Visit Wusong Island to see the jade trees and white flowers. Recommended places in China for viewing rime flowers.
Preface
The Origin of Jade Tree and White Flower
In early 1991, Jiang Zemin braved the bitter cold and trekked through the icy snow to conduct an in-depth inspection tour of Yanbian, Jilin, Tonghua, and Changchun in Jilin Province. En route, while flying from Yanji to Jilin City, he witnessed the spectacular spectacle of rime on the banks of the Songhua River. Admiring it intently, Jiang Zemin improvised a seven-character quatrain: "The cold river, snowy willows, fresh from the clear day; jade trees and white flowers fill the air with spring. All the splendors of nature have brought this scene to fruition; all things in this world are born of hardship."
Causes of rime
Rime, commonly known as tree hangings, is neither ice nor snow. It forms in the harsh winter climate when countless sub-zero-degree water vapor in the fog, carried by the wind, accumulates and freezes on tree branches and other objects, resulting in white, opaque, granular deposits. Chemically, this is a phenomenon called sublimation. Many people confuse rime with cedar. While cedar is simply snow on tree branches, a common phenomenon, rime is a rare natural wonder.
Jilin's rime flowers are considered one of China's four natural wonders, along with the Guilin landscape, Yunnan's Stone Forest, and the Three Gorges. However, rime flowers are the most unique of these four. Simply put, rime flowers require very low temperatures and abundant moisture. The simultaneous presence of these two crucial yet conflicting natural conditions is exceptionally rare.
The formation of rime, a weather phenomenon, is a complex atmospheric process involving multiple factors. Temperature and humidity are only the basic conditions for rime formation. However, the factors contributing to rime formation are multifaceted, a complex and coordinated process of atmospheric physical changes. In many places, rime formation only meets the basic conditions, but is not comprehensive and fully favorable, resulting in suboptimal rime. However, the formation of rime in Jilin Province is due to unique and exceptional conditions that organically transcend conventional physical mechanisms.
Conditions for the formation of rime in Jilin
Long, cold winters
The first element for rime formation is sufficient cold. Jilin's winter lasts from November to February, a long cold spell. The temperature drops below -20°C for 60-70 days, allowing for rime to form. The temperature drops below -30°C for 10-15 days per winter. Rime is more likely to appear in Jilin when the temperature is below -20°C, and it is most likely to form when the temperature is below -26°C.
High water vapor in low altitude
An unfrozen river (or river), heavy fog and snow, high air humidity, sufficient water vapor, and easy saturation are sufficient conditions for the formation of rime. The rime in Jilin benefits from the large amount of heat generated by the Fengman Hydropower Station on the Songhua River, while the rime in Arxan benefits from the unfrozen river - the Halaha River.
Large temperature difference between day and night
The large temperature difference between day and night, coupled with clear sky, few clouds, calm wind or light breeze, makes the atmospheric structure stable, which is a favorable condition for the formation of Jilin rime.
Favorable unique climate
A favorable macroclimate and unique microclimate are key factors in the formation of Jilin's rime. Jilin City enjoys a cold temperate continental climate. In winter, a northwesterly atmospheric circulation prevails in the local upper atmosphere. Furthermore, the distinct monsoonal characteristics increase the frequency of northerly winds.
What weather is most likely to see rime?
Generally speaking, December to February is the best time to see rime, with January being the peak season. The best time to see rime is generally between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM (this is theoretically the best time for rime formation, but it depends on the specific circumstances and cannot be generalized). Honestly
, even if you visit Wusong Island, you won't necessarily see rime every day, just like you won't necessarily be lucky enough to see Changbai Mountain's Tianchi Lake. Many people return empty-handed, so seeing rime is really just a matter of luck. Of course, we can predict based on weather conditions. Locals who live here year-round can predict the presence of rime based on the day's weather, and it's generally pretty accurate.
However, since we already know the two conditions for rime formation and have daily weather forecasts, can't we make some guesses based on the weather?
First, if the temperature is almost above freezing the night before and the morning of the day, rime will most likely not condense, so try to avoid such hot days. If the temperature the night before is around 10 or 20 degrees below zero, it means the cold weather conditions are still acceptable, so you can wait and see.
