The immense 4,209-kilometer border between China and Russia is a frontier of continental scale, largely defined by the course of the Amur and Ussuri rivers. This is a place of stark contrasts, where bustling Chinese cities look across the water to the sparsely populated landscapes of the Russian Far East.
You have several major crossings to choose from. The busiest is at Manzhouli (China) and Zabaykalsk (Russia), the key crossing for the Trans-Manchurian branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Another fascinating point is at Hēihé (China) and Blagoveshchensk (Russia), where the two cities sit directly opposite each other on the banks of the Amur River. A new road bridge has recently opened here.
The experience of crossing can vary. The train journey is a classic overland adventure, while the Hēihé crossing can involve a ferry in summer or even a hovercraft over the frozen river in winter. The cultural and linguistic shift is immediate and profound. The border procedures are formal and can be time-consuming.
This border was the site of significant military tension during the Sino-Soviet split in the mid-20th century. Today, that tension has been replaced by a booming trade relationship. It is a powerful example of how geopolitical relationships can transform a landscape.