Explore ice-covered streets, snowy sledge rides, and the chance to witness the northern lights in this Arctic-edge destination.
Mohe, China’s northernmost city, recorded its coldest day of 2026 on February 5th, with temperatures dropping to −44°C.
By 9 a.m., the sun had risen over Amuer in Mohe, but the cold remained extreme. Water froze instantly in the open air. After just ten minutes outside, the wind pierced through thick winter clothing like needles. Mountains and rivers in the distance were covered in layers of ice crystals. The scene looked like a frozen wonderland.
Sanitation workers continued their duties on the streets, wearing several layers of padded clothing. Frost covered their eyelashes and face masks within minutes.
According to the local observatory, the temperature fell to −44°C at 7 a.m. local time.
Frozen Adventures and Winter Wonders
About 100 kilometres away, in North Pole Village, tourists gathered despite the freezing conditions. Wang Xiran, a visitor from central China’s Hunan Province, took photos at Qixing Square after riding a traditional horse-drawn sledge.
“I came here to experience the cold,” Wang said. “I’ll try the ‘Throwing Boiling Water into Freezing Air’ next. Seeing the northern lights would make the trip perfect.”
Mohe sits at the northern edge of China. The city has an average annual temperature of around −3.5°C and has recorded an extreme low of −53°C in the past. Its high latitude places it close to the Arctic Circle, making winter aurora sightings possible under the right conditions.
The long and severe winter has also shaped local tourism. Attractions such as the Arctic Ski Resort benefit from an unusually long snow season and have drawn growing attention from both domestic and international visitors.
Driven by interest in aurora viewing and “journeys to the north,” tourism in Mohe has expanded rapidly. The Arctic Village area now hosts more than 300 hotels and guesthouses. In 2025 alone, the city received over 2.7 million visitors.
Written by Ronnie Yu.
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