What China Snow Town is

China Snow Town (中国雪乡, Zhōngguó Xuěxiāng) is a small forest settlement in the mountains of southeastern Heilongjiang that becomes a winter fairy tale every year. Deep snow piles up on the roofs of low wooden houses in soft, rounded shapes that locals call “snow mushrooms” and “snow cakes”. At night, red lanterns light up the white lanes. It is one of the most photographed winter scenes in China, and a popular add-on to a trip to Harbin.

According to Xinhua, the scenic area lies in Mudanjiang City, where the Zhangguangcai and Laoye ranges of the Changbai Mountains meet, within the forestry area of the Longjiang Forest Industry Group’s Dahailin forestry company. The site is widely known by the name of the old forest farm, Shuangfeng (双峰林场). Its microclimate is summed up in a local saying: “in summer, never three sunny days in a row; in winter, snow throughout the forest”.

When to visit: the 2026–27 season

Snow comes early here. Xinhua reported that snowfall usually begins in October, that the snowy period lasts up to seven months, and that the snow can reach two metres deep at its deepest. In 2025 the first snow fell on 17 October.

Official records from last season:

• Opening: the scenic area opened at 00:00 on 17 November 2025 (Harbin TV / HRB; Shenghuo Bao).
• Closing: it closed at 00:00 on 4 March 2026 after 107 days, having received about 1.526 million visitors (HRB).

As of 8 October 2026, the 2026–27 opening date has not been announced. Based on last year, a mid-to-late November opening is plausible, but wait for the official notice. The snow scenery usually gets more dramatic as winter deepens. December to February gives the deepest snow, while the period around Chinese New Year is the busiest.

Tickets: what last season’s rules looked like

The scenic area sells tickets online, and last season’s rules give a good guide:

• Where to buy: through the official Snow Town WeChat account or the “雪乡景区服务” (Snow Town scenic area service) WeChat mini program, according to the opening notice. Visitors had to bring ID to enter.
• Price: a price notice republished by Harbin Bendibao in November 2025, citing Mudanjiang price bureau documents, set the peak-season ticket (1 November to 30 April) at 140 yuan per person and the off-season ticket at 70 yuan. The sightseeing shuttle inside the area cost 15 yuan return and was optional.
• Validity: the same notice said tickets were valid for 48 hours from purchase, with re-entry allowed during that time. That suits an overnight stay.
• Concessions were offered to groups such as children, students and older people under national and local rules.

Prices for 2026–27 have not been published, so treat these numbers as a guide.

For foreign visitors: at the end of last season, Harbin TV reported that the scenic area had upgraded multilingual services and installed passport readers at all ticket windows to speed up entry for overseas visitors (HRB). Carry your original passport. If the online booking does not accept your passport, buy at the window. The service hotline listed in the opening notice was 400-000-0453.

What to do in Snow Town

The main street and its snow-heavy houses are the core attraction. Walk it at different times of day: soft blue light in the early morning, and red lanterns after dark. Last season’s programme, as reported by HRB, included:

• Daily northeastern yangge dancing, drum performances and street music
• A 16-metre giant snowman and a “snowman street”
• A New Year goods market with northeastern food and crafts
• A fairy-tale forest area on Bangchui Mountain
• Penguin parades with six newly arrived gentoo penguins
• Snow sculpture and photography competitions

Each season’s events change, so check what is on in 2026–27. Even without events, the snow scenery is the reason to come.

Getting there from Harbin

Snow Town is a long way from Harbin, so plan for at least one night.

Direct coach from Harbin. In the 2024–25 season, the provincial transport group’s Longyun coaches ran direct “snow town” services, according to a Harbin Daily report on HRB. The first daily bus left Central Street at 6:30, stopped at Yabuli West high-speed station around 9:10 and reached Snow Town at about 12:30. A second bus left at 8:30, and return buses started at 9:00. Published fares were 120 yuan from Harbin and 85 yuan from Yabuli West station. Tickets and timetables were available in the “龙悦出行” (Longyue Travel) WeChat mini program. Check the 2026–27 schedule there before you travel.

High-speed train plus coach. Take a high-speed train from Harbin towards Mudanjiang and get off at Yabuli West (亚布力西). Connecting coaches run from the station to Snow Town in season. Book trains on 12306 (see our 12306 booking guide).

Tours and private drivers. Many visitors join a one- or two-night tour from Harbin, often combined with Yabuli ski resort. A private driver gives you flexibility but costs more.

Winter roads are affected by snow, and the official advice is to check the day’s bus schedule before travelling. Leave a buffer day before any international flight.

Where to stay

Most accommodation in Snow Town is in family-run guesthouses, many with traditional heated brick beds (kang), plus some hotels. Rooms are limited and the place is busy in peak weeks, so:

• Book early, especially for weekends, New Year and Chinese New Year.
• Confirm the price and what is included in writing in the booking app.
• Check the heating and bathroom arrangements. Some rooms are basic.
• Stay one night at least. Day trips miss the lantern-lit evening and the quiet early morning, which are the best times for photos.

Cold-weather survival tips

This is deep-forest winter in China’s far northeast. Prepare properly:

• Layers: thermal base layers, a fleece and a long down coat with a hood.
• Extremities: a hat that covers your ears, a face mask or neck gaiter, two layers of gloves, and insulated, waterproof boots with good grip.
• Heat packs: stick-on warmers from convenience stores help a lot in boots and pockets.
• Batteries: keep your phone and camera batteries warm in an inside pocket and carry a power bank.
• Snow safety: walk carefully on packed snow and ice, and do not climb on roofs or snow piles for photos.

Our Harbin Ice and Snow World guide has a fuller winter packing list, and our Heilongjiang winter itinerary shows how Snow Town fits into a longer trip.

A sample winter route

1. Day 1: Harbin. Walk Central Street and visit Harbin Ice and Snow World in the evening.

2. Day 2: Coach or train-plus-coach to Snow Town. Evening lantern walk.

3. Day 3: Early morning photos, then on to Yabuli or Mudanjiang, or back to Harbin.

FAQ

When does China Snow Town open for winter 2026–27?

No date had been announced as of 8 October 2026. Last season it opened at midnight on 17 November 2025 and closed on 4 March 2026.

How much is the Snow Town ticket?

Last season’s peak-season ticket was 140 yuan, valid for 48 hours with re-entry, plus an optional 15-yuan return shuttle. Check for 2026–27 prices before you go.

Can foreigners visit China Snow Town?

Yes. Bring your passport. Ticket windows were fitted with passport readers last season, and online tickets were sold through the official WeChat account and mini program.

How do I get to Snow Town from Harbin?

Take a direct seasonal coach from Harbin (about six hours on last season’s timetable), or a high-speed train to Yabuli West and a connecting coach.

Is one night in Snow Town enough?

For most visitors, yes. One night lets you see the lanterns after dark and the quiet snow in the early morning.

Lovely China was founded in 2025 to help English-speaking travellers and expats plan calmer, better-informed trips in China. Spotted an outdated detail? Email [email protected].

Cover photo: Chen Wu / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). Morning in China Snow Town, Heilongjiang.