China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm
Perhaps this is the pure and beautiful world you have long been searching for. It is also known by an even more alluring name, Snow Town (Xuexiang), famous for its fairy-tale snowscapes.…
China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm, Mudanjiang · Chen Wu · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥120; combined tickets ¥320–¥480 per person per day (including skiing, sightseeing, accommodation and meals). Season runs from late November to early December until April of the following year.
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
- Getting there
- Direct shuttle to the Snow Town scenic area from Harbin Nangang Highway Bus Station (哈尔滨南岗公路客运站). Snow Town dedicated bus departs daily at 14:00 from Mudanjiang Bus Station. Alternatively, take a train from Mudanjiang Station to Hailin Station (海林站), then transfer to a long-distance bus to Changting (长汀), and continue to Snow Town by shared minibus.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 2185. Open in Google Maps
About China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm
Perhaps this is the pure and beautiful world you have long been searching for. It is also known by an even more alluring name, Snow Town (Xuexiang), famous for its fairy-tale snowscapes. Snow begins to fall here in October and lasts until April of the following year. Beneath the low log cabins, every household hangs bright red lanterns, and the roofs are crowned with “snow mushrooms” more than a metre tall. Horse-drawn sleighs across the snow add to the storybook charm. Don't miss the night views: against the white snow, the red lanterns glow brilliantly, warming the chill of the place with a sense of home. This is a paradise for photographers, with wooden houses, lanterns, fences and perfect snow making it impossible not to take a good picture.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Accommodation: Temporary guesthouses are available. Most local households also run homestays; staying with a local family is recommended. Sleep in a log house on a heated kang bed and eat northeastern cuisine for a wonderfully cosy experience.
- 2. Connectivity: Mobile signal in Snow Town is poor, but almost every homestay now offers Wi-Fi, so you can stay in touch with the outside world online.
- 3. Safety: Avoid forests and river valleys far from the road. Snow-covered ice holes, cut by locals for fishing, may be hidden there and pose a danger.
- 4. Best time: From the 2nd to the 10th day of the Lunar New Year, the place is packed with visitors. March has the thickest and best snow.
- 5. Bring spare batteries: Snow Town is an excellent place for photography. Most cameras can withstand the cold, but batteries drain very quickly, so bring plenty of spares.
- 6. Ski slopes: The ski field used by the August 1st Ski Team for training, about 2 km from Snow Town, is generally not open to tourists. There is a small privately operated ski slope inside Snow Town. Safety and medical care at private slopes are hard to guarantee, so those tempted to ski there should think carefully before going.
Frequently asked questions
How much does China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm cost?
Admission to China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm is ¥120; combined tickets ¥320–¥480 per person per day (including skiing, sightseeing, accommodation and meals). Season runs from late November to early December until April of the following year., as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm?
Direct shuttle to the Snow Town scenic area from Harbin Nangang Highway Bus Station (哈尔滨南岗公路客运站). Snow Town dedicated bus departs daily at 14:00 from Mudanjiang Bus Station. Alternatively, take a train from Mudanjiang Station to Hailin Station (海林站), then transfer to a long-distance bus to Changting (长汀), and continue to Snow Town by shared minibus.
How long should I spend at China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm?
Plan on 2–3 days for China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm.
Where is China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm?
China Snow Town · Shuangfeng Forest Farm is in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, in the Northeast of China.
More places in Mudanjiang
Diaoshuilou Waterfall
The point where Jingpo Lake flows out into the Mudan River, and the largest waterfall in Heilongjiang Province. The enormous force of the falling water has carved a pool at its base nearly 70 metres across and over 60 metres deep. In the depths of winter, the waterfall freezes into a curtain of ice hanging from the cliff, a truly spectacular sight.
Included in the Jingpo Lake ticket · 2 hours
Jingpo Lake UNESCO Global Geopark
Another wonder left behind by volcanic eruptions, Jingpo Lake is one of China's largest volcanic dammed lakes. Among its eight major scenic spots, Diaoshuilou Waterfall is the most famous; even in winter, when the water runs low, the lava landscape carved by the falls is a great wonder. Visitors who have been to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing can experience its Echo Wall again here: the Heigu Wall encircling the pool is a natural echo wall. Give a low call twice. Does it rival the Echo Wall at the Temple of Heaven?
Off-season ¥80, peak season ¥100; Wild Grand Canyon ¥60; Volcanic Crater ¥55; sightseeing cruise ¥100 · 1–2 days
Erlanghe Scenic Area
Erlanghe Scenic Area and Snow Town are two destinations that attract great attention from travellers. At Erlanghe, snow falls from mid-October to late April of the following year, a snow season of about seven months, with snow depths of up to around 2 metres. The air here is wonderfully fresh, a natural oxygen bar. The “two rivers,” “eight streams” and “sixteen springs” are crystal clear. It is an ideal destination for artists and photography enthusiasts.
3+ hours
Crater Underground Forest
A volcanic crater forest over 1,000 metres above sea level. There are ten volcanic craters of various sizes. No. 3 is the largest, 200 metres deep and 550 metres in diameter. It contains lush, green trees as well as valuable medicinal herbs and timber, making it a highly scenic attraction with abundant natural resources.
¥50 · 0.5–1 day
Datudingzi Mountain
Snow Town is one of the best places to watch the sunrise, and riding a snowmobile up the mountain is thrilling. On winter mornings before dawn, climbing on foot is a real test of stamina, but you can take a scenic-area vehicle partway up and then transfer to a snowmobile. The ride is exciting and saves both time and effort. During peak tourist season, many people come up to watch the sunrise. If you set off late, you may miss it.
¥280 · 1–8 hours
Hengdaohezi Town
The town takes its name from an early north-south road that crossed the river here (“Hengdao” meaning “crossing road”; “Hezi” meaning “river”). Founded in 1897, this ancient town has kept its strong Russian character after more than a century. The China Eastern Railway locomotive depot, the old Russian street, Oil Painting Street, the Church of Saint Mary and Weihu Mountain make it feel as though you have stepped back into the early twentieth century.
Free · 0.5–1 day