Tongjiang City, Jiamusi: A Place You'll Never Forget

After visiting Fuyuan, I hadn't originally planned to go to Tongjiang, but upon checking the map, it was only 190 kilometers away. So off we went by chartered car, choosing to stay in the downtown area upon arrival. First stop: Russian Style Garden, not far from our accommodation and within walking distance. We passed by Tongjiang's largest Christian church and paused for a moment. Bathed in the bright morning sun and breathing in the fresh air, strolling through the garden was a delightful experience. Built in 2013 with an exotic Russian theme, the garden embodies the concept of "global harmony and everlasting peace." I wandered through various attractions—the Matryoshka Doll Square, Windmill Manor, Celebrity Square, Dock Square, and the Landscape Tower—with the forest boardwalk resembling a work of art. A leisurely visit takes about an hour and a half. Second stop: Hezhen Ethnic Museum. A taxi ride from our lodging cost a flat rate of 10 yuan (a local custom). Tongjiang is the birthplace of the Hezhen people, making the museum a must-visit. However, upon arriving excitedly, disappointment set in—we were told the Hezhen Ethnic Museum had merged with the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum and was currently under preparation for a new exhibition. Third stop: Sanjiangkou Ecological Tourism Zone. Another 10-yuan taxi ride brought us here. The main entrance was closed for renovations ahead of the 7th Heilongjiang Provincial Tourism Industry Conference, so we were directed to enter from the side. Sanjiangkou was the highlight of our Tongjiang trip. The vast river surface revealed the striking confluence of the yellowish Songhua River and the dark-green Heilongjiang River, creating a breathtaking spectacle. This is Sanjiangkou—I couldn't tear my eyes away from the majestic view, lost in thought. Isn't this a perfect example of "distinctly different"? Nature is truly miraculous. The solemn border marker No. 244, emblazoned with the national emblem, reminded me that Tongjiang is also a border city. Fourth stop: Sanjiangkou National Wetland Park. With no taxis available after leaving Sanjiangkou, we walked there. Tongjiang is also known as the "Wetland Paradise" and "Natural Oxygen Bar." The fresh, invigorating environment was punctuated only by the calls of birds. Immersing ourselves in nature felt wonderful! Fifth stop: Riverside Park. Walking along the river from Sanjiangkou National Wetland Park, we reached the core scenic area of Riverside Park. Built in 2010 along the tributary of the Songhua River, the 6,230-meter-long park features a large relief wall, calligraphy stele forest wall, Educated Youth Square, Bell Tower Square, and Umbrella Pavilion Square. Exploring it in the rain added a unique charm! Sixth stop: Hala Susu Customs House Ruins. Almost opposite the core area of Riverside Park, this site dates back to 1910. It stands as a witness to the imperialist powers' invasion of China and the Qing government's humiliating concessions. Now a key cultural relic protection unit in Heilongjiang Province, this century-old memory has been transformed into Tongjiang's Historical and Cultural Square.