Beian, China

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Beian, China

Region: Heilongjiang


Geographic Coordinates: 48.239500, 126.504000
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 35.0°C (-40°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold and dry winters, hot and humid summers, with moderate precipitation throughout the year.
Population: 470000
Language: Mandarin

Beian, Also known as Bei’an, Is a city in the Heilongjiang province of China. It’s located in the northeastern part of the country and covers an area of approximately 17, 000 square kilometers. The city has a population of around 380, 000 people and is home to various ethnic groups. One of Beian’s most notable landmarks is the Zhalong Nature Reserve. This reserve spans over 2, 100 square kilometers and houses more than 300 bird species including endangered species like white-naped crane and red-crowned crane.

The reserve also has numerous wetlands that provide habitat for other animal species like otters and muskrats. Beian also has a rich history dating back to its founding during the Qing dynasty around 1730. It served as an essential trade center between China and Russia during this period with many historic buildings still present today like the former governor’s residence which now serves as a local history museum.

The city celebrates its unique heritage through several cultural festivals throughout the year such as the Heilongjiang Ice Lantern Festival held every winter where visitors can admire intricate ice sculptures illuminated with colorful lights creating a magical atmosphere. Besides natural beauty and cultural attractions, Beian plays an important role in China’s economy due to its location near Russia’s Far East region serving as a transportation hub for goods traveling between these two regions via road or rail.

Overall, Beian offers visitors an exciting blend of natural beauty, Rich history, Vibrant culture making it an ideal destination for travelers exploring northeastern China.



Important Landmarks

  1. Wudalianchi Scenic Area: A volcanic area with five interconnected lakes, hot springs, and unique geological formations.
  2. Beian River Forest Park: A scenic park with lush forests, riverside trails, picnic areas, and outdoor activities.
  3. Guibaozhai National Forest Park: A nature reserve with diverse flora and fauna, waterfalls, caves, and hiking trails.
  4. Beian Museum: A museum showcasing the history and culture of Beian county through artifacts, exhibits, and multimedia displays.
  5. Qingquan Temple: An ancient Buddhist temple with traditional architecture, statues of Buddha and other deities.
  6. Longfeng Wetland Reserve: A wetland conservation area with rare bird species like swans.
  7. Heilongjiang River Wetland Reserve: Another wetland reserve that provides a habitat for migratory birds such as cranes.
  8. Xingkai Lake Scenic Area – One of the largest freshwater lakes in China which offers boating activities.
  9. Harbin Ice Festival- Though not located in Beian but it is one hour drive from there which is one of the most famous winter festivals in china which attract tourists from all over the world to see ice sculptures made by artists using ice blocks taken from frozen river surface.

Primary Industries

  1. Agriculture: Beian is known for its fertile land and favorable climate, which makes it suitable for agriculture. The city produces crops such as rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, and vegetables.
  2. Forestry: Beian has a large forest area that provides timber for various industries such as paper-making and furniture manufacturing.
  3. Mining: The city has rich mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, gold, and graphite.
  4. Manufacturing: Beian has a growing manufacturing sector that includes industries such as machinery production, textile manufacturing, food processing plants.
  5. Tourism: Beian’s natural beauty attracts tourists from all over the world who come to see its scenic spots like the Wudalianchi volcanic group or visit its cultural heritage sites like the Songpu Neolithic Site Museum.
  6. Education: There are several universities and colleges in Beian offering courses in different fields of study including medicine and engineering technology among others.
  7. Transportation: With good road networks connecting it to other cities within China; it serves as an important transport hub for goods coming into or leaving Heilongjiang province.

