(Ecns.cn)！-The diverse landscape of this vast country is extra fun during winter, as the northern part is blanketed with snow, creating a white wonderland filled with major attractions for tourists.
Here are four top snowy fairylands for a winter voyage in China.
1) Harbin, Northeast China
Without exaggeration, this is one place in China that makes you feel like you've walked into a fairytale snow world. Every year, Harbin, the capital city of frigid Heilongjiang Province, hosts the renowned International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, which attracted over 8 million tourists last year.
Massive buildings made from ice from the nearby Songhua River, ice slides, large scale snow sculptures, and festival food and drink can all be found in several parks in the city. At night, visitors who endure the bitter cold will see the lights switched on, illuminating the sculptures from inside out.
This year, the festival kicks off on January 5 with fire balloons, a cocktail party and fireworks at the opening ceremony.
2) Hulun Buir, North China
For about seven months a year, the grasslands in Inner Mongolia are blanketed with snow. The area is home to some of the top ski resorts in the country and annually hosts its own ice and snow festival. In a word, this is an ideal destination for a snow trip, to witness the breathtaking scenery of "A Thousand Miles of Ice After a Thousand Miles of Snow."
Winter is also a good time to go if you want to see temples and museums, since at this time of the year you don't have to compete with other tourists for accommodation and transport. In addition, you can enjoy a 5-star hotel for the price of 3-star hotel.
3) Mt. Taibai, Northwest China
Located in Baoji, a city of Shaanxi Province, Taibai Mountain is one of the most renowned mountains in the country for 10 scenic districts and over 180 attractions. The charm gets even more irresistible in winter, when the whole mountain is covered in rising mist after constant snowfall.
Taibai means 'too white' in Chinese, used here to describe the color of the mountain. Because of the frigid climate, thick layers of ice cover the mountain summits all year round. Endowed with prosperous forest resources, rich animal species, odd mountainous landscapes and profound historical scenes, Taibai Mountain National Forest Park has attracted countless tourists from home and abroad.
4) Shangri-La, Southwest China
Home to some of the most renowned snow mountains, including Meili, Deqing and Haba, which are tourist attractions in themselves, Shangri-La, the paradise lying on the border of Tibet and Yunnan, is known to native Chinese as "the kingdom of snow."
Many recommend Meili Snow Mountain, also known as Price Snow Mountain, as a stop on your winter trip in Shangri-La. Located 10 kilometers northeast of Deqing County of Yunnan Province, Meili Snow Mountain boasts numerous snow-clad ridges and peaks, 13 of which exceed 6,000 meters above sea level. The most splendid view is from Kawagebo Peak, the highest in Yunnan Province, which rises about 6,740 meters and is still a "virgin peak," having never been successfully climbed. Meili Snow Mountain is a challenge for all mountain explorers.
