Discovered a Hidden Gem on the Outskirts of Harbin! Skiing, