Zhenbao Island, River island at China-Russia border in Hulin, China
Zhenbao Island is a small landmass in the Ussuri River, covering roughly 0.74 square kilometers and marking the boundary between China and Russia's Primorsky Krai region. The island sits low in the riverbed and is surrounded by wetlands that flood during the rainy season, providing an important habitat for migratory birds.
In March 1969, armed clashes broke out between Chinese and Soviet forces on the landmass, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides and escalating tensions during the Cold War. The confrontations led to diplomatic negotiations and contributed years later to the final settlement of the border dispute between the two nations.
The Chinese name translates to Rare Treasure and reflects the strategic value this small strip of land holds in the border river between the two nations. Russian maps show it as Damanskiy after a railway surveyor who lost his life there in 1888 during a mapping expedition, highlighting the different national perspectives on this spot.
Access is usually available between 08:00 and 16:30, with guided tours offered that explain the border context and the natural landscape. Visitors should bring a valid ID because the area sits close to the frontier and checks are common.
The entire area was incorporated into the Heilongjiang Zhenbaodao Wetland National Nature Reserve in September 2011 and has enjoyed special protection for its flora and fauna ever since. This status makes it one of the few border zones in the region that combines historical significance with ecological conservation.
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