Khabarovsk Territory > Amur river

Amur river

Amur is one of the great rivers on the Far East of Russia, and is among the ten biggest rivers of the world. Part of the frontier between Russia and China lies along Amur.

The history of the peoples of the Amur region counts many millennia long. Thus on the rocky banks of the river there were found drawings (The Pisanitsa of Amur), which are more ancient than the Egyptian Hieroglyphes.

There is a multitude of ethnographic villaggs and ethnocultural centers in the region.

The local inhabitants have con served their traditional way of life. National festivals, rites and contests are held here on regular basis. They have their own unique flavour and are very unusual to a modern man’s eye.

You will be amazed by the diversity and originality of the amateur and folk arts - one of the most striking examples would be traditional clothing. It can be made of very unusual materials, like, for instance, fishskin.

Often the garments are decorated with elaborate patterns, applique works, decorations made of leather, metal and gems. Local craftsmen brought to perfection their skills in carving wood and bone as well as in wood painting.

A cruise on Amur is the best ecological route. There is a multitude of reserves there, established to protect the unique flora and fauna of the region. The mighty and beautiful Amur tiger the biggest species of tigers there is, lives there as well as the brown and black bears, sables, foxes, reindeers, a multitude of birds and a few rare species of cranes and storks.

Not a lot of rivers could boast such a diversity of fish - Amur is home to more than 130 species. Both the rare mandarin fish and the gigantic great Siberian sturgeon can be found here.

Along your way you can visit such cities as Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-na-Amure and Nikolayevsk-na-Amure.