Population: 1,500,000

Area: 22,483 square kilometers (8,680 square miles)

Administrative Division: 4 districts (Jianshan, Lingdong, Sifangtai, Baoshan) 4 counties (Jixian, Youyi, Baoqing, Raohe)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourism Complaints: 0469-4281477
Bus Station Inquiry: 0469-4240180
Shuangyashan People's Hospital: 0469-4273261

Location: Located in the northeast of Heilongjiang, Shuangyashan is separated with Russia in the east. It border to the cities of Jiamusi and Qitaihe in Heilongjiang.

History: The land of Shuangyashan has been cultivated by human beings since the Neolithic Age. It belonged to the Sushen State in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771BC). This area is also where the ancestor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) emperors set up the first empire. During the Chinese Anti-Japanese War in the early 20th century, it was occupied by the invaders. After the new Republic of China was established, a coal mine agency called Shuangyashan was set up there. Then in 1966, it became a prefecture-level city under the direct guide of Heilongjiang.

Physical Features: The whole area is high in the southeast and low in the northwest. Mountains, hills, forests and fluvial plain are the main local geographic features.

Climatic Features: Shuangyashan belongs to the temperate monsoon climate zone. Winter lasts for a long time and the weather is dry and cold. The annual average temperature of the coldest month January is about minus 18C (minus 0.4F). Summer is short, rainy and hot. July is the hottest month with the average temperature of 22C (72F).

When to Go: Summer and autumn are best time to visit Shuangyashan, when it is warm and humid.

Local Highlights: Boasting of rich coal resource, Shuangyashan is called 'Coal City' in China. It is also an important agricultural base of China due to its location in the middle of fertile Sanjiang Plain.

Special Local Products: In the thick forests and large area of mountains, pure natural plants grow well, providing a wide range of foods for the locals. The most famous are mushroom and agaric. Big black ant products and milk products are also well sold throughout China.

Famous Tourism Spots:
Wetland Areas: Qixinghe National Nature Reserve, Yanwo Islet Nature Reserve
Forests: Qingshan National Forest Park, Longhu Forest Park
Rivers: Wusuli River, Anbang River

Tourist Tips: To get to Shuangyashan, visitors can firstly get to Jiamusi by plane and then change a bus directly to Shuangyashan, which is only 50 kms (31 miles) away from Jiamusi Airport (JMU). Shuangyashan Railway Station is located in the west of the urban city and operates scheduled trains to Jiamusi and Harbin each day. Opposite to the railway station is the Shuangyashan Bus Station. Visitors can take buses to counties and towns in Shuangyashan as well as many other cities in Heilongjiang.