Plan at a glance
Area and ticketing
Hutou Scenic Area is in Hutou Town, Hulin. It combines historical sites in the town with viewpoints and attractions along the Ussuri River. The visitor center and the individual sites can each be used as navigation targets, so choose the day's destinations before setting out.
The Hutou Fortress Ruins Museum and some other sites can be visited free of charge. The World War II End Memorial Park and the Ussuri River First Tower have separate admission: RMB 25 each in the peak season from May 1 to October 31, and RMB 20 each in the off-season. Boat trips are charged separately. Check the seasonal notice before paying.
How much time to allow
The riverfront, the Tianxia Diyi Hu (天下第一虎, “World's No. 1 Tiger”) sculpture, and the fortress museum make a short visit of about two hours. If you combine the museum, memorial park, Guandi Temple, and riverfront stops, allow about four to five hours because the sites are spread out and require walking or vehicle transfers.
Zhenbao Island is a separate border-area trip about 70 km north of Hutou Town. Plan its access, road conditions, and boat arrangements separately rather than treating it as part of the Hutou circuit.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Hutou Fortress Ruins Museum
The museum's two above-ground floors use photographs, documents, and objects to explain the Japanese occupation of Northeast China, the anti-Japanese resistance, and the final stage of the Second World War. The underground remains include areas such as a command post, ammunition store, and medical room. The underground entrance is reached from the second floor.
A highlights-only visit takes about one hour. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to read the galleries and follow the underground route in detail. The underground passages are low, damp, and stepped, so treat the site as a memorial space and keep the visit respectful.
Memorial park, riverfront, and town sites
The World War II End Memorial Park adds context to the Hutou battle history and works well with the fortress museum for visitors interested in modern history or families travelling with an educational focus. Guandi Temple, the Tianxia Diyi Hu sculpture, and the Ussuri River source marker are separate outdoor stops.
The riverfront is suitable for a walk in the open visitor area. The First Tower and boat trip are optional paid experiences. Border management and water conditions affect where you can go and whether boats operate, so stay within the open riverbank area.
Build your day
About two hours: riverfront short route
Start at the riverfront, see the Ussuri River source marker and the Tianxia Diyi Hu sculpture, then continue to the Hutou Fortress Ruins Museum. The route takes about two hours. If the museum is close to its 16:00 last entry, visit it first and leave the riverfront and sculpture for afterwards.
The sites are spread out and there is little internal visitor transport. Leave time for walking or for driving between stops.
About four to five hours: history and river route
Begin at the Hutou Fortress Ruins Museum and spend 1.5 to 2 hours on the above-ground exhibitions and underground remains. Continue to the World War II End Memorial Park, then Guandi Temple, and finish at the Ussuri River source marker and riverfront. Allow about four to five hours for the full land route.
Return by the private car, hired vehicle, or coach arrangement made before the visit.
Get there
From Hulin or Jixi
Coaches from Hulin Coach Station to Hutou take about one hour and cost around RMB 12. Confirm departure times and the last return service for the day. Once in Hutou, the individual sites still require walking or separate transport.
Driving from central Jixi to Hutou takes about two to three hours. A private car or hired vehicle is useful because the sites are spread across the town. Without a car, confirm the Hulin–Hutou return services and the last departure before you go.
Navigation and the return trip
Search for the exact destination you want, such as “Hutou Fortress Ruins Museum,” “World War II End Memorial Park,” “Tianxia Diyi Hu (天下第一虎),” or “Ussuri River Source.” The visitor center is not a single entrance serving every site; follow local signs after entering Hutou.
Arrange your return vehicle or coach before starting the long route. Food options in Hutou are limited, so carry drinking water and a small snack if you plan to stay four to five hours.
Know before you go
Separate opening hours and charges
The Hutou Fortress Ruins Museum usually stays open until 16:30 and stops entry at 16:00. Bring a valid identity document. Visitors with foreign passports or other overseas documents should confirm the registration process in advance. Other Hutou sites are managed separately, so check each site's same-day notice and confirm the museum time before planning the riverfront stops.
The Ussuri River First Tower costs RMB 25 in peak season and RMB 20 in the off-season. Boats are extra; sailing times, landing arrangements, and tower access can change with weather, water levels, and on-site management.
Underground fortifications and border safety
The underground passages are slippery and damp, with low ceilings and steps, and take about 40 minutes to walk. Visitors with claustrophobia, limited mobility, strollers, or wheelchairs should remain in the above-ground galleries and memorial park. Wear shoes with good grip and follow the museum route.
Stay in open visitor areas. Do not cross barriers, enter border-controlled or military areas, approach sentry posts, photograph sensitive facilities, or fly a drone. Boat departures, landings, and any island access depend on that day's border management, water level, weather, and on-site instructions.