China Snow Town (Tips, Photos & Map)

Dear Travellers,

It is worth having a two-day side trip from Harbin to China Snow Town if you are interested in experiencing the coldest weather and heaviest snow in China.

China Snow Town, also known as China Snow Village or literally Zhongguo Xuexiang (中国雪乡) in Chinese is reputed as the most desirable place to experience the thickest snow and plentiful snow activities in China.

Location of China Snow Town

Located in the Xuexiang National Forest Park, China Snow Town is officially the seat of Shuangfeng Forest Farm (双峰林场) in Changtingzhen Township (长汀镇) at Hailin City (海林市), Mudanjiang (牡丹江), Heilongjian Province. The forest farm is under the administration of Dahailin Forestry Bureau (大海林林业局).

China Snow Town, recognized by Google also as Xuexiang National Forest Park, is located 15km to the northwest of Changtingzhen Township, 85km to the west of Mudanjiang and 350km to the southeast of Harbin by road.

Xuexiang National Forest Park

China Snow Town is a one-horse town nestled in a valley surrounded by the thick mountain forest in Xuexiang National Forest Park. The Xuexiang National Forest Park is no longer allowed to cut trees for logging trade due to the new policies from the local government. The main task of these forest farms is to raise or take care of the trees in their controlled areas respectively.

Xuexiang National Forest Park's unique geological location results in nearly 7-month snowing period in the town, the thickest snow in China. The snow in the town is both thick and sticky, a feature making the town a snow fairyland.

In winter, the traditional houses and courtyards in China Snow Town are decorated by the thick snow, creating magnificent natural snow engraving arts – snow mushrooms, snow curtains, snow rabbits, snow horses.

At night, the whole town is lit up by the red lanterns hanging outside their houses and on the streets, making the snow town a romantic place for wandering and unwinding.

Since 2000, Xuexiang National Forest Park has become more and more popular for its snow landscape featuring the snow arts bestowed by the nature. Gradually Xuexiang National Forest Park has been transformed from a traditional forest farm area into a hot snow destination, attracting thousands of visitors each winter.

Best Time to Visit China Snow Town (Xuexiang)

Now China Snow Town has become the password of Xuexiang National Forest Park . The best time to visit China Snow Town ranges from December to February.

How to Get to China Snow Town (Xuexiang)

Harbin, Mundanjiang and Changtingzhen are the the main entry places where you can take long-distance buses or hire a vehicle to get to China Snow Town.

Xuexiang - Harbin Direct Tourist Shuttle Bus

Harbin - Xuexiang Direct Tourist Shuttle Bus

Changtingzhen Township - Xuexiang

Mudanjiang -- Xuexiang

Harbin -- Xuexiang (Train + Bus)

China Snow Town Tourist Center ( You can buy bus tickets )

China Snow Town is a one-street town. The street is known as "Xueyun Dajie", about 500 meters long. The tourist center is located in the middle section of the street, near Xueyunge Hotel 雪韵阁酒店.

Where to Stay in China Snow Town

At the time of my writing, there are some hotels in the town like Days Hotel & Suites Xuexiang and Xueyunge Hotel. The hotels in the town are far from meeting the increasing demand of tourists coming to the town at peak season.

So please book your hotel well in advance during the peak season.

Most of the workers at the forest farm have turned their courtyard homes into family inns which are mainly composed of several 4-person stone-bed room ( kang ) with shared or private bathrooms. Beside accommodation, they also offer food service, or three meals a day if you prefer. They even go out of their way to help you assisting in planning your local travel arrangement.

Top things to do in China Snow Town

Entrance Tickets for Xuexiang National Forest Park

The main entrance fee for China Snow Town （ Xuexiang National Forest Park ）: RMB 75 ( valid for two days ).

Service Enquiry : 400-000-0453

Virtual Tour of China Snow Town

Follow us to have a brief virtual tour of Xuexiang, aka China Snow Town.

Snow covered houses

Snow covered houses

Add-on

Tip:  Hassle-free Northeast China Escorted Tours

Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for Northeast China guided tours with English-speaking tour guides:

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