Fenghuang Mountain (Wuchang)

The highest mountain in Heilongjiang (elevation 1,696m, Sky Garden alpine wetland + Grand Canyon waterfalls), UFO legend site of the 'First Marvelous Mountain of the North'. At 1,696 meters, Fenghuang Mountain is the highest mountain in Heilongjiang; its flat alpine wetland of some 10,000 square meters at the summit becomes a 'Sky Garden' carpeted with azaleas and wildflowers from June to August, with flower meadows, stone seas and clouds unfolding in turn across the basin-like summit—an alpine landscape unique in the mountains of Northeast China; the Grand Canyon on the mountainside runs a kilometer deep, with waterfalls tumbling along the gorge, and the cliff walls on both sides plus boardwalks over the stone sea form a complete hiking route. The 1994 Fenghuang Mountain UFO incident caused a sensation after wide media coverage, and the UFO legend of the 'First Marvelous Mountain of the North' has been bound to the mountain's name ever since; the UFO-themed displays in front of the mountain gate have become a fun photo spot for visitors. The CNY 145 ticket covers both the Grand Canyon and Sky Garden sections; go by scheduled bus from Wuchang or self-drive—a day round trip from Harbin is tight, so an overnight stay at the mountain gate is recommended, with the Sky Garden in the morning mist the best viewing time.

Getting there: scheduled bus from Wuchang / self-drive