Getting Around Heihe
Heihe is a compact border city on the south bank of the Amur River, facing Blagoveshchensk in Russia across the water. Most of what a visitor wants to see sits in or near the built-up Aihui District, so getting around is generally simple and low-stress. The practical options are walking, taxis, and buses, with rail and air serving the longer journeys in and out of the region.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Heihe has no metro or tram system. Rail here is about reaching the city and the wider region rather than moving around within it. The railway connects Heihe with Bei'an and onward to Harbin, Qiqihar and Daqing, so trains are a viable way to arrive from other parts of Heilongjiang.
If you arrive by train, note that passenger services use Heihenan Railway Station (Heihe South Station) on Railway Street in Aihui District, which opened for passenger service in July 2024 as part of the Beihei Railway upgrading line. From Harbin, trains take roughly ten to thirteen hours, and from Qiqihar around eleven and a half hours, with fares varying by class and train.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Local buses are the main form of public transport within the city and are the cheapest way to cover longer stretches of the built-up area. For cross-border travel, buses cross the river from Blagoveshchensk in winter when the Amur freezes over, and regular ferries make the crossing during the summer months. Both are seasonal, so check which is running before you plan a border trip.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are the most straightforward option for visitors, especially for airport transfers and for reaching spots that buses don't serve directly. Fares are typically negotiated informally rather than metered for longer runs, so agree on a price before you set off. Ride-hailing apps are widely used in Chinese cities and can be a convenient alternative where coverage is available, but for airport runs a taxi is the simplest fallback.
Walkability
The central parts of Heihe are compact enough that walking is a realistic way to get between nearby sights, shops and riverside areas. The Amur River waterfront is a natural focus for a stroll, and the Old City of Aigun is a well-known historical scenic spot worth visiting. For anything beyond the immediate centre, plan on a bus or taxi rather than a long walk.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Heihe Aihui Airport is the city's air gateway. Several flights a day connect it with Harbin Taiping Airport in each direction, with a flight time of a little over an hour. From the airport into the city, the usual option is a taxi; as of September 2024 the going rate was around 60 RMB per party, negotiated informally, and the ride takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Agree on the fare before you leave the airport.
Practical Tips
- Allow extra time in winter: Heihe has long, bitterly cold, windy and dry winters, and snow and ice can slow road travel.
- Summer is the season for the cross-river ferry to Blagoveshchensk; in winter, when the river freezes, buses make the crossing instead.
- For airport and out-of-town trips, settle the taxi price up front, since fares are often negotiated rather than metered.
- Keep your plans flexible around the border: the bridge, ferry and bus links to Russia operate on their own seasonal schedules.