Arctic Village Tourist Scenic Area is located in Mohe City, Daxing'anling Prefecture, Heilongjiang Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and the northernmost village and town in China, known as the "Crown of the Golden Rooster" and "China's Arctic." The scenic area features polar day and polar night, the northern lights, ice and snow landscapes, and northernmost culture as its core characteristics. It covers a total area of 16 square kilometers, of which the planned sightseeing area is about 3.6 square kilometers. The village retains simple log-cabin architecture, which complements modern tourism facilities. It currently has about 240 households and a permanent population of about 600 people. The average annual temperature here is -5.5°C, and the winter minimum temperature can reach -52.3°C. The number of snow-covered days reaches 210 per year, making it a landmark destination for experiencing extreme cold climate and ice and snow fun. At the same time, because it is located near latitude 53°33′30″N, it is the only place in China where the northern lights and polar day phenomena can be observed.
History and Culture
The history of Arctic Village can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty, when it was a post station. Because it was located on the Sino-Russian border and along an important route for gold mining in Mohe, a village gradually formed. It was originally named "Mohe Village" and was later renamed "Arctic Village" because it is located at the northernmost end of China. In the 1980s, with the development of tourism, the village gradually transformed into a tourist attraction and was rated a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2015.
Mohe City, where the scenic area is located, is a traditional settlement area of ethnic minorities such as the Oroqen and Ewenki, and it preserves a rich fishing and hunting culture and ice and snow folk customs. For example, the Oroqen "Bonfire Festival" and "Birch Bark Boat Making Technique," and the Ewenki "Reindeer Culture," all have exhibition areas in the scenic area. In addition, modern festival activities such as the "Winter Solstice Culture Festival" and "Aurora Festival" in Arctic Village combine the traditions of northern ethnic minorities with modern tourism elements. They attract a large number of tourists every year and have become an important carrier for showcasing China's northernmost regional culture.
Main Attractions
Shenzhou Arctic Square
Shenzhou Arctic Square is the landmark landscape of Arctic Village. It is located on the bank of the Heilongjiang River. In the center of the square stands a "Shenzhou Arctic" stone monument that is 4.8 meters high and weighs 10 tons. The front of the monument is inscribed with the four large characters "Shenzhou Arctic." It echoes the "Tianya Haijiao" in Sanya, Hainan, and is a must-visit place for tourists to take photos. On the river-facing side of the square, there is an observation deck where visitors can look out at the village scenery of Amur Oblast, Russia. In summer, boats can be taken on the river; in winter, it becomes a natural ice rink frozen over, with a total area of about 2,000 square meters. It is one of the areas with the largest flow of people in the scenic area.
Arctic Sandbar
Arctic Sandbar is a sandbar island on the Chinese side of the main channel of the Heilongjiang River, about 1 kilometer from the main scenic area. It must be entered through a suspension bridge and covers a total area of about 0.18 square kilometers. The sandbar features landscapes such as the "China's Northernmost Point" marker tower (latitude 53°33′43″N) and "Beiwang Yakou." The ground is paved with cobblestones in the pattern of the character "北" (north), surrounded by primitive Scots pine forests. This is one of the best places to observe polar day and the northern lights. In summer (mid-to-late June), visitors can experience the 24-hour daylight phenomenon. In winter, it is covered in ice and snow, forming a unique "white sandbar" landscape. The full tour takes about 1.5 hours.
Arctic Outpost
The Arctic Outpost is China's northernmost border defense outpost. It is located in the northeastern part of Arctic Village, about 2 kilometers from the village. It was first built in 1969. The existing watchtower is 17 meters high and is a reinforced concrete structure. There is an observation deck outside the outpost where tourists can view the overall appearance of the outpost and the surrounding border scenery from a distance (the interior is not open to the public). Next to the outpost stands a stone monument reading "China's Northernmost Outpost." It is an important window for showcasing China's border defense culture and is also one of the patriotism education bases. The visit takes about 30 minutes.
Christmas Village
Christmas Village is located in the southeastern part of Arctic Village, about 3 kilometers from the main scenic area. It is a themed park integrating Finnish Christmas culture and Chinese ice and snow characteristics, covering an area of about 100,000 square meters. The village features a 17-meter-high giant Santa Claus statue, a Christmas post office, snow sculpture groups, and a reindeer park. At the Christmas post office, letters can be mailed with a "Arctic Christmas" postmark. The reindeer park keeps more than 20 Finnish reindeer, and visitors can pay to experience feeding and taking photos (50 yuan per person). In winter (December to February of the following year), the "Christmas Ice and Snow Carnival" is held. It is a popular attraction for family trips, and the tour takes about 2 hours.
Suggested Itinerary：
Recommended two-day itinerary: Arrive at the scenic area in the morning on the first day and first visit Shenzhou Arctic Square (1 hour), check in at the "Shenzhou Arctic" stone monument, and look out at Russian scenery from a distance. Then go to Arctic Sandbar (1.5 hours) and visit the China's Northernmost Point marker tower. At noon, taste iron-pot stewed cold-water fish at a restaurant in the village. In the afternoon, visit the Arctic Outpost (30 minutes) to learn about border defense history. In the evening, go to Arctic Village Old Street to experience the night view of log-cabin architecture and stay in a guesthouse in the village. On the second morning, go to Christmas Village (2 hours) to take photos with Santa Claus and experience reindeer interaction. Return to the village for lunch at noon. In the afternoon, choose activities according to the season: in summer, take a boat tour on the Heilongjiang River (1 hour, ticket 50 yuan per person); in winter, participate in activities such as ice skiing rings and snowmobiles (per capita consumption about 100 yuan). End the itinerary in the evening.
