Lengji Village in Genhe, Inner Mongolia! China's coldest village, the colder the better!

Preface

This winter, Harbin has become popular all over the Internet, and Mohe has also successfully become popular. However, the coldest place in China is neither Harbin nor Mohe, but Genhe City, located at the junction of Hulunbuir City in the northeast of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Heilongjiang Province.

Located approximately 55 kilometers north of Genhe City, China's Coldest Village is the closest village to the coldest point. Every winter, the village and surrounding area are blanketed in ice and snow, creating a scene reminiscent of an ink painting or a fairytale world. Its scenery and fun-filled atmosphere rival those of Harbin and Mohe.

For southerners, the cold and snow of the north are a very attractive travel experience. Because of its extreme cold, China's Coldest Village has always been a place I've always wanted to check in. So, I finally packed my bags and set off!

China's Coldest Village: The colder the better

Lengji Village is undoubtedly Genhe City's most popular winter destination. Nestled on flat terrain and surrounded by forests, this village, far from the hustle and bustle of any city, is a true northern secret.

Entering Lengji Village, my friends were all excited. The cabins, the snow, the snowmen, the ice and snow park, the nearby railway tracks, the distant forest, the smoke from cooking, the blue sky, and the white clouds formed a beautiful and dreamy scene.

Forestry culture can be seen everywhere in Lengji Village. Even the four themed homestays for spring, summer, autumn and winter are built with wood to create a forest atmosphere.

Most of the buildings here are the hotel's guest room area, with long corridors connecting different rooms. Although it is icy and snowy outside and the temperature often exceeds minus 20 degrees Celsius to minus 40 or 50 degrees Celsius, it is as warm as spring indoors, which is much more comfortable than most cities in the south.

"Sleeping by the snow and accompanying the moon, it's like a dream between heaven and earth" - this is the freehand experience that Lengji Village brings us.

Lengji Village offers 21 hotel rooms, 55 guesthouses, a multi-purpose hall, and a restaurant. I particularly like the interior decor: pristine, simple, and elegant, it emphasizes the beauty of lines while incorporating numerous forest elements. I love the use of natural wood as the primary color scheme, with the perfect use of tree trunks and stumps, creating a sense of integration with the forest.

In the early morning, Xiao Jin was woken up by voice, and the lights and curtains were turned on intelligently. Outside the window, light snow was falling, fluttering and scattering, like a dream.

I put on my down jacket, hat and gloves, and then went outside, only to see snow on the ground and on the roof.

The two buckets of water placed outside the night before had frozen, and the handmade candied haws had also become very hard in the ice and snow.

Genhe is a relatively less densely populated city in Hulunbuir, and the area surrounding Lengji Village is even more sparsely populated, a scene reminiscent of Northern Europe. Walking through the snow felt like a foot massage, the creaking sound of shoes scraping against the snow a bit like the prelude to a symphony. For tourists like us, any spot here could be a perfect place to spend half a day photographing. We wandered the accommodation area, jumping, running, playing in the snow, and having fun in the open spaces, unleashing our winter passions, laughter filling the air.

The train passes Lengji Village

There is a railway track next to Lengji Village. At around 10 o'clock every day, a train roars in from a distance and appears in the same frame with Lengji Village for a very short time, making the "fairy tale world" more vivid.

To enjoy this dynamic scene, you should wait indoors around 9:45 a.m. Due to road conditions, weather, and other factors, the time the train passes through Lengji Village varies slightly from day to day.

We had a great time playing in the snow

Life in Lengji Village is incredibly fulfilling. Here, you can enjoy activities you can't find elsewhere, such as splashing water into ice, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and snowmobiling. You can also build snowmen, have snowball fights, admire ice and snow sculptures, and ride snow karting and bumper cars on ice.

Ding, ding, ding! Of course, when you're in this freezing cold place, you have to experience the water-to-ice trick! First, boil several pots of water. Then, cast them into the air in an arc across the open snowy landscape. The water instantly transforms into snow powder upon contact with the frigid air. The shapes of the snowflakes vary slightly depending on the speed, rhythm, and gestures, but the experience is thrilling regardless. We tried again and again, throwing several pots of water.

At Lengji, dog sledding is a must. These "snow elves" are professionally trained, with excellent sense of direction and endurance. Besides the three "athletes" sprinting hard, there are dogs leading the way. Go! Go! Go! Speed up! Forward, turn! Forward again, turn! Forward! Snowflakes fly everywhere, and the excitement is endless! Riding on a sled, following the dogs through the ice and snow park and around Lengji Village is truly exhilarating.

After the exercise, we took photos with the "elves". Sometimes they cooperated, sometimes they were absent; sometimes they were aloof, sometimes they were cute, which made us laugh.

As night falls, I hop on an off-road vehicle and race through the snow. The scenery keeps changing, and the snowflakes kicked up by the wheels create another kind of cool feeling. These experiences are just the tip of the iceberg of the many experiences in Lengji Village. If you want to experience them all immersively, you should stay a few days.

