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Dear Travellers,

We’d like to have the following travel guide to be always updated for the benefit of new visitors coming to Yabuli Ski Resort and China Snow Town from Harbin. If anybody having used the piece finds necessary updates, please leave a message or feedback. Thanks!
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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

Xuexiang ( Snow Town ) Shuttle Booking Hotline: 0453 – 7410892

Changtingzhen Township – Xuexiang

Changtingzhen Bus Station to Xuexiang (daily 6:40, 13:30, 16:50 departure) or take a taxi directly to Xuexiang (about 200 yuan).

Shuttle bus from Xuexiang to Changting town (5:30, 6:30, 12:30 every day)

Mudanjiang — Xuexiang

Mudanjiang direct bus to China Snow Town (one bus every day) Departures: Mudanjiang (14:00) — Dahailin (16:50) — China Snow Town (20:00)

China Snow Town back to Mudanjiang (one bus every day) Departures: China Snow Town (5:30) — Dahailin (9:30) — Mudanjiang (11:30)

Harbin — Xuexiang (Train + Bus)

By Train: From Harbin station, take train to Mudanjiang City, and then transfer to Snow Town by shuttle bus

By Bus: Harbin West Passenger Station (哈尔滨西客运站) has a direct bus to Changtingzhen (长汀镇） every day. Departure time: 15:00, 20:00 to Changtingzhen Township, and then transfer by bus or taxi to China Snow Town.

Bus from Changtingzhen Township to Harbin leaves Changting Passenger Station at 5:00 every morning

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.

Recommended Hotel in China Snow Town
Xueyunge Hotel 雪韵阁酒店
0453 – 7410858
Add:  This hotel is located in the middle section of the one-street China snow town, close to the tourist center where you can buy the bus tickets for Harbin or Yabuli.

Top things to do in China Snow Town

1. Get up early to catch sunrise view at Yangcaoshan Mountain or Tudingshan Mountain. Book your tickets through the official agents or your host family.
2. Hike across from China Snow Valley (雪谷) to Snow Town, a challenging 15-km walking on the snow.
3. Go skiing at Snow Town Ski Resort
4. Taking photos freely on the street or around the houses in the town.
5. Taking pictures at the two paid sites on the street.
6. Just experience the coldest weather.
7. Have a bite of the local food.
8. Enjoy the local Er-Ren-Zhuan (Two-person performance).

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

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Add-on

China Snow Town ( Tips, Photos & Map)
Harbin Yabuli China Snow Town Direct Shuttle Bus
Harbin to China Snow Town Road Trip
Sunrise Glow over China Snow Village
Night View of China Snow Village
Yabuli Ski Resort

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:

Harbin Tour
Harbin 3 Day Tour Package
Changchun Tour
Shenyang Tour
Dalian Tour
Dandong Tour
North Korea Tour
Northeast China Tour

Further Readings

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Top Attractions in Northeast China
Top 10 Attractions in Harbin
Top 6 Things to Do in Heilongjiang
Top 10 Attractions in Shenyang
Top 10 Attractions in Dandong
Top 10 Attractions in Ji’an
Top 10 Attractions in Panjin
Top 10 Attractions in Dalian (Tips, Photos and Maps)

Best Time to Visit Harbin
Where to Stay in Harbin
Harbin West Railway Station
Top Things to Do in Winter in Harbin
Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley
Harbin Ice and Snow World
Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo
Harbin Winter Swimming
Madie’er Popsicles in Harbin
Harbin Jihua Ski Resort
Suan Cai Jiaozi – New Year’s Soul in Dongbei
What to see in Harbin, things to do in Harbin

Qiqihar Taxi: Qiqihar Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Mudanjiang Taxi: Mudanjiang Taxi Fares, Tips and phones
Harbin Taxi: Harbin Taxi Fares, Tips and Phone
Yanji Taxi: Yanji Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Jilin Taxi: Jilin Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Changchun Taxi: Changchun Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Dandong Taxi: Dandong Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Shenyang Taxi: Shenyang Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones

Any questions, just drop a line.