Suifenhe Border Port in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang

Suifenhe Border Port (绥芬河口岸) is the largest land border crossing in Heilongjiang Province and the third-largest railway border port in China. It is often referred to as the “Golden Gateway” connecting Northeast Asia to the Asia-Pacific region.

Overview

Location

Suifenhe is a picturesque mountain city located at the northern tip of the Changbai Mountains (长白山). It has been an international trading port for nearly a century. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was designated as a Class I national border port, serving the trade and logistics needs between China and Russia.

Suifenhe is at the heart of the Northeast Asia economic zone, serving as China’s land trade gateway to the Sea of Japan. The port is located just 230 kilometers from Russia’s largest port city, Vladivostok (海参崴), and is connected to Russia via one railway line and two highways. It acts as a key link for land and sea trade between China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea, facilitating multilateral international economic cooperation in Northeast Asia.

History and Development

Key Milestones

  • 2014: The third-generation national gateway of Suifenhe Border Port was officially opened, standing at over 50 meters high with a span of over 80 meters.

  • 2024: As of November 6, 2024, Suifenhe has handled 805 China-Europe freight trains, transporting 77,168 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), marking a 13% increase in trains and 7% growth in cargo volume compared to the previous year.

Facilities and Operations

Rail Port

  • Capacity: In 2025, Suifenhe will implement “Heavy In, Heavy Out” operations for railways, allowing full-load trains from Russia to return with Chinese goods, increasing cross-border efficiency.

  • Passenger Flow: During peak seasons, Suifenhe’s railway port has handled 125,000 passengers, with 6,864 border-crossing passengers, setting a new three-year high.

Road Port

  • Facilities: By 2025, a new property service contract will optimize the road port’s management with a budget of 2.4 million yuan.

  • Specialized Business: The road port handles imports such as coal (397,000 tons in 2024) and wood, while also exporting goods like flowers and ice cream.

Trade and Economic Impact

Major Business

Suifenhe handles significant imports and exports, particularly for commodities such as:

  • Imports: Coal, timber, and other materials.

  • Exports: Flowers, ice cream, and other perishable goods.

Trade Volume

  • 2023: From January to July, Suifenhe’s railway port transported 5.6 million tons of cargo, including 4.8 million tons of import and export goods.

  • 2022: The port facilitated 218 China-Europe freight train services, moving 20,358 TEUs, a remarkable 88.6% increase in trains and a 97.3% increase in cargo volume compared to the previous year.

Infrastructure Upgrades

Port Expansion

The Suifenhe Border Port is undergoing continuous expansion to keep up with the rapid growth of international trade. Notable upgrades include:

  • New Border Gate: The newly designed border gate is 51.8 meters high and 81.8 meters long, with an 8-lane capacity for both directions.

  • Passenger and Cargo Inspection: The new integrated customs and inspection buildings feature 24 passenger inspection lanes and 12 cargo inspection channels.

  • Annual Capacity: The new port infrastructure is designed to handle up to 6 million passengers, 550,000 vehicles, and 5.5 million tons of goods annually.

Regional Significance

Suifenhe Border Port plays a crucial role in the economic development of Northeast Asia, particularly for Sino-Russian trade. The port serves as a key point in China’s trade route with Russia, Japan, and other international partners. Suifenhe’s strategic position on the China-Russia border makes it a critical hub for raw materials like timber and coal, facilitating a robust international logistics network.

Future Prospects

With its advantageous geographical location, Suifenhe is increasingly becoming a major hub for timber processing. The city is leveraging its status as China’s largest timber import point to develop a thriving wood-processing industry, attracting numerous businesses to set up operations in the area.

The port’s expansion and the ongoing development of its logistical capabilities are set to position Suifenhe as an essential gateway for trade between China and Russia. The port’s efficient cross-border operations will continue to support the dynamic economic cooperation between China and Russia, strengthening its role in global trade.

Practical Information

  • Address: Suifenhe Border Port, Youyi Avenue (友谊大道) 2, Suifenhe City, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China.

  • Operating Hours: Road Port: 08:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Railway Port: Open 24 hours.

  • Contact: Suifenhe Port Management Committee, Station Front Road 60, Suifenhe City.

  • Nearby Attractions: Century-Old Border (百年口岸), China-Russia Trade and Business Park (中俄商贸园区).