Area
Xuexiang (Snow Town)
China's snowiest fairytale village buried in winter magic
Snow mushrooms (iconic piled snow formations on rooftops and stumps)Snow-blanketed wooden houses with red lanternsHorseback riding through snow-covered forestChina's deepest natural snowfall regionWinter photography destination
Best Time to Visit:December–February for peak snow depths and most magical conditions; January is the ideal month with deepest snowfall
Asia/Shanghai
CNY
Mandarin, Northeast dialect
About Xuexiang (Snow Town)
Xuexiang (literally "snow village") sits at 1,100 metres in the Greater Khingan forest, where heavy snowfall begins in November and persists until March. The village's signature feature is the "snow mushrooms" — mounds of sticky snow piling improbably high on rooftops, wood stacks, and tree stumps. Red lanterns glow against white walls; strings of golden corn and red chili peppers decorate the eaves. Horseback rides through snow-covered forest tracks at dawn and snowmobile tours through the forest are among Heilongjiang's most magical winter experiences.
Highlights
1
Dawn walk through the deeply snow-covered village
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Horseback riding through forest snow trails
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Snow mushroom formations on every rooftop and stump
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Snowmobile tours through the fir forest
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Photography of lantern-lit houses in deep winter snow
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Dog sledding and ice sliding activities
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Subarctic forest climate. Extreme winters with temperatures regularly below -20°C. Snow covers the ground October–March. Summers are warm and green. The area receives over 2 metres of annual snowfall — one of China's highest-snowfall regions.
Getting There
Xuexiang is 280 km from Harbin and 85 km southwest of Mudanjiang city. From Harbin: 4–5 hours by coach or private car via Hailin. From Mudanjiang: 2 hours by private car. No direct public transit to the village — private car or organized tour package is necessary. Most visitors book packages from Harbin.
Practical Tips
Book accommodation at least 2 weeks in advance for January — the most popular month by far
Dress in extreme cold-weather gear: thermal base layers, insulated jacket, waterproof shell, warm hat and gloves, insulated waterproof boots
The village is small and can feel crowded in peak season — early morning is best for uncrowded photography
Snowmobile and horseback experiences book out fast — reserve when booking your accommodation
Cold drains phone batteries rapidly — bring a power bank and keep it warm inside your jacket
Quick Facts
Best Time to Visit
December–February for peak snow depths and most magical conditions; January is the ideal month with deepest snowfall
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Currency
CNY
Language
Mandarin, Northeast dialect