Travel Tips：
Best season to visit: Summer (June-August), with temperatures around 15-25°C, is suitable for escaping the heat and observing polar day. Winter (December-February) allows visitors to experience ice and snow activities and severe cold climate, and it is a high-incidence period for seeing the northern lights, but attention must be paid to keeping warm (temperatures are often below -30°C). Spring and autumn (April-May, September-October) have lower temperatures and fewer tourists, making them suitable for travelers who prefer peace and quiet.
Cold-weather gear: In winter, wear professional cold-proof clothing (down filling of more than 80%), snow boots (with ice grips on the soles), scarves, and gloves (it is recommended to wear two layers: a thin touch-screen inner layer and a thick waterproof outer layer). Cold-proof clothing can be rented in the scenic area (50 yuan per day). In summer, bring mosquito repellent and a light jacket (the temperature difference between morning and evening is about 10°C).
Accommodation suggestions: The village has a variety of options ranging from guesthouses to star-rated hotels. Prices are higher in peak seasons (June-August, December-February). The average price of guesthouses is about 400-800 yuan per night, and hotels are about 600-1,500 yuan per night. It is recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance. Some guesthouses offer a "Northeast heated kang" experience, suitable for groups of 3-4 people.
Dining suggestions: It is recommended to eat at restaurants on the main street in the village, where prices are transparent, such as "Northernmost Family" and "Arctic Family." Half portions can be ordered (Northeast dishes are large in portion). Cold-water fish is relatively expensive (Taimen is about 150 yuan per jin), so several people can share and order together to avoid waste.
Aurora observation: The best time is on clear nights in winter (December-February). Stay away from village lights. It is recommended to go to Arctic Sandbar or the bank of the Heilongjiang River. You can follow the "Mohe Aurora Forecast" WeChat official account in advance; the forecast accuracy is about 70%.
Notes：
Do not spend too long outdoors in winter. Enter indoor areas every 30 minutes to warm up to prevent frostbite. Electronic devices such as mobile phones and cameras may automatically shut down below -25°C. It is recommended to keep them in an inner pocket for warmth or use a thermal case (available in scenic area shops, 20 yuan each).
The Heilongjiang River is a Sino-Russian border river. When visiting, comply with border management regulations. Do not cross the centerline of the main channel (boundary markers are set on the river surface). Do not throw objects toward the opposite bank or shout. When taking photos, avoid photographing sensitive facilities such as Russian outposts.
In summer, Arctic Sandbar is a riverbank wetland, and some areas are muddy, so wear slip-resistant shoes. In winter, the suspension bridge may freeze, so hold the railings firmly when walking and avoid running.
Respect local ethnic minority customs. For example, when entering the reindeer park, follow the instructions of staff. Do not casually touch the heads of reindeer or snatch their food to avoid being bitten.
Mobile phone signal is weak in some sections of the scenic area (especially Arctic Sandbar). It is recommended to agree with companions on meeting times and places to avoid getting separated. You can get a paper map at the visitor center and mark important attraction locations.
Transportation：
By plane: You can take a flight to Mohe Gulian Airport (about 80 kilometers from Arctic Village). The airport has daily flights to and from Harbin and Jiagedaqi District in Daxing'anling Prefecture. After landing, you can take an airport shuttle bus (30 yuan per person) or taxi (about 150 yuan) to Arctic Village. The drive takes 1.5 hours.
By train: Mohe Station is the nearest railway station to Arctic Village (about 77 kilometers from the scenic area). There are trains to and from Harbin, Shenyang, Jiagedaqi, and other places. From Mohe Station, take a tourist special-line bus (25 yuan per person) or taxi (about 120 yuan) to Arctic Village. The drive takes 1.2 hours. The special-line bus runs every hour from 6:00 to 18:00.
By car: From Mohe City, drive north along the Jiamo Highway (S207), about 77 kilometers in total, with a drive time of 1.2 hours. There are "Arctic Village" signs along the way. In winter, snow tires need to be replaced. Some sections may be covered with snow and ice. It is recommended to depart after 10 a.m. to avoid serious icy roads in the early morning. Parking in the scenic area is free and can accommodate small cars and tour buses.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. In peak season (May 1-October 31), opening hours are 8:00-18:00. In off-season (November 1-April 30 of the following year), opening hours are 8:30-17:00. In winter (December to February of the following year), Arctic Sandbar must be reached by a special ice transport vehicle in the scenic area (round trip 20 yuan per person). The best time to observe the northern lights is on clear nights from September to April of the following year. The polar day phenomenon is concentrated from June 15 to July 15. Visitors are advised to check weather forecasts and astronomical data in advance.
Tickets：
Ticket: 68 yuan per person.