Plan at a glance
The fan-shaped engine houses and museum entrance
The Chinese Eastern Railway Locomotive Depot is now the Chinese Eastern Railway Museum on Foshan Road in Hengdaohezi Town, Hailin. It has one entrance and a car park in front. Other town buildings can be connected on foot, but the locomotive depot itself is a separate paid venue.
Ticket and opening hours
The reference ticket price is CNY 30 per person, with free admission for children under 1.2 metres; no reservation is required. The common schedule is Tuesday–Sunday, 09:00–16:00, with Monday closure. There have also been cases of extended opening or no Monday closure, so check the actual arrangement before departure.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
The 1903 fan-shaped locomotive depot
The depot consists of 15 adjoining engine houses arranged in a fan shape. Red brick, arched entrances and black wooden doors are the main exterior details. Visitors interested in railway history and industrial architecture can first view the whole complex from the forecourt, then walk around it to see the houses and tracks from different angles.
The steam locomotive and history galleries
The “Shangyou 1772” steam locomotive in the centre of the forecourt is one of the museum's main physical exhibits. Inside the engine houses are panels on the Chinese Eastern Railway, train models and related artefacts. If entry to the cab is allowed that day, add the instruments and front details to the visit after confirming the on-site rules.
Who it suits
Railway enthusiasts, history lovers, architectural photographers and families introducing children to industrial heritage can allow about one hour. Visitors who only want to see the fan-shaped exterior and locomotive need about 30–45 minutes; reading the galleries and walking around the buildings takes longer.
For a separate wildlife visit outside town, see Hengdaohezi Northeast Tiger Park.
Build your day
The 30–45-minute short route
Enter through the gate, photograph the full fan-shaped depot from the forecourt, view the central steam locomotive, then make a quick pass through the history galleries. If the venue closes early or some areas are unavailable, prioritise the exterior and locomotive before deciding whether to continue reading the displays.
The 1–1.5-hour complete route
Start with the background information at the entrance, then walk around the fan-shaped engine houses and the remaining track, viewing the red-brick arches from different angles. Next visit the “Shangyou 1772” locomotive and cab, and finish inside the engine houses with the models, panels and physical exhibits. Complete entry before 16:00 rather than arriving at closing time.
Linking it with a town walk
After the locomotive depot, walk to the old Russian-style street and the Church of the Entry of the Mother of God. Then decide whether to continue to the Oil Painting Village according to your return transport. The Northeast Tiger Park can be scheduled as a separate half-day or full-day visit, with its visiting time calculated independently.
Get there
From Hengdaohezi East Station
After taking a high-speed train from Harbin or Mudanjiang to Hengdaohezi East Station, take a taxi or local transport to the locomotive depot. Drivers can follow National Highway 301 and navigate to Foshan Road. There is no metro service; the old street, church and locomotive depot are suitable for walking between them.
Parking and supplies in town
There is a car park at the depot entrance. After parking, continue on foot to explore the town buildings. Public toilets in town may be closed outside holidays, so use the facilities at your accommodation or a restaurant before a long visit. Jinbing flatbread and malatang are local food leads.
Know before you go
Confirm the opening status
Monday closure is common, but there have been exceptions. Visitor reception may also stop around 16:00 in the afternoon. If the locomotive depot is the main purpose of your Hengdaohezi visit, confirm the opening day, last admission time and whether areas such as the cab are open.
Photography and pace
The hillside offers an elevated view of the whole fan-shaped complex; nearby positions are better for photographing the arches, red brick and wooden doors. Once inside, follow the gallery route and do not wait until closing time to start the complete itinerary. With children, follow the designated path near the tracks, locomotive and steps.
Plan other venues separately
The locomotive-depot ticket covers this museum only. The old Russian-style street is a free public area, while the Northeast Tiger Park and Weihushan Film City have their own tickets and opening hours. On a Monday visit, walk the streets and see the exteriors first, then schedule indoor venues for an open day.