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Located just about 1.5 hours by train from Harbin, this small town transports visitors to a place that is both pristine and cinematic. A trip to Hengdaohezi is not just about seeing the snow, but also an opportunity to experience the peaceful rhythm of life in northeastern China, where nature and people blend together in a unique world amidst endless white.
The distinctive yellow rooftops, covered in white snow, create a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
Pham Minh Thuy, an IT professional with an endless passion for travel and photography, visited Hengdaohezi by chance. She shared: "This year I took a trip to Inner Mongolia, flying back from Harbin and having two free days. Since I had already visited the famous spots last year, I wanted to find something new. I happened to see reviews from Chinese people about Hengdaohezi – a small village with stunning scenery – and decided to go."
The snow village has a Japanese feel.
From Harbin, Hengdaohezi is only a 1.5-hour train ride away, much more convenient than the 5-hour journey to the famous Snow Village. One might expect a well-known destination to be crowded with tourists, but Hengdaohezi is completely different from the bustling Harbin. The first impression upon arriving is one of rare tranquility. There's no noise, no hustle and bustle; the small town seems to be in a long winter slumber. The snow-covered streets and the quiet yellow houses evoke the image of some remote Japanese village.
Unlike the crowded Harbin, this village offers a peaceful and unspoiled atmosphere.
"The village was quite deserted, and I was a little disappointed at first because many shops were closed and the atmosphere was somewhat desolate. But on the bright side, the village's architecture was beautiful. The warm yellow houses stood out against the pristine white snow, and the roads covered in ice and snow made the scenery more magical than ever," Thuy recounted.
Her first stop was the old Hengdaohezi train station, an icon of the town. The snow-covered, yellowish-brown walls and the small platform created a nostalgic scene straight out of an old film. But what impressed her most was the trail above the village – from where she could take in the entire picturesque beauty of Hengdaohezi.
"This view from above is what made me decide to visit Hengdaohezi. Although the path up is quite slippery and costs about 30 yuan, the feeling of standing high up, gazing down at the snow-covered rooftops, and breathing in the crisp, cold air is truly worth it," said the female tourist.
Panoramic views from the elevated trail.
Meet the "lords of the Taiga forest"
A trip to Hengdaohezi wouldn't be complete without visiting the Siberian Tiger Park – one of the world's largest tiger reserves. Initially, Thuy didn't have high expectations, but the moment she came face-to-face with the giant Siberian tigers left her in awe: "At first, I just intended to go out of curiosity, because I read reviews that everyone recommended visiting. But when I got there, it was like 'oh wow' – because the Siberian tigers are really huge. This is one of the largest tiger species in the world, and seeing them in person was truly an impressive experience."
The Siberian tiger is also known as the "King of the Taiga Forest." Besides its common name, it is also known as the Amur tiger, Ussuri tiger, or Manchurian tiger, and is mainly distributed in the far east of Russia, throughout the Korean Peninsula, Mongolia, and northeastern China.
One interesting experience was feeding the tigers. For 10 yuan, visitors received a small bucket of meat and a long spear to personally throw food to the "kings of the Taiga forest." However, due to the cold winter, the tigers were somewhat lazy, lying around enjoying the pale winter sunlight. She also noted that wildlife parks like this not only offer a unique travel experience but also help raise awareness about wildlife conservation among visitors.
Besides observing the majestic tigers, visitors also have the opportunity to participate in feeding them.
For 10 yuan, visitors receive a small bucket of meat and a long skewer to personally throw food to the "lords of the Taiga forest."
Fireworks by the river – the perfect ending to the day.
Sunset in Hengdaohezi arrives earlier, around 4 PM, when the sky begins to take on an orange-red hue. This is also the best time to set off fireworks – a popular cultural tradition among people in Northeast China.
Thuy went to Golden Triangle Farm, a riverside area where people often gather to set off firecrackers. The journey there was full of surprises as all the firecracker shops in the village were closed, but luckily, a bubble tea shop owner helped her call a taxi and directed her to buy firecrackers along the way.
"This area is several kilometers from the village; it cost us 25 yuan by taxi to get there. Along the way, the driver would stop so people could buy firecrackers. The prices here were very reasonable, and there were many interesting designs. Since we didn't know how to set them off once we got there, we only bought a few, so we felt a little regretful," Thuy recounted.
A spectacular moment at Golden Triangle Farm as fireworks illuminate the white snow.
One lesson learned is that you need to save the driver's number before going to this area, because after the fireworks, there is almost no public transport around. Luckily, she had connected with a driver beforehand, so she had no trouble returning to the train station to go back to Harbin.
The lasting impressions
People in Northeast China are known for their tall stature and loud voices, but to Thuy, they gave off a warm and enthusiastic feeling. Although the language barrier was a bit challenging, their sincerity made the trip even more memorable.
In terms of food, she particularly loves the sweet and sour pork dish characteristic of the Northeast region and Dayao sparkling water – a simple drink but with a unique flavor of this land.
Although not as cold as Inner Mongolia or Harbin, Hengdaohezi still retains the characteristics of a northern winter with temperatures ranging from 0 to -10 degrees Celsius.
Although not as cold as Inner Mongolia or Harbin, Hengdaohezi still retains the characteristics of a northern winter with temperatures ranging from 0 to -10 degrees Celsius. "I find this temperature quite pleasant, but the ice and snow make it quite slippery to move around. Everyone should prepare shoes with spikes or walk very carefully to avoid falling," Thuy suggested.
Hengdaohezi may not be bustling or offer a wide range of entertainment, but it is precisely this tranquility that makes it an ideal destination for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle. A full day spent exploring the village, visiting the tiger park, watching the sunset from a hilltop, and setting off fireworks by the riverbank offers a unique and memorable experience.
Hengdaohezi may not be a prominent destination on the tourist map, but it possesses unique beauty that can only be fully appreciated by visiting in person.
