How to cross the Russia‑China border at Blagoveshchensk now

What changed in October

Since October 27 the procedure for crossing the Amur River at Blagoveshchensk has been altered. The summer ferry season, which began in May, has ended and the conventional vessels have gone into winter lay‑up. In their place three “puma” boats – small hover‑craft that locals simply call “pumas” – have started shuttling passengers between Russian Blagoveshchensk and Chinese Heihe until the river freezes.

How the “pumas” operate

• There are three boats on the route. Two hold about 20 people each, the third carries up to 10 passengers.
• In summer the ferries moved far more people, so the off‑season capacity is reduced.
• Tickets are already on sale, but the international carrier “Amurasso” warns that weather can cause delays.
• In strong wind a boat may have to stop, and passengers are then taken across the bridge by bus.

What happens when the river freezes

When temperatures drop below zero and ice forms on the Amur, the pumas stop running. The crossing then shifts to the pontoon bridge, which will stay in use until the river thaws completely. Until ice appears the boats keep running, but their timetable may change.

Road bridge – the main backup route

• The international bridge linking the border posts Kani‑Kurgan (Russia) and Heihe (China) remains open and operates as usual.
• Buses run on a schedule, so if the pumas are cancelled you can quickly switch to ground transport.
• In the off‑season the bridge has become the primary way to reach China when river traffic is limited.

How to prepare for the trip

1. Check the puma schedule – a few days before you leave confirm whether a boat will run on your intended date. The operator “Amurasso” posts the information.
2. Have a backup plan – if the pumas are not running, buy a bus ticket across the bridge. Bus timetables are usually steady, but they can also be weather‑dependent.
3. Mind the weather risks – autumn winds on the Amur often force unscheduled stops. If your journey isn’t urgent, it’s wiser to postpone until calmer conditions.
4. Airport – since October 9 all international flights from Blagoveshchensk are handled at the new terminal, making transfers to ground transport easier.

Why it matters for tourists

Vice‑premier Dmitry Chernyschenko noted a sharp rise in tourist flow through Blagoveshchensk. The city has become one of the key transit hubs in the Amur region. Knowing the new crossing rules helps avoid unnecessary delays and makes a trip to China more predictable.

Bottom line

• From October 27 onward the ferries are replaced by hover‑craft pumas.
• Three vessels, limited capacity, possible wind‑related delays.
• When the river freezes, the crossing moves to the pontoon bridge.
• The Kani‑Kurgan road bridge is a reliable fallback.
• Planning ahead – checking schedules and accounting for weather – is essential.

Travel across the Amur now needs a bit more forethought, but it remains a convenient way to reach China without long waits.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.