Erka Border Port in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia

Erka Border Port (二卡口岸) is located in the Zhalainuoer District (扎赉诺尔区) of Manzhouli City (满洲里市), Hulunbuir (呼伦贝尔), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), China. It lies at 49°31′ N latitude and 117°44′ E longitude, approximately 30 kilometers from Manzhouli City (满洲里市) and 10 kilometers from the Zhalainuoer District. The port is situated near National Highway 301 (301国道) and is close to the Russian town of Abagat (阿巴该图).

Geographical Location and Administrative Division

• Location: The port is positioned 30 kilometers from Manzhouli City (满洲里市) and 10 kilometers from the Zhalainuoer District, with easy access to National Highway 301 (301国道).

• Administrative Status: Zhalainuoer District is a county-level district under Manzhouli City, which administers the area.

Border Port Function and Transportation

Cross-Border Trade

The Erka Border Port is one of the significant land ports on the China-Russia (中俄) border. It plays a crucial role in the road transportation of goods between China and Russia. The port is situated near the Russian town of Abagat (阿巴该图), with approximately 100,000 residents. The region is known for its rich natural resources, including minerals.

Currently, the Erka Port is equipped with a comprehensive inspection building and eight bidirectional passageways, although passenger transportation (客运) has not yet been officially opened.

Transportation Network

• Railway Connection: The port is located near the Binzhou Railway (滨洲铁路) terminal, which is the end point of the railway connecting Harbin (哈尔滨) to Manzhouli (满洲里). It provides direct land access to the main urban areas of Manzhouli (满洲里) and the Russian towns in the region.

• Road Access: The port is accessible via National Highway 301 (301国道), making it well connected to both the Chinese and Russian sides of the border.

Surrounding Attractions

Manzhouli Erka National Wetland Park (满洲里二卡国家湿地公园)

Located near the port, this wetland park (湿地公园) is a designated ecological protection area. It is open throughout the year, offering visitors a chance to explore its diverse flora and fauna.

Heishantou Port (黑山头口岸)

Located within Erguna City (额尔古纳市) and also under the jurisdiction of Hulunbuir, Heishantou Port is another key China-Russia (中俄) border crossing. Unlike Erka Port, it serves a different route connecting China and Russia.

Feasibility of Opening the Border Port

Manzhouli, located along the China-Russia (中俄) border, has an established economy, primarily driven by resources like coal, copper, and molybdenum, as well as a robust fishing industry . With a population of approximately 137,800 people, the region includes the Zhalainuoer Mining Area (扎赉诺尔矿区) and seven urban districts.

In 1990, the local agricultural production value was estimated at 63.83 million RMB, with 58,000 livestock  raised in the area. The port’s opening is expected to facilitate the import/export of 10-15 million tons of cargo per year, while passenger traffic is expected to reach 30,000-50,000 people annually. This will help alleviate the pressure on the Manzhouli Railway (满洲里铁路) and enhance the overall logistics efficiency between China and Russia.

Border Port Management and Development

Following the opening of the port, inspection duties (查验任务) are currently managed by the Manzhouli Port Inspection Unit (满洲里口岸联检单位). As the port handles increasing cargo and passenger volumes, there may be plans to establish a dedicated inspection unit (联检单位) at Erka Port to streamline operations.

The port’s development is being overseen by the local government, which is responsible for expanding its infrastructure, including the completion of additional inspection facilities and transportation connections.

Erka Border Port (二卡口岸) is a key gateway for China-Russia (中俄) trade, offering important road and rail connections between the two nations. With its rich history and strategic location, the port is set to become a vital hub for economic growth in the region, enhancing trade and tourism between China and Russia.