Qiqihar

Qiqihar is a prefecture-level city in Heilongjiang Province, in northeast China. It sits on the Songhua River and is an important regional center for western Heilongjiang, linking agricultural hinterlands with northern markets. The city has a population in the several-million range and serves as a transportation and economic hub for the area.

Historically, the area developed as an industrial base in the 20th century, with sectors such as machinery manufacturing, petrochemicals, and food processing. Today, Qiqihar's economy features manufacturing, logistics, agriculture-based processing, and public services, supported by rail and road connections that knit the region to Harbin and other cities.

Geographically, the city lies near wetlands and forests. Nearby Zhalong National Nature Reserve protects a large wetland ecosystem and is a key habitat for red-crowned cranes and other waterfowl.

Culturally and educationally, Qiqihar hosts institutions such as Qiqihar University and several colleges, serving the western Heilongjiang region. The city also contains museums, theaters, and parks that reflect its industrial legacy and regional traditions.

Climate-wise, the city experiences a humid continental climate with long, cold winters and warm summers, shaping daily life, agriculture, and tourism.