The Greater Khingan Range stretches across the northernmost part of Heilongjiang Province. As a renowned mountain range in northeastern China and the country’s highest-latitude region, it is hailed as “the last pure land” and widely known as a “green treasure trove”. In spring, azaleas blanket the mountains in crimson; in summer, wandering through the woodlands fills the air with forest fragrance; in autumn, forests blaze with layered hues alongside bumper harvests; in winter, everything is draped in silvery snow, with graceful Korean pine trees glistening crystal white. The towering Greater Khingan Range holds vast emerald forests in its embrace.

Centered on Jiagedaqi, dubbed the “Forest Capital of the North”, local tourist attractions radiate westward and northward. Heading west from the Greater Khingan Range, visitors can reach Gaxian Cave to experience the folk customs of the Oroqen ethnic group. Travelling north leads to Arctic Village in Mohe, as well as the Huma border area for Sino-Russian frontier sightseeing. Besides these sites, there are numerous scenic spots including the Huzhong National Nature Reserve for boreal temperate forests, the Nanweng River Wetland National Nature Reserve, and the Dobukur River Rafting Area, forming an abundant array of tourism resources.

Mohe County sits at the northern foot of the Greater Khingan Range, on the southern bank of the upper Heilongjiang River. It marks the northernmost tip of China’s territory and is the country’s county with the highest latitude.

It borders Tahe County to the east, Ergun Right Banner of Inner Mongolia to the west, Ergun Left Banner of Inner Mongolia to the south, and faces Russia across the Heilongjiang River to the north. Eleven ethnic groups reside within its territory, including the Han, Mongolian, Hui, Manchu, Korean, Ewenki, Oroqen, Xibe and Tujia peoples.

Mohe boasts abundant natural resources, with a gold-mining history spanning over a century. The area was once named “Rouge Ditch” by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Arctic Village under Mohe’s jurisdiction is China’s northernmost village, and the only place nationwide where visitors can witness the aurora borealis and midnight sun.

The Heilongjiang River, the Sino-Russian boundary river, originates in Mohe. Its crystal-clear waters wind downstream, flanked by stunning, picturesque landscapes on both banks. Lush primeval forests spread across the county, ideal for jungle exploration, hunting and bonfire camping. A great number of historical relics from the Ming, Qing and Republic of China eras dot the land, such as the ancient Yaksa Battlefield. In recent years, cross-border tours to Russia have been launched, adding extra charm to local travel experiences.

Mohe’s Arctic Village is the northernmost riverside town on China’s mainland. Nestled at the foot of Qixing Mountain on the northern slope of the Greater Khingan Range, it lies at a latitude of 53°33′30″, facing Ignashino Village of Russia’s Amur Oblast across the river. It is commonly known as “Arctic Village” and the “City of Endless Daylight”.

This is the best spot in China to admire the aurora borealis and the spectacular midnight sun. Landmarks here include the Northern Border Sentry Post, Divine Arctic Square, an ancient well, ruins of a Japanese puppet power plant, and the Northernmost Household. Every year during the Summer Solstice, bonfire galas are held along the river with singing, dancing and all-night celebrations.

Around the Summer Solstice, the sun remains visible for nearly 20 hours each day, a natural phenomenon known as the midnight sun. With luck, visitors may catch sight of gorgeous, colorful auroras. Daylight lasts almost 24 hours; at midnight, the northern sky glows pale white, resembling both dusk and dawn. Tourists can play chess or ball games outdoors at midnight.

Admission Ticket: 60 RMB

Jiagedaqi, an Oroqen word meaning “land of Korean pine”, is located in the northwest of Heilongjiang Province on the southeastern slope of the Greater Khingan Range. It adjoins Oroqen Autonomous Banner to the south and west, and borders Songling District to the east and north. The Gan River, a major tributary of the Nenjiang River system, flows 55 kilometres west to east through the district. Jiagedaqi bears the reputations of “Pearl of the Forests”, “Emerging Forest City” and “First City of the Ten-Thousand-Li Khingan Range”. As the seat of the Greater Khingan Prefectural Administrative Office, it serves as the region’s political, economic and cultural hub.

