Qiqihar

Set on the Nenjiang River plain, Qiqihar is best known internationally for Zhalong National Nature Reserve, a vast 2,100 km² wetland that shelters the iconic red-crowned crane — a symbol of longevity in East Asian culture — along with five other crane species. The reserve is one of the most important crane breeding sites in the world. Beyond birdwatching, Qiqihar is famous for its beef — the local Qiqihar roast beef tradition has spread across China — and for the Daur and Mongolian minority communities of the surrounding grasslands.