Chaodeng Mongol Ethnic Town in Zhaoyuan County, Daqing

Chaodeng Mongol Ethnic Town (超等蒙古族乡) is located in the western part of Zhaoyuan County (肇源县) in Daqing (大庆), along the northern bank of the Songhua River (松花江) in western Heilongjiang Province. The township government is based in Youli Village (有利村), and the town covers an area of about 247.08 square kilometers.

The name “Chaodeng” evolved from the Mongolian word “Sudeng”, meaning “the place of sacred birds” or “a gentle slope shaped like a horse’s tail.” The area has long been an important Mongolian settlement and grassland cultural region in the western Songnen Plain (松嫩平原).

Historically, the region already had human settlements during the Liao and Jin Dynasties, leaving behind ancient relic sites such as Hongfendi (红坟地) and Yangshandi Southwest Ridge (羊山地西南冈). During the Qing Dynasty, it belonged to the Gorlos Rear Banner (郭尔罗斯后旗) and served as a Mongolian nomadic area as well as an important riverside military station along the Songhua River. The Qing government once established imperial sturgeon tribute fisheries here.

Today, the township preserves a strong atmosphere of traditional Mongolian culture, with vast grasslands, river wetlands, folk customs, and multi-ethnic traditions blending together across the region.

Villages and Ethnic Population

Chaodeng Mongol Ethnic Town administers 7 villages and 1 fishing community, including Youli Village (有利村), Chenggong Village (成功村), Chaodeng Village (超等村), Weixin Village (维新村), Gonghe Village (共和村), Ziyou Village (自由村), Boernuo Village (博尔诺村), and the Chaodeng Fishery Community (超等渔场生活区).

The township has a registered population of approximately 17,500 residents, including around 5,800 Mongolians, accounting for roughly one-third of the total population. Besides Mongolians, the area is also home to Han, Manchu, Hui, Xibe, and several other ethnic groups, forming a diverse multicultural settlement area in western Heilongjiang.

Grassland Landscape and Natural Ecology

The northern part of the township features expansive grasslands stretching across nearly 200,000 acres, while the southern riverside area contains wetlands, ponds, and marshes connected to the Songhua River ecosystem. The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons — lush green grasslands in summer, golden plains in autumn, and snow-covered prairie scenery in winter.

The area is known for its classic northern grassland environment, with open skies, grazing livestock, migratory birds, and beautiful sunset views over the plains and river wetlands.

Nomadic Time Scenic Area (游牧拾光景区)

The most famous tourism destination in the township is the Nomadic Time Scenic Area (游牧拾光景区), a large Mongolian cultural grassland resort covering nearly 20,000 acres.

The scenic area introduces traditional Buryat Mongolian (布里亚特蒙古族) nomadic culture and features herds of horses, cattle, sheep, and camels roaming across the grassland. Visitors can stay in traditional Mongolian yurts, ride horses or camels, sit on traditional Lele carts (勒勒车), watch wrestling and horse racing performances, and experience authentic grassland life.

Popular activities include milking cows, making milk tea, tasting roasted whole lamb, attending bonfire parties, and enjoying traditional Mongolian songs and dances under the grassland night sky.

Pomegranate Ethnic Culture Museum (红石榴民族文化馆)

Located beside the township fitness park, the Pomegranate Ethnic Culture Museum (红石榴民族文化馆) is one of the most distinctive cultural attractions in the region. It is the first multi-ethnic culture museum in Heilongjiang Province and serves as a municipal ethnic unity education base.

The museum contains eight themed exhibition halls displaying Mongolian costumes, saddles, four-string instruments, shamanic ritual objects, traditional household tools, and cultural artifacts from 18 ethnic groups living in the area. The museum provides a compact but vivid introduction to the history of ethnic integration along the Songhua River grasslands.

Gonghe Village Ovoo (共和村敖包)

The Gonghe Village Ovoo (共和村敖包) is an important Mongolian sacred worship site dating back to the Qing Dynasty. The stone-built main ovoo is surrounded by smaller ovoos and colorful prayer flags, standing prominently on the open grassland.

Every year on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month, local Mongolian communities gather here for traditional worship ceremonies. Ritual activities include offering hada scarves, milk wine, and whole sheep sacrifices while circling the ovoo clockwise to pray for peace, prosperity, and good fortune.

Wolong Spring Sacred Tree (卧龙泉神树)

The famous Wolong Spring Sacred Tree (卧龙泉神树) in Wolongquan Hamlet (卧龙泉屯) is a giant ancient willow tree believed to be over 500 years old, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

For local Mongolian communities, the sacred tree symbolizes blessings and spiritual protection. Visitors often tie hada scarves onto the branches and make wishes beneath the enormous canopy. The site carries a peaceful spiritual atmosphere and is deeply connected to local folk beliefs.

