Hey everyone, Mark here! As a seasoned backpacker with a serious wanderlust for Asia, I've explored countless amazing places, but my recent trip to the world's largest Siberian tiger park in Heilongjiang Province, China, was truly unforgettable. Forget your typical zoo experience; this was a raw, exhilarating encounter with nature's apex predators. This is the story of my adventure in Hengdaohezi Town, a place I never knew existed before this trip!
From Border Town to Tiger Territory
My journey started in Suifenhe, a city on the Chinese-Russian border, a place I featured in a previous video. Leaving the border behind, I headed inland to Mudanjiang, a city I only knew as the name of a song and a river. I never imagined it would be the destination for one of my most memorable travel experiences. The ultimate goal? Hengdaohezi Town, a smaller town under the jurisdiction of Mudanjiang, and home to something truly special: the world's largest Siberian tiger park.
The reason for my visit to Hengdaohezi? The town sits on the historical China Eastern Railway (CER), the Suifenhe-Manzhouli line, a branch of the great Trans-Siberian Railway. The history of this railway and its impact on the region intrigued me, and I was eager to explore the CER Museum, which we'll discuss later.
Face-to-Face with the Siberian Titans
But first, tigers! Before visiting the CER museum, I had an incredibly thrilling experience at the Hengdaohezi Siberian Tiger Park. The park is a mere 2 kilometers from the train station (I timed it!), and the walk was breathtaking. However, I would recommend taking a taxi, especially considering the cold weather.
A Bit About Hengdaohezi Town
Hengdaohezi town was a bit colder than Mudanjiang, about 5-6 degrees Celsius (41-43 degrees Fahrenheit) lower. Surrounded by mountains, its higher altitude and lack of tall buildings exposed it to the chill. Besides the CER, the G10 expressway connecting Suifenhe and Manzhouli passes through the town, adding another layer of logistical significance to this area.
The Siberian Tiger Park: A Conservation Success Story
The park's entrance fee was ¥50 (about $7 USD) plus an additional ¥10 ($1.40 USD) for the park shuttle. Students with ID received a 50% discount! The park itself is an incredible feat of conservation. Established in 1986, its initial goal was simply to protect and breed Siberian tigers, with the eventual aim of releasing them back into the wild.
By 1995, however, the park was home to over 100 tigers and facing millions of yuan in debt. Facing closure, the park underwent a transformation in 1996, incorporating tourism into its operations. This "tigers working for tigers" approach helped sustain the conservation efforts.
An Up-Close and Personal Tiger Encounter
The park is divided into several zones, each housing a number of magnificent Siberian tigers. I purchased some meat (¥10 per stick, about $1.40 USD) to feed the tigers, an unforgettable experience! The tigers are surprisingly close, and the sheer size and power of these creatures is awe-inspiring. It’s a unique experience, a close encounter with these magnificent creatures without the barrier of glass.
Siberian Tiger Facts: A Closer Look
Here's some information I gathered about these majestic creatures:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris altaica |
| Habitat | Cold forests of Northeast Asia (Russia, China, North Korea) |
| Diet | Primarily deer, but also other ungulates |
| Size | Largest tiger subspecies; males can weigh up to 700 pounds (318 kg) |
| Lifespan | 15-17 years in the wild; 20-25 years in captivity |
| Conservation Status | Endangered |
Beyond the Tigers: A Glimpse of Hengdaohezi's History
After leaving the tiger park, I had a chat with a local taxi driver, gaining insights into Hengdaohezi's fascinating history. He explained the town's pivotal role during the construction of the CER by the Russians, followed by the Japanese occupation.
A Snowy Surprise and a Farewell
As I departed Hengdaohezi, a drone flight revealed a stunning sight: a blanket of snow covering the distant mountains. It was the first glimpse of the famed “forest and snow plain” (林海雪原) I had been anticipating. This unexpected encounter added a perfect closing scene to my unforgettable adventure.
