Popular song puts China's northernmost point in spotlight

"It is a good chance to promote our city across the country," she said. "At the same time, the song also reminded all residents to remember the painful memory and prevent a similar accident."

"Although I didn't experience the disaster, I have been told stories of it since my childhood," she said. "Our city also holds commemorative activities on May 6 every year, helping us remember the history."

Mohe is one of the few places in China with a subarctic climate-long, severe winters and short, warm summers. Winter begins in early to mid-October and lasts until late April, and it is the coldest place in China with the record for the lowest temperature — -52.3 C in 1956.

But if the climate suggests an inhospitable place, nothing could be further from the truth. China's frontier with Russia has a raw beauty that attracts tourists every year, although most visit in summer to witness the aurora borealis, or northern lights.

Beiji village, 88 kilometers from the central city, attracts almost all of the tourists who come to Mohe. It boasts China's northernmost bank and post office, as well as a painted line marking the northernmost point in China.

Tourists can look out on the border with Russia from the village and observe the aurora borealis on Shenzhou Beiji Square during summer, when daylight can last up to 20 hours.

Seizing the opportunity, the local tourism department held a series of promotions to create its own cultural brand.

Since October the city's bureau of culture, radio, film, television, tourism and sports has published several short videos about the song on its official account, inviting tourists to travel to Mohe.

"The local government has developed the tourism industry since 1981," Feng Guangqing, director of the bureau, told China Tourism News. "However, due to the long distance and inconvenient traffic, we haven't seen a large influx of tourists as other famous tourist destinations."

"The song can make people feel the warmth of the city and the humanistic emotions in Mohe, attracting more tourists, especially those who haven't been here," he said.

Moreover, the city's government on Nov 11 published a statement asking for warm, inspiring stories from the city.

Residents can send stories in the form of writing, audio or video to the city's publicity department, telling tales of love, family affection and everyday heroism.