HARBIN, August 2, 2026: The main structure of the first cross-border passenger ropeway linking China and Russia has been completed, bringing the project closer to opening between the neighbouring cities of Heihe and Blagoveshchensk.
The ropeway will cross the Heilongjiang River—known as the Amur River in Russia—and is expected to reduce travel time between the two border cities to between six and eight minutes once operational. Chinese officials said the project is scheduled for completion before the end of 2026.
Construction began in July 2019 as part of efforts to improve cross-border transport, tourism and economic links between northeast China and Russia’s Far East.
Ropeway Designed to Carry 2.6 Million Passengers Annually
The China-Russia cross-border ropeway has a horizontal span of 970 metres across the river and will operate with two passenger cabins.
Each cabin will be able to carry up to 110 people, while the system will operate at a maximum speed of 12 metres per second.
According to Cao Xinhong, chairman of Jinlonggang Construction and Development Co., the contractor for the Chinese section, the ropeway is designed to handle up to 2.6 million one-way passenger journeys annually.
Heihe and Blagoveshchensk Expand Transport Links
Heihe, in China’s Heilongjiang province, and Blagoveshchensk, in Russia’s Amur region, face each other across the river and have longstanding trade, cultural and tourism links.
The Heihe-Blagoveshchensk highway bridge opened to traffic in 2022, becoming the first road bridge directly connecting China and Russia.
Once the ropeway begins operating, Heihe will have three main cross-border transport links: the highway bridge, ferry services and the new passenger cable car.
Officials expect the expanded network to support tourism, trade, logistics and wider economic activity on both sides of the border.
Passenger Traffic Through Heihe Port Rises
Improved transport links and visa facilitation have already increased cross-border travel between the two countries.
Passenger movement through Heihe Port exceeded 568,000 arrivals and departures during the first half of 2026, an increase of more than 60% compared with the same period a year earlier, according to figures cited by Chinese officials.
The ropeway is expected to provide travellers with a faster year-round alternative to river ferries while further strengthening connections between the twin border cities.
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