Changbai Mountain Snow·Meet at Winter Universiade
Southeast Asia Winter Resort Column (Episode 2)
For people who live beneath the year-round sunshine of the South Pacific, getting up close to snow and ice has long felt like a distant, romantic dream. Jilin Province lies in northeast China, where majestic mountains and rivers meet a rich history, deep-rooted traditions and exceptional winter tourism. With the 2026–2027 snow season just around the corner, Jilin is opening its arms to visitors from across Southeast Asia and inviting them to enjoy a spectacular winter feast.
Jilin lies between 41°and 43°north latitude, right in the world’s golden belt for snow and ice. Its Changbai Mountains stand alongside the Alps in Europe and the Rockies in North America as one of the world’s three leading destinations for powder snow and winter tourism. Powder snow, calm winds, warm sunshine and hot springs are all part of the winter experience.
Thanks to its distinctive location and the climate shaped by the Changbai Mountains, Jilin is blanketed in snow from November through April. The landscape becomes a pristine winter wonderland unlike anything found in countries south of the Tropic of Cancer. Chinese National Geography once remarked: “The most beautiful snowflakes fall in Jilin.”
Warm, moist air from the Sea of Japan, combined with ideal snow-forming temperatures of–14℃to–18℃, produces naturally formed powder snow with beautifully full, delicate flakes. Containing just 5% to 8% water, it is dry and fluffy as flour. Its low resistance makes skiing feel almost like flying just above the ground for experienced skiers, while beginners who fall land as gently as if they had dropped onto a soft blanket. Skiers from around the world make the trip—and consider it a regret if they leave without skiing in Jilin.
Jilin is one of China’s leading centres for winter sports, with excellent facilities to match. National-level ski resorts such as Beidahu, China Travel Service Songhua Lake and Wanfeng Tonghua rank among the country’s top destinations for total skiable area, trail length and number of cable lifts. Their wide range of runs caters to every level, from first-time visitors to advanced learners and competitive skiers. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned enthusiast, you can race down the slopes and enjoy all the speed and excitement winter sports have to offer.
If skiing brings the heat and energy of a Jilin winter, rime ice is its gentlest poem. Jilin’s rime is celebrated as one of China’s four great natural wonders. It appears only during certain periods of the year, when temperature, humidity and wind conditions all align. To help visitors catch it at its best, Jilin City grades the viewing conditions and sends out a daily“rime forecast”each morning. The traditional wisdom of “watching the mist at night, the frost on the trees at dawn, and the falling ice crystals toward midday” becomes a practical guide for visitors.
One of the most eye-opening experiences is bathing in an open-air hot spring—an extraordinary pleasure that many people rarely get to enjoy. Jilin is home to rare, high-quality hot springs, from intensely heated volcanic springs to mineral-rich therapeutic waters. A range of wellness retreats has taken shape, including the Changbai Mountain Volcanic Hot Spring Resort and the Xianrenqiao Forest Hot Spring Wellness Base. Imagine sinking into a natural volcanic pool at 40℃ while the air outside is–20℃: snowflakes drift overhead as steam curls around you. It is a uniquely delightful experience.
Winter in Jilin also carries on an ancient tradition of fishing and hunting. At Chagan Lake on the Songnen Plain, local Mongolian communities cut through the thick ice each year from December to February for the dramatic“fish surge from the frozen lake.”This nationally recognised intangible cultural heritage preserves traditional winter fishing techniques. The practice has twice entered the Guinness World Records, with single-net catches of 105,000 kilograms and 168,000 kilograms.
After nightfall, ice lanterns and sculptures illuminate neighbourhoods throughout the cities, transforming them into crystal-like fairytale worlds. Changchun Ice and Snow New World and the Siji Nanhe Ice and Snow Carnival feature enormous ice sculptures and dazzling lanterns, creating magical winter kingdoms. Admire the lanterns, ride a sled, glide on a snow tube, take on the thrilling “520” ice slide or try the “1314” aerial snow rafting ride. There are countless ways to let loose, embrace the excitement and enjoy a one-of-a-kind winter carnival—one that will leave a lasting impression on visitors who have travelled from afar.
Jilin CTG Songhua Lake Ski Resort
From snow and ice holidays and hot-spring wellness trips to folk-culture experiences, borderland excursions and family learning adventures, Jilin offers plenty of ways to unwind, enrich the mind and enjoy life amid a frozen landscape. Jilin is ready to welcome you to its spectacular winter feast: come play in the snow, see the ice lanterns and celebrate the Lunar New Year here! With countless scenes of snow and ice coming together, Jilin is setting the stage for a dreamlike winter celebration for the world.
（Contributed to the Hong Kong Commercial Daily）