Noteable History

  1. Qing Dynasty: Beian served as the capital of Heilongjiang Province during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
  2. Russo-Japanese War: The Battle of Beian occurred in 1904 during the Russo-Japanese War, where Japanese forces defeated Russian troops.
  3. Zhang Xueliang: Zhang Xueliang, also known as the Young Marshal, was a Chinese military leader who resided in Beian for many years.
  4. Anti-Japanese Resistance: During World War II, Beian played an essential role in the anti-Japanese resistance movement.
  5. Harbin Institute of Technology: The Harbin Institute of Technology originated from Beian in 1920 and is now one of China’s top universities.
  6. Ma Yinchu: Ma Yinchu was a renowned economist who served as president of Harbin Institute of Technology from 1949 to 1952.
  7. Li Zhaolin: Li Zhaolin was an acclaimed poet who lived in Beian during his later years.
  8. Heilongjiang Museum: The Heilongjiang Museum is situated in Beian and contains various artifacts related to the city’s history and culture.
  9. Songhua River Floods: In 1957, massive floods along the Songhua River caused extensive damage to Beian and other areas along its banks.
  10. Ice Festival: Every year, thousands visit Harbin for its world-famous ice festival that showcases enormous ice sculptures built by local artists over several weeks each winter season.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Beian Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of Beian, including exhibits on local customs, folk art, and traditional architecture.
  2. Heilongjiang Provincial Museum: This museum features a wide range of exhibits on the history and culture of Heilongjiang province, including artifacts from ancient times to the present day.
  3. Wudalianchi Scenic Area: This natural wonder is home to five interconnected lakes that were formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Visitors can enjoy hiking, boating, and other outdoor activities in this beautiful area.
  4. Zhalong Nature Reserve: This wetland reserve is one of China’s most important bird habitats with over 300 species recorded here. Visitors can take guided tours to see rare birds like red-crowned cranes and swans up close.
  5. Hongshan Cultural Square: Located in downtown Beian, this public space features a large statue of a dragon as well as several smaller sculptures depicting scenes from Chinese mythology.
  6. Qing’an Ancient City Wall: Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this well-preserved city wall offers visitors a glimpse into China’s rich architectural heritage.
  7. Yabuli Ski Resort: Located about an hour’s drive from Beian, this ski resort offers some of the best skiing in northeast China with over 30 runs for skiers and snowboarders at all levels.
  8. Harbin Ice Festival: Held every January or February in nearby Harbin city, this festival is famous for its elaborate ice sculptures that attract visitors from around the world.
  9. Harbin Siberia Tiger Park: This park has more than 500 Siberian tigers living within its boundaries.
  10. Zhongyang Pedestrian Street: This street has many shops selling traditional Russian goods such as fur hats or nesting dolls along with food stalls selling local delicacies such as smoked fish or bingtanghulu.



Cultural Events

  1. Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) – usually celebrated in January or February.
  2. Lantern Festival – usually celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
  3. Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) – usually celebrated in early April.
  4. Dragon Boat Festival – usually celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
  5. Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival) – usually celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.

Apart from these traditional festivals, Beian may also host other local events such as agricultural fairs or cultural performances throughout the year.


Cuisine

  • Beian Roast Duck is a famous dish in the city of Beian. It is made by roasting a duck until it’s crispy and then serving it with various sauces and condiments.
  • Heilongjiang Cuisine uses hearty dishes that incorporate wild game, fish, and vegetables from the region.
  • Dongfanghong Restaurant serves traditional Northeastern Chinese cuisine such as braised pork belly and stir-fried vegetables.
  • Shangri-La Hotel Restaurant offers a mix of Western and Chinese cuisines with stunning views over the city.
  • Xiangyunlou Restaurant is known for its hotpot dishes but also serves other Northeastern Chinese specialties like dumplings and noodles.
  • Laochengyuan Dumpling Restaurant is a popular spot for locals to enjoy freshly made dumplings filled with various meats or vegetables.
  • Laobinjia Hotpot Restaurant is another hotpot restaurant well-known in the area for its flavorful broths and fresh ingredients.
  • Luoyang Snack Street has food stalls selling all kinds of snacks from grilled meat skewers to sweet desserts like tanghulu (candied fruit on a stick).

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Beian Forest Park
    2. Beian Wetland Park
    3. Beian Cultural Square
    4. Beian Sports Center
    5. Xing’an River Scenic Area
    6. Hailin Ski Resort
    7. Qixing Mountain Scenic Area
    8. Jiaohua Mountain Scenic Area
    9. Yueliang Lake Park

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