In ancient times the area was inhabited by the Donghu, the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, the Khitan, and the Mongols. During the decline of China's last dynasty, the Russian Empire forced the house of Qing to cede the Outer Manchurian territory in the 1858 Treaty of Aigun. That treaty effectively made the Argun River, which originates in this area, the border between the China and Russia. In 1901, the China Far East Railway was completed in accordance with the Sino-Russian Secret Treaty of 1896, linking Siberia, northeast China, and the Russian Far East. A settlement then formed around Manchzhuriya Station, the first stop within Manchuria for Russians. It was the beginning of the modern city of Manzhouli and the name of Manzhouli came from RussianМанжули. In 1905, Manzhouli was designated a trading center, greatly boosting Manzhouli's growth. In 1908 the Manzhouli customs was set up. Under the Republic of China, Manzhouli came under the jurisdiction of the province of Hsingan. In 1927, Manzhouli was designated as a city. Although with Hsingan and surrounding areas, Manzhouli came under Japanese control in 1931, and was part of the Empire of Manchuria from 1932 to 1945. It became part of Inner Mongolia under the China from 1946. In 1992, Manzhouli became one of the first land border cities opened up by the People's Republic of China. It has since experienced somewhat of a boom as a center of border trade between China and Russia.
Geography and climate
Manzhouli is located in the western part of the Hulunbuir prefecture-level city. To the east, south and west it borders New Barghu Left Banner and New Barghu Right Banner, also in Hulunbuir, and Russia to the north, with which it shares a border long. The Russian townlet of Zabaykalsk is situated immediately north of Abagaitu Islet and Manzhouli. Manzhouli is located on the Hulunbuir grasslands. Lake Hulun to its immediate south is the PRC's fifth largest freshwater lake with an area of and an average depth of just. Manzhouli has a rather dry, monsoon-influenced humid continental climate, with temperatures in winter capable of plummeting below. However, in each month there is more than 55% of possible sunshine, and over three-fourths of annual precipitation occurs from June to August.
Administration
Manzhouli is divided into ten subdistricts and one town. Six of the subdistricts of Manzhouli are grouped into Jalainur District. Technically however, only a prefecture-level city can have districts, so JalainurDistrict belongs to Hunlunbuir administratively though it is under Manzhouli's administration and covered in the statistics of Manzhouli.
Tourism
The border crossing with Russia is a tourist attraction. The Manzhouli China-Russia Border Tourist Area is a destination that brings together the border gate, a giant Matryoshka doll shaped hotel, and park filled with Matryoshka dolls. Other attractions within the scenic area are the No 41 Border Monument and the Locomotive Square. It had been rated as a AAAAA tourist attraction before being downgraded to 4A. Manzhouli Ice & Snow Festival takes place every winter from some time in February to early March. This is a smaller version of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.
Economy
Manzhouli is China's busiest land port of entry, and is responsible for 60% of all imports from and exports to Eastern Europe.
Demographics
Ninety-five percent of Manzhouli's population is Han Chinese. The remainder are Buryat, Russian, Mongol, Manchu, or of other ethnicities.
Media
Much of the plot of the 2018 film An Elephant Sitting Still revolves around a number of characters traveling to a circus in Manzhouli.
is located in the western part of the city. Passengers can fly to Beijing and Inner Mongolia's capital cityHohhot from the airport as well as the Russian city of Chita and the Mongolian capital city Ulaanbaatar via Choibalsan.
