Cool runnings

A turn of the Heilong River, known as the "First Turn of the Longjiang River", in the Greater Hinggan Mountains area.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Tourism has surged since Heilongjiang initiated summertime itineraries last year.

Roughly 80 million people visited scenic spots last summer, 21 percent more than in 2014. A 15 percent increase is expected this year, Xi says.

The provincial rail administration opened a new tourism line from Harbin to Heihe in May.

The longest railway line in China also connects the province's Qiqihar to Urumqi. It crosses eight provinces and the city of Tianjin before arriving in the capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

A high-speed railway also connects Harbin to Liaoning province's capital, Shenyang, and Jilin province's capital, Changchun.

Eleven airports link Heilongjiang to major cities across the country, as well as Russia, South Korea and the United States.

New airports at Suifenhe, Wudalianchi and Jiansanjiang will start operations soon.

They'll open up less-known but worthwhile sites like Jiansanjiang, an agritourism destination.

Xiang, for one, plans to drive around the Greater Hinggan Mountains.

"I want to explore and shoot photos deep in the forest, and bring home some special foods found on the mountainside," she says.

She hopes to also hop aboard a hot-air balloon to float over the Nanwang River.

That, indeed, would be cool.