Out here,
There is nothing to see really except in the summer time when the grasslands grow back. In the summer time these areas are popular tourist attractions for those who like to go camping around the lakes. Manzhouli is just the final Chinese city on the China/Russian border. You can either take the train ( overnight ride ) or fly into Hailaer and ride 3 hours on the train to Manzhouli. The train from Harbin is cheaper. Overnight ride is about 200rmb.
Most people out here are only out here due to business with Russia.
And of course it is much financially friendly than the bigger southern cities like Shanghai and Beijing.