Boundless borderlands

The century-old Russes Bakery is famous for its delicious khleb (bread), made in the traditional Russian way. [PHOTO BY XU LIN/CHINA DAILY]

Government departments have also registered Kuaishou accounts. Kuaishou provides training to officials and individual users on how to create engaging short clips.

Chen Su, head of the city's publicity department, is confident that in the mobile internet era, these kinds of online promotions will help boost the local economy and the tourism industry.

Listed by UNESCO as a global geopark, Jingpo Lake is an attractive tourist destination that is home to unique volcanic landforms and water views. Last year, the number of tourist visits to the lake reached 930,000.

The Diaoshuilou Waterfall flows down through limestone cliffs before cascading 12 meters into Heilong (Black Dragon) Pool. Even when the waterfall freezes over in winter, the pool maintains a water temperature of around 8 C.

The cliff is also the spot where the famous Chinese high-diver Di Huanran performs free dives into the pool twice a day.

Nearby the lake lie the ruins of the ancient capital of the Balhae Kingdom (698-926), which existed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). A museum showcases plans of the ancient capital's symmetrical layout, architectural ornaments and other aspects of Balhae culture and customs.

The Siberian Tiger Park in Hengdaohezi town is one of the largest breeding centers of the tiger subspecies in the world.