Yichun (Heilongjiang)

Mandarin is mostly used in Yichun; however, visitors can feel the strong accent when talking with locals. The Northeastern variety can sometimes be difficult for outsiders to understand, with some words differing from those in standard Mandarin. However the accent, though strong, is usually understandable.

Yichun, with its vast forest, is usually cool in summer, although that season comes later than most places in China (usually June to early September), and the winter can be extremely cold with most days below -5, nights below -20 Celsius and the historic lowest, -40. However the winter is when the city gets attractive, with snow everywhere and the local ice sculptures shown in different places. Forests and mountains are mostly visited in summer, but not always popular in winter.

• 🌍 Yichun Lindu Airport (LDS  ^IATA 伊春林都机场 Yīchūn Líndū Jīchǎng). The only airport in the city. Owing to its small size, there are only flights from major or nearby cities in China, like Harbin, Beijing (via Harbin), Shanghai (via Dalian) and Guangzhou (via Tianjin). Charter flights are also organised, but not often. There is a shuttle bus to the city ticketing office, which departs hourly from the city and the airport. 

Another choice is Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB ^IATA), about 6 hours away from the city by coaches and trains, and it's the only international airport with frequent flights in Heilongjiang province.

• 🌍 Yichun Railway Station. The main railway station of the city, in the east end of the built-up area, is actually not so popular. Most trains go to other cities inside the province, and the only train to Dalian can take you further south. (updated Apr 2018)

The alternative choice is Nancha Station, right in the middle of Nancha District, which is on the Suihua-Jiamusi main line and has more trains. Coaches depart hourly from the bus station to Yichun city, and the journey takes about 1.5h. Or you can also wait for a longer time and get a train into the Yichun city, but it might take a longer time but a much cheaper price than coaches. For more information, see High-speed rail in China page.

As the province is in a valley surrounded by mountains, coaches are a quite popular way to travel here. The buses are usually air-conditioned. A ticket include a free checked luggage, however one can take as many carry-on luggages as they like in theory (however do not act like moving to a new house and bringing everything; a backpack is usually the largest item for one to take aboard). Fares are reasonable, however usually higher than train tickets. For some districts or nearby cities, this is the only choice, as the railway can be much longer than highways.

• 🌍 Yichun Central Coach Station. This is where most coaches from Yichun departs. Most of the services run to and from nearby cities and the faraway districts of the city. However, some of the coaches terminate at a road intersection 400 metres east to the station. The website is fully Chinese, but offers lots of information like destinations and timetables. (updated Jun 2018)

Another useful website when booking coach tickets is Bus 365, a trustable website when booking coach tickets in China. However it is entirely Chinese, it can be easier to book a ticket rather than buying one at the station. You have to assign a Chinese phone number and a wechat payment or an alipay account to pay for the ticket. Once the seat is locked, a message will be sent to your assigned phone number, and in Yichun you have to get your ticket at the service desk (which can be much easier than buying one from the ticket desks).

As a small city, buses can almost take you to everywhere, although the vehicles seems a bit smaller and older than most cities in China. Fares are usually ¥1 except line 1 which fares are from ¥1 to ¥3, with newer buses and a long route. The stops are dense in the city, so you are always not too far from a bus stop. When riding a bus in Yichun, you should remember that all stops are "request stops", which means that you should wave at the bus stop if you want to get on, and press the bell buttons at the rear door when the bus approaches the stop, so that the driver will stop for you.

Located right in the middle of a river valley, the city is a narrow but long area, and not too hilly to ride a bike. Also, riding is one of the best ways to discover in the amazing forest parks. However, getting a bike in the city can be difficult, and getting your bike into the city may also be a tough experience. Renting a bike, however, is not as cost-efficient as using public transport.

Most visitors who know the city well without an extremely tight budget, like those from other cities in the province, usually choose to travel by taxi. The fares in the city can be very cheap (from ¥5), and the drivers (if they understand what you are saying) are friendly and helpful. However, be ready of using a translation software like Google or Baidu during the whole trip, as most of them don't understand English., or any other languages except Chinese.

Yichun city, actually, is a friendly place for pedestrians, as cars move slowly in most of the time. With the tiny size and the freshest air in the region, it is surely a wise choice to walk, when you are not in a hurry nor so tired to walk.

As a Chinese saying goes, one who visits a city brings souvenirs back, which are meant to be forgotten on the shelf for ages. Some visitors to Yichun buy wood carvings, which are usually not made in Yichun and not with the special Korean pine, and usually can't represent the city (those made with Korean pine can be expensive and large). Some visitors get their souvenirs by walking in the forest and collecting something meaningful (like a leaf or a nut). However, most domestic visitors bring back specialties like mushrooms, agaric (Jew's ear/wood ear/tree ear) or ginseng. Do not believe those selling things right inside a tourist spot as things may cost a lot more than they are worth.

The city of Yichun has a few supermarkets, mostly located in the centre. Although there might not be a wide variety of goods, there is certainly enough for even a long stay. Most shops are in the residential areas or high streets, with many workers knowing no English, so always have your phone with you, or shopping can be a tough experience. Most malls and supermarkets accept Union Pay cards, but few of them accept cards from other countries like Visa or Mastercard. If you find it hard to pay in the city, try to use Wechat payment or Alipay, which is much more widely accepted (almost every shop accepts them).