Regarding water vapor, it's really hard to predict, after all, the daily weather forecast doesn't include things like water vapor values. But think about the conditions for water vapor formation: water absorbs heat to become water vapor—translated into weather conditions, doesn't that mean rising temperatures? To put it more bluntly, aside from the fact that the Jilin section of the Songhua River is not frozen, which is the condition for water vapor formation, the greater the temperature difference between the night before and the day after, the greater the temperature rise, the more water vapor should be, and the greater the probability of rime forming. As long as the temperature rise is not too drastic...
How many of the most beautiful rime production areas in China do you know?
When it comes to rime flowers, many people immediately think of Jilin's Wusong Island. Indeed, whether you've been there or not, the island, named after its rime flowers, has become legendary. I remember my first trip to Wusong Island in the winter of 2012. I woke up early with my best friend to see the rime flowers. The innkeeper told me that rime flowers weren't guaranteed to appear, as many people have visited many times without seeing them. Seeing the wonder of rime flowers is a matter of chance. I set off with great anticipation, and the sight of the lush trees and white flowers truly astounded me. It was like a fairytale world. It was my first time witnessing a blanket of snow, and I can't quite put into words the feeling. Regardless, I highly recommend everyone to see the wonder of rime flowers for themselves.
It is said that there are many types of rime, and "Jilin rime" is the type of rime with the largest thickness, smallest density and loosest structure - hairy crystalline rime, which looks particularly crystal clear, so Jilin rime can be called the best of the best rime.
Rime Island
Wusong Island is a small island on the Songhua River. Surrounding the island are villages like Hantun and Zengtongtun in Wulajie Town. This area is relatively densely populated with rime flowers and is the best place to view and photograph them. There's a local saying, "To see rime flowers, go to Zengtong." Every winter, rising mist from the river blankets the island. In the cold, it condenses into frost, which hangs on the trees around the island, creating a dazzling display of pristine white icicles. However, this doesn't guarantee you'll see rime flowers; it depends on the weather—in other words, your luck.
Visitors to Wusong Island typically stay in Jilin City, Zengtong (south of Wusong Island), or Hantun (north of Wusong Island), arriving early the next morning. To reach Wusong Island, you'll need to take a ferry from either Zengtong or Hantun Ferry Terminals (round-trip ferry tickets are included in your ticket). Of course, staying in Hantun or Zengtong is best, as you don't have to wake up as early in the morning. However, the number of guesthouses and guesthouses in these two villages is limited, and their capacity is limited. Therefore, many choose to stay in Jilin. Arriving on Wusong Island early in the morning before sunrise and the temperature rises allows you to generally see the rime.
In Jilin, there's a saying about viewing rime in three stages: evening mist over the river, morning dappled trees on both sides, and afternoon blossoms blanketing the ground. There's also a folk saying: "Nine out of ten fogs are rime" and "Nine out of ten rime days are foggy." This means that every winter, on the evening before rime appears, thick fog and a warm current billow across the surface of the Songhua River, a river that never freezes year-round. From a distance, it resembles a waterfall at Tianchi Lake, spewing mist and clouds.
How to get to Wusong Island
▶Jilin City→Frost Island
Since Wusong Island is so famous, there are many ways to get there from Jilin City. You can take a bus or charter a car. The only thing is there is no train. So you can choose according to your own situation. Chartering a car is undoubtedly the most convenient and fastest way. Bus + taxi is relatively cost-effective (suitable for friends with less or no luggage).
Take a bus north from Jilin City Bus Station (Chalu Township Station) to Wula Street. The journey is approximately 35 km and costs 11-14 yuan (see the map below for bus schedule). The ride takes about one hour. From Wula Street, take a local three-wheeled motorbike to Hantun or Zengtong. If you're staying in Hantun or Zengtong, you can ask your innkeeper to arrange a car to pick you up. A taxi directly from Jilin City to Wusong Island costs approximately 150-180 yuan per taxi.
▶Hantun, Zengtong → Wusong Island
From Hantun or Zengtong, you can walk to the ferry terminal on Wusong Island, or take a local taxi. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk to the ferry terminal, or about 8-10 minutes by car. If it's cold in the morning, you can take a taxi. If you're staying here, ask the inn owner to contact you. The cost is about 20 yuan per person.