Historical Relics and River Military Heritage

Chaodeng also preserves several ancient settlement sites from the Liao and Jin periods, including the remains at Hongfendi, Yangshandi Southwest Ridge, and Shanwanyu (山湾于). These archaeological sites reveal the long history of settlement and nomadic activity in the western Songnen Plain.

During the Qing Dynasty, the area also served as a riverside naval station along the Songhua River, responsible for transporting tribute fish such as sturgeon to the imperial court.

Mongolian Folk Customs and Festivals

Traditional Mongolian festivals and folk activities remain an important part of local life. The annual Naadam Festival (那达慕大会) held in August features horse racing, wrestling, archery, horseback performances, and traditional grassland sports.

The Ovoo Worship Festival held in early summer preserves complete traditional Mongolian sacrificial rituals, while the Milk Food Festival in July showcases traditional dairy-making techniques including milk tofu, milk skin, yogurt, and milk wine production.

Visitors may also encounter traditional Buryat Mongolian wedding performances, featuring fire worship rituals, toasting songs, milk wine ceremonies, and symbolic bridal customs.

Travel Guide to Chaodeng Mongol Ethnic Town

Transportation

Self-driving is the most convenient way to reach the township. From Zhaoyuan County Town (肇源县城) to Chaodeng Mongol Ethnic Town, the journey is about 30 kilometers and takes roughly 40 minutes by car. Roads are generally in good condition.

Long-distance buses also operate daily from the Zhaoyuan Bus Station (肇源客运站) to the township, with travel times of approximately one hour.

Inside the township, chartered vehicles are recommended for visiting the scattered attractions, while cycling is also popular thanks to the flat grassland roads.

Best Time to Visit

The best travel season is from June to October.

Summer offers green grasslands, blooming wildflowers, Naadam festivals, and ovoo ceremonies, making it the liveliest season for cultural experiences. Autumn brings golden grassland scenery and excellent photography opportunities, while winter transforms the region into a snow-covered prairie with winter horse racing and ice activities.

Recommended One-Day Mongolian Cultural Route

A classic one-day itinerary usually begins at the Pomegranate Ethnic Culture Museum, where visitors can learn about Mongolian history and local ethnic traditions. Travelers then continue to the Gonghe Village Ovoo for blessing rituals before visiting the Wolong Spring Sacred Tree.

At noon, visitors can enjoy traditional Mongolian cuisine at the Nomadic Time Mongolian Camp, including hand-grab lamb, roasted beef, salty milk tea, and dairy foods.

In the afternoon, travelers can fully experience the Nomadic Time Scenic Area through horseback riding, camel riding, archery, wrestling interactions, milk-food workshops, and traditional music performances.

The evening is the most atmospheric time on the grassland, when visitors can photograph the golden sunset before joining a bonfire party with Mongolian singing, dancing, and long-tune folk music performances beneath the stars.

Accommodation and Mongolian Cuisine

The most recommended accommodation is the traditional Mongolian yurt camp inside the Nomadic Time Scenic Area, where visitors can stay in decorated yurts featuring carpets, carved furniture, and traditional hada decorations.

Traditional foods worth trying include hand-grab lamb, roasted lamb ribs, Mongolian blood sausage, beef soup, salty milk tea, milk tofu, yogurt, cheese, Mongolian pies, fried millet, and Buryat-style bread.

Mongolian Etiquette and Travel Tips

When entering a Mongolian yurt, visitors should avoid stepping on the threshold and traditionally enter from the left side. During toasts, drinks are accepted with the right hand, and local customs often include symbolic offerings to heaven, earth, and ancestors before drinking.

At ovoo sites and sacred trees, visitors should always walk clockwise and avoid climbing or damaging the sacred structures. Respecting the fragile grassland ecology is also important — avoid picking wildflowers or leaving litter behind.

Recommended 2-Day Regional Route

Day 1: Zhaoyuan County Town → Chaodeng Mongol Ethnic Town → Pomegranate Ethnic Culture Museum → Gonghe Village Ovoo → Wolong Spring Sacred Tree → Nomadic Time Scenic Area → Bonfire Party and Grassland Stay.

Day 2: Chaodeng Township → Maoxing Town (茂兴镇) → Sancha River “Yin-Yang Boundary” Landscape → Songhua River Riverside Scenic Area → Return to Zhaoyuan County Town.