Lying on the foothills of the Greater Khingan Range, Jiagedaqi features gentle rolling low hills. The terrain slopes higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast; low hills surround the urban area, with flat plains stretching along both north and south banks of the Gan River. The average altitude stands at 472 metres. It has an average annual temperature of -1.2°C and a frost-free period ranging from 85 to 130 days, with average annual precipitation of 494.8 millimetres. Classified as a cold temperate continental monsoon climate, it features distinct spring and autumn seasons, long cold winters and short mild summers, earning it the title of a “severe cold restricted zone”.

Azalea Ski Resort is situated 9 kilometres south of Jiagedaqi, the capital of the Greater Khingan Range. Covering a land area of 160,000 hectares, it is China’s northernmost ski resort built to top national standards, as well as the largest and best-equipped ski resort in western Heilongjiang Province. Sitting at an altitude of 581 metres with a vertical drop of over 200 metres, it boasts beginner, intermediate and advanced ski runs with a total length exceeding 3,000 metres, catering to skiers of all skill levels.

The resort houses a comprehensive service centre integrating accommodation, dining and leisure facilities, alongside overhead cable cars and surface ski lifts. The second floor of the service centre features ski gear rental, a shopping mall, a VIP lounge and a tourist rest area. The third floor hosts a restaurant serving delicious Chinese and Western cuisine, while mid-to-high-end guest rooms occupy the third and fourth floors, offering a perfect resting retreat.

Current winter activities include a snowboard park, alpine skiing (accessible via cable car), snowmobiles, snow tubes, sleds and horse-drawn sleighs. Upon completion of the second-phase construction, the total length of ski runs will reach 10,000 metres (including a 5,000-metre cross-country trail), with new attractions such as a snowboard half-pipe and ski jumping set to open to visitors.

Christmas Village perfectly integrates China’s polar natural scenery with Western Christmas culture, echoing the world-famous Christmas Village in Rovaniemi, Finland within the Arctic Circle. Key attractions include Santa’s House, Christmas Post Office, Santa Square, Children’s Fairy Tale World, Snow White Garden, the Seven Dwarfs’ Treasure Cabin and a reindeer park. It features Asia’s exclusive Christmas-themed complex, authentic Santa Claus from Rovaniemi Finland, giant snow sculptures of Christmas stockings, oversized ice spinning tops, and China’s one-of-a-kind Christmas Post Office. Visitors can listen to Christmas carols, step into a fairy-tale ice and snow world with Santa, experience genuine Christmas traditions, and enjoy a romantic festive atmosphere without travelling abroad, savouring a unique cultural feast infused with icy polar charm.

Adjacent to China’s Arctic Christmas Village in Mohe’s Arctic Village, the Christmas Ski Resort unites polar scenery, aurora viewing and Christmas culture. Its ski season runs from mid-October to mid-April of the following year, making it China’s northernmost ski resort with the longest operating period. The first phase includes a 470-metre beginner ski run and a 150-metre snow tube lane, equipped with ski lifts and magic carpets. Supporting recreational facilities include snowmobiles, snow tubes, steering sleds, ski boats and ski boards.

Rouge Ditch, also known as Old Ditch or Old Gold Ditch, is located within Jingou Forest Farm in Mohe County. It has been a renowned gold-mining site since the late Qing Dynasty. Stretching 14 kilometres, it is a tributary of the Emur River, famous for its abundant gold deposits.

Over a century has passed since gold was first discovered here. The sand and soil have been sifted dozens of times, yet gold can still be panned today, a testament to its massive gold reserves.

The site also contains the ruins of Li Jinyong Memorial Hall, a cemetery holding over 500 prostitutes from five countries, a gold-mining culture exhibition hall and Rouge Pavilion