Heilongjiang Northern Lights

Dates:	Wednesday, September 22 to Monday, September 27
Price:	RMB 11,600 p.p.
	Single Supplement: RMB 1,050 Child with extra bed: RMB 9,860
Deposit:	Due by August 22
Balance:	Due by September 1

Venture off the beaten path on this exciting new trip to Heilongjiang, the northernmost province in China, for a chance to see the mysterious Northern Lights. Literally meaning “Black Dragon River,” it is one of China's most scenic provinces, offering varied landscapes and wildlife. We will see strange volcanic formations in the Wudalianchi (Five Interconnected Lakes) Volcano Park, the world-famous Zhalong National Reserve, known for its Red-Crowned Cranes and the North Pole Village where we might witness the wonderful Aurora Borealis. Bordered by Inner Magnolia, Jilin and Russia, Heilongjiang’s population is also diverse and we will have the opportunity to meet different ethnic groups such as Han, Manchurian, Korean, Mongolian, Muslim, Daur, Oroqen, Hezhen, Kirgiz, and Ewenki people.

DAY 1                       
Fly to Harbin and proceed to lunch before checking into the Gloria Garden Hotel. In the afternoon, we will go on a city tour covering Stalin Park, the Russian-styled St. Sophia Church and Central Street located along the scenic Songhua River.

DAY 2

In the morning, we will visit a Siberian Tiger Reserve.  After lunch, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Mo He.  Upon arrival we will drive two hours to the Northern Lights Village of Mo He, the northernmost town in China. Because of its remoteness and almost year-round cold climate, it is nicknamed “Arctic Town.” Mo He is set in a picturesque area surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers with about 400 kinds of rare animals roaming the wilderness areas. Mo He is also the place in China where the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can be seen. After checking into our hotel, we will visit a local family, the post office and the sentry on the border of China and Russia. This evening, we will spend some time outside to view the elusive Northern Lights. (Note: Our hotel, the Family House in Mo He Northern Lights Village is the best available lodging in the village. Rooms do not have private bathrooms and guests will use shared bathrooms.)

DAY 3                       
After a simple breakfast, we will go on a hike to explore the mountains around Mo He and get a panoramic view of Northern Lights Village. This afternoon, we will go on another short 1.5 hour hike along the trails in Kermes Valley (Yan Zhi Gou), a beautiful valley with a forest of white birch trees. This evening, we will take an overnight train to Qiqihaer.

DAY 4                       
We arrive in Qiqihaer at late morning. Upon arrival, we will have lunch and then drive 1.5 hours to the Zhalong Nature Reserve, China's biggest bird sanctuary with approximately 270 kinds of birds. Zhalong was included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance in 1992 and is also known as the "Land of the Cranes" because it is the natural habitat for six of the world's fifteen breeds of cranes.
In the evening, we drive about 4.5 hours to Wudalianchi and check into the Xuanhuang Hotel (3 star).

DAY 5                       
Today we will spend a full day exploring Wudalianchi. The Wudalianchi Scenic Area is a topographical wonder create by erupting volcanic mountains. The lava from the volcanoes flowed into the nearby Bei River and formed a series of five barrier lakes.  Fourteen dormant volcanoes give the area a unique lava landscape with strange shapes and hues. The waters within the volcanic cones are said to have special medicinal properties.  In the late afternoon, we will drive one hour to Bei An for an overnight stay (Bei An Hotel – 3 star).

DAY 6           
This morning, we will take a morning train to Harbin before catching our flight back to Shanghai. The flight arrives in Shanghai near midnight.