If visiting China in winter to the Northeast part, one is expected to be completely intoxicated with the celebration mood and beautiful snowscape. There are at least two winter destinations you should not miss – Harbin, with lively and exciting Harbin Snow and Ice Festival, and lesser-known China Snow Town, a real snow fairyland featuring thick, abundant, high-viscosity and high-quality snow.
Due to the frequent convergence of cold air from the Baikal Lake and warm and humid air from the Sea of Japan here, as well as the influence of the mountainous and forested microclimate, the China Snow Town has a unique microclimate where "there are no three consecutive sunny days in summer and the forest is covered with snow in winter". The snowfall begins in October and continues until April of the following year, with a snow period of up to 7 months. The snow accumulation can reach about 2 meters. The snow presents a myriad of forms, creating this winter wonderland.
China Snow Town Facts
- In Chinese: 中国雪乡
- Other names: Xuexiang Snow Village, Shuangfeng Forest, Xuexiang Nation Forest Park
- Location: In the management area of the Da Hai Lin Forestry Bureau in Heilongjiang Province, at East Longitude 128.209921, North Latitude 44.332589
- Altitude: 1100m
- Highlights: The Snow Town Scenic Area, Primitive Forest Scenic Area, Wave River Rafting Scenic Area, Pear Blossom Village Scenic Area, Lianglou River Scenic Area, Dreamland, Snow Town Film Base, Snow Town Cultural Exhibition Hall, Yaocao Mountain, Big Snow Valley, Yaxue Station, etc.
- Entrance fee: During the peak season (from November 1st to April 30th of the following year), the price is 140 yuan. During the off-season (from May 1st to October 31st), it is 70 yuan. The round-trip fare for the sightseeing vehicle is 15 yuan.
- Suggested visiting duration: half day to one day
- Best for: Families with kids, couple, Ice and snow enthusiasts
Where is China Snow Town?
Snow Town, also known as Xuexiang in Chinese, is formerly named Shuangfeng Forest Farm. It is located at an elevation of 1500 meters in Hailin city, northeast China's Heilongjiang province, and 280 kilometers from Harbin city, at the junction of Zhang Guang Cai Mountain and Ge Ge Mountain of the Changbai Mountains.
Area: 186,000 hectares. With a snow period lasting for 7 months (from late October to next May) and the average snowfall reaching 2 meters, it is now celebrated as the hometown of snow in China.
What to See and What to Do in Snow Town Harbin China?
Snow Town comes to be known thanks to some international prizewinning images which bring the public purely beautiful landscape: a hundred Northeast folk houses are covered by heavy snow and connected together, forming various shapes like running horses, huge rabbits, mushrooms… Smoke curls up from kitchen chimneys. Snow hangs from the roof to the ground, creating a unique scene of "snow curtains".
Spring Festival (China’s New Year Festival) endows Snow Town a especially joyous ambient. Fireworks and big red lanterns hanging up in front of each house brighten the snow in night, and make it a colorful world.
In snow Town, make sure not miss wood buildings, racecourses, rimed pines, white birch forests, and stunning sunrise on Yangcao Mountain, as well as snow activities like snow skiing, snowmobiling, horse/dog-sled, hiking…
Great Snow Valley
Located at the 75-kilometer mark of the Yaxue Highway in China Snow Town, Great Snow Valley is commonly known as the Eight-Kilometer Gully Pond. Its scenery is breathtakingly beautiful throughout the four seasons. Serving as the optimal route to ascend Laotudingzi Peak—the highest peak in Heilongjiang—it caters to the outdoor hiking experiences of niche tourist groups. It has now become a renowned national outdoor traversing base for mountaineering enthusiasts near and far.
China Snow Town Film Base
Spanning 2.8 hectares with over 30 structures covering 2,000+ square meters, this base has hosted more than a dozen film and television crews over the past decade.
The Wave River Rafting Scenic Area
It is highly favored by rafting enthusiasts. The area has convenient transportation and communication. It is 72 kilometers away from Mudanjiang City and 340 kilometers away from Harbin. The Wave River meanders and the scenery on both banks is beautiful.
The Erlang River Scenic Area
It is 43 kilometers away from Xuexiang and 40 kilometers away from Yabuli Ski Resort. The scenic area of Erlang River has an altitude of 723 meters. The climate is similar to that of China Snow Village. Its snow volume, quality and viscosity are extremely special. There are also spectacular wonders such as snow formations that change with the objects and icicles and frost flowers.
Yangcaoshan Mountain
Located at the northwest corner of Xuexiang Snow Village, Yangcaoshan stands at 1,350 meters above sea level. Its name derives from the sparse trees and dense stands of broad-leaved sedge covering its summit. Qilin Rock and Pingchuan Valley offer surreal landscapes like a dream. Watching the sunrise, observing the rising smoke from kitchens, and ascending to the peak feels like entering a fairyland.
This area is the top choice for domestic and international hikers undertaking winter treks in China, with tens of thousands traversing Snow Village annually from here. It is also a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts.
>> Keep reading China Harbin Snow Town Hiking Guide | 3-Day Snow Town Tour from Harbin (with Xuexiang snow village wiinter snow hiking expeirence)
Primitive Forest Scenic Area
The Primitive Forest Scenic Area serves as the summer tourism hub of Xuexiang National Forest Park. Spanning 297 hectares, it preserves an intact primeval forest. In 2019, it was honored as “China's Most Beautiful Forest” by the magazine Forest and Humanity, published by China Green Times. Among its treasures, a millennia-old tree was awarded the title “China's Most Beautiful Red Pine” by the National Greening Committee Office and the Chinese Society of Forestry.
