Wetland parks offer escape from heat in Harbin

Tourists admire blossoming lotuses at a wetland park in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. HARBIN — While many Chinese cities are still battling the summer heat, citizens in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, are flocking to the riverbank beaches in the Hulan Estuary Wetland Park to enjoy refreshing water activities and outdoor barbecues. On one Chinese social media platform, wetland parks such as "Sun Island Scenic Area" and "Hulan Estuary Wetland Park" have repeatedly appeared among the top search terms for tourist attractions, with many tourists posting photos and notes sharing their experiences. Recently, a China-Russia invitational canoeing competition commenced on the Hulan River at the Hulan Estuary Wetland Park, attracting more than 3,000 Chinese spectators and over 100 Russians. "We have established internal management systems focusing on wetland protection, animal preservation and water-quality monitoring, standardizing protection operations," said He Xiaohu, director of the operations department of Harbin Alejin Business Management Company, which is responsible for the park's management.