GRASSLANDS, MOUNTAINS AND FORBIDDEN CITIES.
NORTHEASTERN CAMP LOCATIONS
Beijing is the most common destination in the northeast of China but the area has so much more to give. If you venture north, past the Great Wall, it’s full of lush green grasslands, delicious food and large cities that defy the extreme temperatures.
Harbin is the largest city in the northeast of China and home to the legendary Snow and Ice festival every winter when local artists create gigantic sculptures from ice cut out of the frozen river that runs through the middle of the city. During the hot summers, you can also visit the Siberian tiger reserve and take in the Russian-inspired architecture (check out St Sophia’s church for the perfect example).
You can stand on the edge of a broken bridge and look out over the river into North Korea in the border city of Dandong or climb up to a lake on top of a volcano in the Changbai Mountains that was only discovered 50 years ago.
Keep heading north and you’re in the famous grasslands of Inner Mongolia, a huge expanse of flat, green prairie land. Tourists head up here away from the big cities into the clean air and open scenery.
THE REGION'S CUISINE
The food in the Northeast is filled with distinctive flavours and eaten all over China. Due to the traditionally harsh winters, the portions are always big up here with sweet and sour flavours coming from the vinegars used to pickle some ingredients. Guo bao rou (鍋包肉) is a favourite and is the authentic version of the sweet and sour pork found outside of China.
You’ll often find in these areas that outside of Beijing, it will be difficult to find an English speaker. This just means it’s the perfect place to brush up on your Mandarin or at least your Google Translate skills.