Snow Village Cultural Exhibition Hall
Located on Snow Rhythm Street in China Snow Snow, the Snow Village Cultural Exhibition Hall features cultural sections including the Snow Village Resources Display Area, Snow Village Forestry Culture Display Area, Snow Village History and Culture Display Area, Snow Village Anti-Japanese United Army History Display Area, Longjiang Calligraphy and Painting Display Area, and Snow Village Film and Television Culture Display Area. The hall also houses a service center providing visitors with essential hot beverages, light meals, cold-weather gear, and children's play areas.
Contact us for a tailor-made China Snow Town tour
China Snow Town Weather
Xuexiang has a temperate continental monsoon climate. Its has a long winter and heavy snowfall, with the snowfall period/accumulation period lasting from early October to the following April, and the accumulation period lasting for about 7 months.
The average temperature in China Snow Town in winter is approximately below -20℃, and the extreme minimum temperature can reach -30℃ to -40℃. The summer is short and cool, with an average temperature of about 20℃ in July.
What is the best time to visit Snow Town?
Generally speaking, January, February, March, November and December are the best time to travel to Xuexiang. It starts to snow in late October, but the snowscape has not shaped up until mid to late November with snow thickness of about 30-40 cm. Snow Town will not see many tourists in November and early December, making it an enjoyable time for those who prefer quietness.
While February and March is the best season for photography, when it snows most frequently with the biggest snowfall of the year.
>> Recommended China Harbin Tours:
- 4-Day Harbin & China Snow Town Tour (Snow Town winter exploration with Harbin city highlights)
- 7 Days Beijing Harbin Winter Tour (Fully customizable itinerary that take you to Xuexiang Snow Village)
How to Get to China Snow Town
From Changting Town to Snow Town
- Take the bus from Changting Town Bus Station to China Snow Town (departures daily at 6:40 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:50 PM) or take a taxi directly to Snow Town (fare approximately ¥200).
- Return shuttle from Xuexiang to Changting Town (departures daily at 5:30 AM, 6:30 AM, and 12:30 PM).
From Mudanjiang City to Snow Town
By Scenic Shuttle Bus
- Take the shuttle bus from Mudanjiang City to Snow Town (one daily departure). Departing Mudanjiang: Mudanjiang (14:00) — Hailin (16:50) — Shuangfeng Snow Village (20:00). Return from Snow Village: Shuangfeng Snow Village (5:30 AM) → Hailin (9:30 AM) → Mudanjiang (11:30 AM).
By Direct Bus
- Mudanjiang City Pickup Point: Mudanjiang Bus Station (West of Mudanjiang North Railway Station) | Departure Time: 7:30 AM Snow Village Scenic Area Pickup Point: Sightseeing shuttle transfer station for Mudanjiang-bound buses within the scenic area. Return time: 15:00 Fare: 60 RMB one-way (excludes admission)
From Harbin to Snow Town
By Train
- Take a train from Harbin Station to Yabuli Station or Yabuli West Station, then transfer to the Snow Village shuttle bus to reach Snow Village.
- Take a train from Harbin Station to Mudanjiang City, then transfer to the Snow Village direct shuttle or dedicated bus to reach Snow Village.
- Take a train from Harbin Station to Hailin City, transfer to a dedicated bus or taxi to reach Changxing Town (50 km from Hailin City to Changxing Town), then transfer to a dedicated bus or take a taxi to Snow Town (105 km from Changxing Town to Snow Village).
By Bus
- Usually in mid-December, you can take the direct bus from No. 6 on Central Street in Harbin to the Tourism Service Center of the Snow Town. Generally, there are two buses each day, passing by the Erlang River Scenic Area, Yabuli West Station and other places.
- One daily Jinlong Coach departs from Harbin West Bus Station to Changting Town. Departure time: 15:00. Arrival time: 20:00 at Changting Town. After arrival, transfer to a passenger bus or taxi to reach China Snow Town. Return bus from
- Changting Town to Harbin departs daily at 5:00 AM from Changting Bus Station.
By Air
Take a flight to Harbin or Mudanjiang Airport, and then take the direct bus to the Snow Town.
Where to Stay in China Snow Town: Hotels
The accommodation in Snow Town includes both business hotels and unique family inns operated by local residents of Snow Town, such as Snow Rhythm Boutique Folk House, Snow Rhythm Grand Hotel, Primitive Log House Villa, etc. With a warm heated floor and complemented by local farm dishes of Snow Town, you will deeply experience the unique lifestyle of the forest area in Northeast China. This will definitely make your trip to Snow Town unforgettable for a lifetime.
Authentic Local Food to Taste
Snow Village cuisine primarily employs cooking methods such as stewing, stir-frying, braising, and roasting, characterized by hearty textures, rich colors, and robust flavors. All dishes are prepared using locally grown vegetables, wild forest greens gathered from the woods, and home-raised poultry. Signature Snow Village dishes include the Eight Great Stews, Eight Great Stir-Fries, Eight Great Braised Dishes, and Eight Great Quick-Fried Dishes.
>> Learn more about Harbin Food
Travel tips to Snow Town:
- The average temperature in Snow Town is minus 15-30 degree Celsius. So when taking a China winter tour to Xuexiang, have enough clothing and warm boots to keep yourself from freezing outside, and also keep your camera warm to work with battery.
- Bring some medicines in case of getting cold.
- Sunglass against snow-blindness is a must.
- Prices of hotel room and entertaining activities will run up during the Spring Festival and New Year Day.