Wonderful ice and snow park

Harbin Ice and Snow World is a huge hit every year, and Lengji Village also has an ice and snow park just a stone's throw away. It's not only a "fairy tale world" but also a fantastical "forest industry paradise."

The park is dotted with ice and snow sculptures, but the most impressive are the Cold Pole ice sculptures and the China Cold Pole Village snow sculptures. Shaped like a thermometer, the Cold Pole ice sculptures are exquisitely crafted during the day and vibrantly colored at night, making them a popular online attraction within the park.

As a southerner, I quickly became captivated by the sight of ice and snow sculptures. These exquisite works of art are rare in our area, and admiring them under a blue sky and white clouds is the ultimate visual enjoyment.

Artists have devoted themselves to creating works at the Lengji Village Ice and Snow Park, each with a distinct style and clear theme. There are miniature trains, tiny mushrooms, galloping horses, flying birds, ecological barriers, lush mountains and clear waters, and guarding the northern border.

The sky began to turn blue, the cedars and igloos looked more cartoonish, and the snow and ice sculptures sparkled in the setting sun.

Walking in the "Ice and Snow Wonderland", the classic melody of "Let It Go" seems to ring in my ears, and the story of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, the reindeer and the snowman is replayed in my mind.

After nightfall, the temperature in Lengji Village gradually drops, but beneath the cold lies another scene of dreamy beauty.

From the drone's perspective, the entire Ice and Snow Park is unobstructed. Here, the ice and snow sculptures, like stars dotting the Milky Way, each display their own unique colors and charm. In their own way, they interpret the diverse charm of the Ice and Snow Park, leaving you unable to leave.

Under the cover of the night, the ski slopes emit a faint blue light, like a dreamy blue ribbon winding across the snow. This unique blue light effect makes the ski slopes appear even more mysterious and stunning in the night.

It's freezing outside, with temperatures dropping to negative zeros, but inside, it's a completely different scene. Our experience of living in Lengji Village is in full swing.

Candied haws is a very northern thing. First, string the ingredients together, then roll them quickly in the syrup, then let the rock sugar solidify, and continue to wait until it's done.

Come on, take a few photos with your spoils, your faces filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment. Besides all these experiences, Lengji Village also offers snow hot pot, bonfire parties, and more. Visiting Lengji Village in winter is truly colorful. I love it.

Lengji Village's cuisine is fusion, with each dish featuring fresh ingredients, a first-rate presentation, and a truly memorable experience. I particularly enjoyed the sweet and sour pork, stewed goose, birch sap, blueberry juice, and various delicacies from the Greater Khingan Range.

Deer in the Deep Forest

After breakfast, we departed Lengji Village and embarked on a fascinating journey through the primeval forest with fellow Ewenki people in search of reindeer. As China's last remaining hunting tribe, the Ewenki live in harmony with nature, their lifestyle and wisdom revealing a unique worldview. In this mysterious primeval forest, we searched for reindeer and experienced the wonder and beauty of nature. It was an unforgettable journey, filled with novelty and profound emotions.

The beauty and mystery of the snowy forests and plains intertwined, and our deer-hunting journey was filled with endless uncertainties. Where exactly were the deer hiding in this vast expanse of snow? How many were there? How long would it take to find them all? Everything remained uncertain. However, our experienced Evenki compatriots, with their calm, attentive, and composed qualities, led us efficiently in our search for the deer across this enchanting snowy plain. Their wisdom and experience undoubtedly saved us precious time on our deer-hunting journey.

Fortunately, our luck was quite good. As soon as we entered the dense forest, the deer quietly appeared in our sight. At that moment, we felt as if we were one with this mysterious nature, feeling the deer's lively presence and appreciating the grandeur and beauty of the snowy forest. Everyone was thrilled, but we dared not make any loud noises or movements, fearing to disturb the deer's peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

The immersive interaction with the reindeer and the experience of the original folk customs of the Ewenki people in the sound of their calls made the trip worthwhile.

How to get there

You can fly to Hailar Airport, then take a bus from Hailar to Genhe Bus Station at the Hailar Highway Passenger Transport Terminal. Buses run multiple times daily and take approximately 3.5 hours. Tickets are available on major online travel agencies. Alternatively, take the train from Hailar Station to Genhe Station. There are two daily departures at 8:17 and 12:38, but the journey is longer, so taking a bus is recommended. The drive from Genhe to Lengji Village takes just over an hour.

Dress code

Knee-length down jackets suitable for snowy conditions, snow boots, a snow hat, gloves, fleece-lined pants, and thermal underwear are essential. When outdoors, avoid exposing your hands, head, and face to the cold wind for extended periods. Also pack a set of spring and autumn clothes, as the temperature indoors can vary significantly from outdoor temperatures.

Accommodation

The forest cabins at Lengji Village Hotel are very unique and are recommended for staying there. For details, please refer to the previous experience.