Qiqihar: City History, Barbecue Culture and Nature

Qiqihar combines more than 800 years of city history with a distinctive food culture and green places to explore. The city also has a 255-year history as the capital of Heilongjiang. You can choose different focuses for your trip: explore historical landmarks and the Nenjiang River civilization, discover the local barbecue tradition, or set aside time for parks and wetlands.

Culture and City History

The Qiqihar City Museum features an exhibition on the Nenjiang River civilization. The Pukui Mosque and the former residence of the Governor of Heilongjiang also give your explorations a historical focus: both are designated nationally significant cultural heritage sites and are associated with the city’s 333-year history and Qiqihar’s 255-year history as the capital of Heilongjiang. The subjects differ: the museum focuses on the Nenjiang River civilization, while the Heilongjiang General’s Office on Mingyue Island presents the history of Heilongjiang during the Qing dynasty and dates back more than 300 years.

Qiqihar Barbecue and Local Food Culture

Qiqihar barbecue originated in the 1980s and is an important symbol of local food culture. The World Chinese Cuisine Industry Federation named Qiqihar the “International Barbecue Capital” and described the city as China’s only barbecue capital. Its barbecue culture brings together several ethnic traditions. Foods grilled include beef and lamb, fish and seafood, vegetables, mantou, eggs and tofu. The wide range makes food culture a discovery in its own right: alongside meat dishes, you can explore vegetables and other ingredients.

Parks and Wildlife

Longsha Park lies in the center of Qiqihar and covers 64 hectares, including 20 hectares of water. The Longsha Zoological and Botanical Garden is a separate attraction. It combines wildlife viewing with recreation, water tours and leisure activities. Its areas include themed zones, an ecological science and education hall, and an event stage. The grounds cover about 705,873 square meters and are home to more than 110 animal species and 120 species of trees and shrubs. If you would like to combine time in green surroundings with wildlife watching, the garden offers a different focus from the centrally located Longsha Park.

Wetlands and Nearby Destinations

Near Qiqihar is Zhalong, a dedicated birdwatching area with pristine wetlands and abundant waterfowl. Mingyue Island is a river island in the lower reaches of the Nenjiang River, 2 kilometers northwest of the urban area. The 766-hectare area is designated both a national 4A-rated scenic area and a provincial nature reserve. It retains a largely pristine ecological character and is home to more than 400 plant species; its ancient trees include a mulberry tree about 150 years old. The island also has excursion boats and speedboats, as well as eco-friendly sightseeing vehicles that take visitors to the attractions.

Another nearby option is the Hala New Village tourism area in Meilisi Daur District and the Yarse area. It covers 60 hectares, lies 20 kilometers from central Qiqihar and is designated a national 3A-rated tourist attraction. Visitors can learn about distinctive ways of life and traditional customs, as well as go horseback riding on the steppe, camp outdoors and fish by the river. These experiences differ in character, and you do not have to combine them into a single outing.

Discover More Destinations

If you’d like to explore more destination pages, you’ll also find Heihe, Daqing, Yichun, Shuangyashan, Qitaihe, Suihua, Mudanjiang and Harbin here.

For the broader travel overview: Heilongjiang.