Songhua River

The Songhua River flows approximately 1,897 km through Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces in Northeast China, making it the principal river of the region. It is the largest tributary of the Amur River, which forms part of the border between China and Russia.

Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province and the largest city in Northeast China, is located on the banks of the Songhua River. The city's famous Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival uses ice blocks harvested directly from the frozen river each winter.

In November 2005, an explosion at a chemical plant in Jilin City released a large quantity of benzene and other toxic compounds into the Songhua River, creating a major environmental disaster. The pollution plume forced the city of Harbin to shut off its water supply for several days.

Yes, the Songhua River freezes over during the intensely cold Northeast Chinese winters, with ice reaching sufficient thickness to support vehicles, festivals, and other activities. The frozen river surface becomes a centerpiece of Harbin's winter tourism economy.