Qiqihar, the second-largest city in Heilongjiang Province, China, is a significant industrial, cultural, and ecological hub in the northeastern region of the country. Located in the west-central part of the province, it is renowned as the "Hometown of the Red-Crowned Cranes" due to the nearby Zhalong Nature Reserve, a critical habitat for these endangered birds. Qiqihar’s history, shaped by its strategic position on the Songnen Plain and its role as a transportation and military center, blends Manchu, Daur, Russian, and Han Chinese influences.
Location: Qiqihar is situated in western Heilongjiang Province,
approximately 359 km (223 miles) northwest of Harbin, the provincial
capital. It lies on the fertile Songnen Plain, near the Nen River, with
Jilin Province to the south, Inner Mongolia to the west, and Russia to
the north. Its proximity to the Russian border enhances its role in
cross-border trade.
Topography: The city occupies the southern
foothills of the Lesser Khingan Mountains, with its terrain sloping
downward from north to south. The central and southern parts consist of
alluvial plains, ideal for agriculture, while wetlands and marshes
surround the city, notably the Zhalong Nature Reserve.
Climate:
Qiqihar experiences a temperate continental monsoon climate with cold,
long winters (November to March) and short, hot, rainy summers (June to
August). Winter temperatures often fall to -20°C to -30°C (-4°F to
-22°F), while summer averages 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Annual
temperatures range from 0.7°C to 4.2°C (33.3°F to 39.6°F). Spring is dry
and windy, and autumn is brief but pleasant.
Area and Administrative
Divisions: Qiqihar’s prefecture-level city spans approximately 42,289
km², with the urban core (Longsha, Tiefeng, and Jianhua districts)
covering about 1,400 km². It administers seven districts, eight
counties, and one county-level city.
Qiqihar’s history, dating back over 10,000 years, reflects its role
as a cultural and strategic crossroads:
Ancient Roots:
Archaeological evidence shows human activity along the Nen River 10,000
years ago, with Qiqihar entering the Bronze Age around 2,500 years ago.
It was a convergence point for ancient ethnic groups like the Sushen,
Donghu, and Huimo.
Qing Dynasty (17th–19th Century): Founded as a
walled city in 1691, Qiqihar’s name, derived from the Daur word for
“border” or “natural pasture,” reflects its frontier status. Initially,
only Manchus were permitted to live there. It became a major garrison
center in 1674 to counter Russian expansion and Mongol campaigns, with
the Heilongjiang military government based there by 1699. The Bukui
Mosque, built in 1684, predates the city’s formal founding. Around 1700,
Qiqihar was a hub for Russo-Chinese trade, with a military depot and
exiled criminals shaping its early population.
Russian and Railway
Influence: The 1903 completion of the Chinese Eastern Railway
transformed Qiqihar into a key transportation hub, connecting China to
Russia and fostering Han Chinese settlement. Restrictions on settlement
were lifted in 1868, 1878, and 1904 to encourage agricultural
development among local Solon and Daur peoples.
Japanese Occupation
(1931–1945): Following the September 18 Incident, Japan occupied Qiqihar
on November 19, 1931, making it an administrative center of the puppet
state of Manchukuo and a major military base for the Guandong Army. The
Imperial Japanese Army established Unit 516 for chemical warfare
research, leaving a tragic legacy, including a 2003 incident where a
buried mustard gas tank caused 43 injuries and one death.
Post-1945:
After Japan’s defeat, Qiqihar was controlled by the Communists on April
24, 1946, during the Chinese Civil War. It served as Heilongjiang’s
capital from 1949 until 1954, when the capital shifted to Harbin
following the merger with Songjiang Province.
Qiqihar’s culture is a vibrant mosaic of Han Chinese, Manchu, Daur,
Mongol, and other minority influences, enriched by its historical
diversity:
Ethnic Composition: The population is predominantly
Han Chinese (over 90%), with 34 minority groups, including Manchus,
Daur, Mongols, and Hui. The Daur and Manchu heritage is particularly
strong in the Meilisi Daur District.
Cuisine: Qiqihar’s food reflects
its multiethnic heritage and pastoral environment:
Qiqihar Barbecue:
A local specialty blending Manchu, Mongol, Korean, Hui, Daur, and Ewenki
influences, featuring halal beef and lamb kebabs. It’s celebrated for
its green, Nen River-nurtured ingredients.
Other Dishes: Hearty
noodle soups, dumplings, and North Korean-inspired dishes are popular.
Harbin beer and peach juice are local favorites.
Specialties: Local
products include fungus, ginseng, and dairy from the surrounding
grasslands.