PS: If you're short on time, you can also see rime in Jilin City. There's a place called Fengman Dam, where you can also see rime. At the entrance of Fengman Canyon, which houses the Fengman Hydropower Station dam, the chances of seeing rime are higher. Or, around 7 a.m., take a walk along the Songhua River—you might find a surprise.
Tips: Wusong Island Ticket Information
Ticket price: 60 yuan/person; children under 1.2 meters are free of charge; Ferry fee: Whether you go to the island from Zengtong Village Ferry or Hantun, the ferry fee is 30 yuan. No additional fee is required when leaving the island whether you leave from Zengtong Ferry or Hantun.
In addition to the Frost Island, there are many other places where you can see the wonders of frost, but it is indeed a rare opportunity. Here I recommend three places where the probability of viewing frost is higher. I hope you can witness this beautiful scenery with me.
Kulbin
"Morning mist hangs over the cold river, the sky is icy, and rime flowers cover the trees in clouds. Last night, thousands of strands of flying jade flew by, but who cut them into strips of clear snow? The ice feathers are glittering, the colorful clothes are graceful, and they want to dance on the high and cold palace. The misty waves reflect my shadow, and I am thinking of someone to meet with." The Kulbin rime flowers in the Kulbin River Basin in Yichun, Heilongjiang Province, are arguably the new best place for rime photography. Why do I say that? Is it more beautiful than the rime flowers on Rime Island?
The reason is simple. The rime season in Kulbin lasts for up to four months, with the rime remaining for up to 10 hours daily. This means the chances of seeing rime here are greater than on Rime Island. This is also thanks to the Kulbin Reservoir, formed primarily by the confluence of the Kulbin, Kelin, Huoji, Longwan, Urum, and Dulu rivers, with a storage capacity of 390 million cubic meters and an area of 44 square kilometers. The Kulbin Reservoir's hydropower station releases water above freezing daily to generate electricity. Thanks to this power station, the river water remains frozen year-round, creating thick fog. This, combined with the cold air, creates a 15-kilometer-long rime forest downstream of the hydropower station, covering an area of 300 square kilometers. This spectacular, fairytale-like rime spectacle is a major draw for photographers, as the photo opportunities are high. Furthermore, compared to the fame of Rime Island, this is a lesser-known destination for viewing rime, making it highly recommended.
How to get to Kulbin
Perhaps this is your first time hearing the name Kulbin. Indeed, this place is still a niche destination. The Kulbin Grand Platform Rime Flowers are located in Hongxing District, Yichun City. You can choose to travel directly from Harbin to Hongxing, leaving in the evening and arriving the next morning, spending the night on the train. Of course, you can also choose to go from Harbin to Yichun and then take a bus to Hongxing. After all, Yichun has many other attractions worth visiting.
▶Harbin→Red Star
▶Harbin→Yichun
▶Yichun→Hongxing
Bashang Grassland
Many people have heard of the Bashang Grassland, seen the paradise of fun with blooming flowers in summer, and the colorful palette kingdom in autumn, but how many people know that the winter in the Bashang Grassland is like a girl kept in a secluded boudoir, with beautiful scenery and few people. Not only can you have fun, but you can also see many natural wonders, such as: halo, rime; you can also record a video of splashing water to turn into ice. Everyone can be a vlog king.
For a detailed introduction to Bashang Grassland, please refer to the guide: 2018 Wulanbutong Grassland Isn't Beautiful Enough? You Don't Know How to Have Fun! (Exclusive Guide to Wulanbutong)
Arxan
Inner Mongolia's winters are extremely long, with the area covered in ice and snow for nearly seven months each year. The Halaha River, the border between China and Mongolia, is also a perennially frozen river. In the valleys surrounding the Halaha River, clear skies and gentle breezes create the two most essential conditions for rime formation. The rime in Arxan and the rime on Rime Island offer distinct landscapes. Due to the forest park's diverse tree species, towering conifers and cypresses predominate, adding a touch of color to the rime.
For a detailed introduction to Arxan, please refer to: 2018 Arxan Tourism Guide, In-depth Unveiling of Arxan, the Filming Location of "Dear Inn"
Conclusion
This winter, you might as well try your luck in Northeast China. Whether it is Wusong Island, Kulbin, Bashang Grassland, or Arshan, there is always a place that can bring you visual enjoyment.
