14 Days in Yichun (HL)

The forest museum orients the "forest capital" story of the Lesser Khingan range; an evening river walk sets the pace.

1. Yichun Forest Museum
2. riverside park

An hour north, boardwalks run under centuries-old Korean pines; linger for the tower view over the canopy.

1. Wuying National Forest Park

Granite pinnacles rise straight out of the forest; the full loop takes most of a day at photo pace.

1. Tangwang River National Park

Streams and birch groves at Shangganling; in July the understory turns blue with wild blueberries.

1. Xishui National Forest Park

Boardwalks over sedge marshes; herons and cranes pass through in the migration months.

1. Xinqing National Wetland Park

A horseshoe bend of forested river south of the city; boats and short trails fill an easy afternoon.

1. Huilongwan National Forest Park

North to the Amur border, where some of China's first described dinosaur fossils came out of the river bluffs.

1. Jiayin Dinosaur National Geopark

A forested gorge with waterfalls near the border river; cooler air and quiet paths all day.

1. Maolangou National Forest Park

A slow morning where the Heilongjiang marks the border; fishing boats and long views before the drive back south.

1. Jiayin riverfront

Back south through Tieli, the jade-warm spring pools undo two days of border-road driving.

1. Taoshan jade hot springs

Lava platforms farmed by lichen and, in late spring, azaleas that bloom straight out of the basalt cracks.

1. Hongxing volcanic geological park

A research reserve of old-growth pine near Dailing with quiet trails; arrange entry a day ahead.

1. Liangshui National Nature Reserve

The county's high ridge with birch slopes and long forestry-rail memories; a slow last full day outdoors.

1. Daqingshan scenic area

Pine nuts, mushrooms and honey fill the market stalls; stock up before the train out of the forest capital.

1. morning forest produce market