<P> Russian Cossack expeditions led by Vassili Poyarkov and Yerofey Khabarov explored the Amur and its tributaries in 1643--44 and 1649--51, respectively . The Cossacks established the fort of Albazin on the upper Amur, at the site of the former capital of the Solons . </P> <P> At the time, the Manchus were busy with conquering the region; but a few decades later, during the Kangxi era, they turned their attention to their north - Manchurian backyard . Aigun was reestablished near the supposed Ming site in about 1683--84, and a military expeditions was sent upstream to dislodge the Russians, whose Albazin establishment deprived the Manchu rulers from the tribute of sable pelts that the Solons and Daurs of the area would supply otherwise . Albazin fell during a short military campaign in 1685 . The hostilities were concluded in 1689 by the Treaty of Nerchinsk, which left the entire Amur valley, from the convergence of the Shilka and the Ergune downstream, in Chinese hands . </P> <P> Fedor Soimonov was sent to map the then little explored area of the Amur in 1757 . He mapped the Shilka, which was partly in Chinese territory, but was turned back when he reached its confluence with the Argun . The Russian proselytization of Orthodox Christianity to the indigenous peoples along the Amur River was viewed as a threat by the Qing . </P> <P> The Amur region remained a relative backwater of the Qing Empire for the next century and a half, with Aigun being practically the only major town on the river . Russians re-appeared on the river in the mid-19th century, forcing the Manchus to yield all lands north of the river to the Russian Empire by the Treaty of Aigun (1858). Lands east of the Ussury and the lower Amur were acquired by Russia as well, by the Convention of Peking (1860). </P>

Where does the river amur start and end