G331 National Highway Self-Drive Tour: An Adventure Through China's North
Starting from Dandong, Liaoning Province, along the G331 National Highway all the way to the northwest, what is the charm of this highway, which is known as the "King of China's Northern Highway"? Does it really live up to its name? With these questions in mind, a self-drive tour group embarked on this 4,500-kilometer journey on July 1, 2024, through China's northern border region to Manchuria in Inner Mongolia.
A highway miracle on the border
G331 National Highway, as the second longest national highway in China, has a total length of more than 9,300 kilometers, spanning Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia and other provinces. Bordering North Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and other countries along this highway, it can be said that it is a veritable border.
On the day the self-driving group set off from Dandong, the weather was extremely hot. As soon as the convoy drove out of the city, it met a group of cyclists and aunts, who looked curiously at the "foreign" convoy. One of the old men greeted us: "Young men, where are you going?" "
"We're going to Manchuria!" We answered excitedly.
"Oh, that's a long way off! Be careful on the road and don't get lost! Uncle said with a smile.
This conversation reminds me of a paragraph: Someone asked the people of Northeast China, is it cold in winter there for you? Northeast people say, it's cold, so cold that even dogs don't dare to go out to pee. This sense of humor is probably the characteristic of Northeast people.
Along the G331, we passed through the five major rivers of Yalu River, Tumen River, Songhua River, Ussuri River and Heilongjiang River. Each river has its own unique charm, but the one that impressed me the most was the Heilongjiang River. Standing on the edge of the Heilongjiang River and looking at Russia on the other side, the feeling of crossing borders is really amazing.
Interestingly, we also passed through the two geographical poles of China, the East Pole and the North Pole. Standing in these places, there is always a feeling of "I am standing at the end of China", which is a bit exaggerated, but it is indeed exciting.
The contradiction between border security and tourism development
As we went deeper into the border areas, we also ran into some problems. In some places, the road conditions are not ideal, and there are potholes, which makes people worry about whether the car will break down halfway. Moreover, because it is a border area, some places have particularly strict security checks, and some places are even forbidden to enter.
This begs the question, how to balance border security and tourism development along the G331 route? After all, overexploitation can be a safety hazard, but if it is not exploited, these beautiful landscapes and unique cultures cannot be shared with more people.
Once, we stopped in a small town to refuel and met a local old man. He told us that in recent years, with the increasing popularity of G331, more and more people have come here for self-driving tours, which has brought a lot of economic benefits to the local area. But at the same time, it also brings some problems, such as some tourists do not pay attention to protecting the environment and throw garbage at will.
"We welcome visitors, but we hope that everyone will take care of our home." The old man said.
Crossing Inner Mongolia: A Symphony of Steppe and Desert
After entering the Inner Mongolia section, the scenery suddenly becomes open. The vast grasslands, rolling sand dunes, and the looming Mongolia in the distance make for a magnificent picture.
In a place called "Ulan Butong", we met a group of herders. They warmly invited us to taste mare's milk wine and hand-held meat. Although the mare's milk wine has a slightly sour taste, the unique flavor is still unforgettable.
Interestingly, we also saw quite a few "influencers" livestreaming here. They wore gorgeous Mongolian costumes and posed for photos on the steppe. This collision of modernity and tradition makes people sigh at the changes of the times.
Manzhouli: The End of the Journey and a New Beginning
After a 15-day journey, we finally arrived in Manchuria. Known as the "Moscow of the East", the city's unique Russia-style architecture makes you feel like you've traveled back in time.
In Manchuria, we met Xiao Wang, a self-driving enthusiast from Harbin. This is the third time he has driven along the G331.
"Every time I come here, I have a different feeling," Xiao Wang said, "This road not only allowed me to see the beauty of the northern part of the motherland, but also gave me a deeper understanding of the culture and history of the border area." "
Indeed, the G331 is more than just a road, it is more like a link between history and modernity, tradition and innovation. It gives us the opportunity to experience first-hand the unique charm of China's northern border region.
Thinking for the future: the future of G331
This trip gave me a deeper understanding of the G331. It is indeed a unique highway that connects the natural and cultural landscapes of China's northern border region. But at the same time, it comes with a number of challenges.
How to find a balance between protecting the environment and developing tourism? How to make better use of G331 to promote economic development and cultural exchanges in border areas? These questions are worth pondering.
Perhaps, the future of G331 lies not only in its function as a highway, but also in its potential as a platform for cultural exchange. Through this road, we can better understand the border areas and promote communication and understanding between different cultures.
Overall, the G331 gives us a unique perspective on China's northern border. It's both a highway and a story, a legend that continues to be written. It is hoped that in the future, more people will be able to experience the charm of this "king of the northern highway" and feel the unique customs of China's northern border region.