Festivals and Traditions:
Qiqihar Crane Watching
Festival (August): Celebrates the red-crowned cranes at Zhalong Nature
Reserve, drawing birdwatchers and photographers.
Qiqihar Ice and Snow
Event (Late December): Features ice sculptures and winter activities,
though smaller than Harbin’s festival.
Nadamu and Aobao Gatherings
(Early September): Held in Meilisi Daur District, these showcase Daur
and Mongol traditions, including wrestling, archery, and horse racing.
Cultural Arts: Paper cuttings and shadow puppetry are traditional
crafts, reflecting the city’s artistic heritage.
Language: Mandarin
is the primary language, with a local dialect incorporating Daur and
Manchu elements. Basic Mandarin phrases are helpful for visitors, as
English is not widely spoken.
Qiqihar’s economy, with a GDP of approximately ¥150 billion (2023
estimate), is driven by industry, agriculture, and trade, though it
faces challenges from regional economic decline:
Industry:
Qiqihar is a major industrial center, producing heavy machinery,
railroad equipment, locomotives, diesel engines, machine tools, cranes,
steel, and cement. The city’s woodworking and timber sector, utilizing
resources from the Greater Khingan Range, is significant, as is textile
and electronic equipment manufacturing.
Agriculture: The fertile
Songnen Plain supports soybeans, grain, sugar beets, and dairy
production. Qiqihar is a processing hub for these crops, with wetlands
contributing to rice cultivation.
Trade: Its proximity to Russia
makes Qiqihar a key node for cross-border trade, particularly in timber,
agricultural products, and consumer goods. The city’s role in the Belt
and Road Initiative strengthens economic ties with Russia and Mongolia.
Transportation Hub: Qiqihar’s railway network, anchored by the Chinese
Eastern Railway, connects to Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, and Inner
Mongolia. Qiqihar Sanjiazi Airport serves domestic routes to Beijing,
Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Qingdao. The city is also part of the
Suifenhe-Manzhouli Expressway corridor.
Challenges: Like much of
Northeast China, Qiqihar faces population shrinkage (from 5.36 million
in 2010 to 4.06 million in 2020) due to outmigration and an aging
workforce. Efforts to diversify into tourism and high-tech industries
are ongoing.
Ecological Importance: The Zhalong Nature Reserve underscores
Qiqihar’s role in global biodiversity conservation, protecting
endangered species like the red-crowned crane. The city’s “Crane
Culture” is a point of pride, promoted through festivals and
tourism.
Transportation and Connectivity: Qiqihar’s railway and
highway networks make it a critical logistics hub in Northeast
China. Its airport and proximity to Harbin enhance accessibility,
supporting tourism and trade.
Social Development: Since 1992, SOS
Children’s Villages has operated in Qiqihar, supporting vulnerable
children and families amid urban growth and rural-to-urban
migration. However, slum conditions persist for some migrants,
highlighting infrastructure challenges.
Cultural Preservation:
Efforts to preserve Daur, Manchu, and Hui heritage, such as through
the Bukui Mosque and Nadamu festivals, balance modernization with
tradition.
Population: Qiqihar’s prefecture-level city had 4,067,489 residents
as of the 2020 census, down from 5,367,003 in 2010, reflecting regional
population decline. The urban core (Longsha, Tiefeng, and Jianhua
districts) has about 959,787 inhabitants.
Lifestyle: Residents adapt
to harsh winters with indoor socializing in bathhouses and restaurants,
while summer brings outdoor activities like barbecues and park visits.
The city’s multiethnic community fosters a welcoming atmosphere, though
its industrial character shapes a pragmatic lifestyle.
Transportation: Public buses and taxis are widely available, but
Mandarin knowledge is helpful due to limited English use. The city’s
flat terrain supports cycling, and high-speed trains connect to Harbin
(4 hours) and beyond.
Economic Transition: Qiqihar’s reliance on heavy industry faces
challenges from global shifts to green energy and automation.
Diversifying into eco-tourism, high-tech manufacturing, and services is
critical.
Population Decline: Outmigration to larger cities like
Harbin or Beijing threatens Qiqihar’s workforce and tax base. Incentives
for young professionals and infrastructure investment are needed.
Environmental Concerns: Industrial pollution and wetland preservation
are ongoing issues. The 2003 mustard gas incident highlighted the need
for environmental cleanup, while Zhalong’s ecosystem requires protection
from development.
Tourism Potential: Qiqihar’s natural and cultural
assets, particularly Zhalong and its ethnic diversity, position it as an
emerging destination. Improving English-language services and
international marketing could boost visitor numbers.