 1938; the park walk downstream sets the week's pace.

1. mudanjiang banv toujiang memorial
2. mudanjiang riverfront park

The memorial tower on North Hill in the morning, then the forest reserve about 20 kilometres out — ski trails in winter, mushroom-and-fir tracks the rest of the year.

1. mudanjiang north hill park
2. mudanjiang mudanfeng forest

An hour or so west by train, the town grew with the Chinese Eastern Railway built between 1897 and 1903; the fan-shaped shed of 1903 still swings on its turntable, a timber Orthodox church keeps watch under the line, and the Linhai Xueyuan film set is close by.

1. mudanjiang hengdaohezi town

A rail ride of about 2.5 hours to a land port on tracks laid from 1897 to 1903; the gate park faces the frontier, the railway quarter keeps its era houses.

1. mudanjiang suifenhe national gate
2. mudanjiang suifenhe cer buildings

The border market stacks Russian goods by the crate — chocolate, amber, army surplus — and the rail ride back lands you in Mudanjiang by dinner.

1. mudanjiang suifenhe border market

About 180 kilometres and 3 hours northwest to the snow village; in season the eaves carry drifts past 2 metres, and the guesthouse kangs run hot.

1. mudanjiang xuexiang

A last lane walk before the day visitors, then the road back to Mudanjiang for the afternoon train or flight.

1. mudanjiang xuexiang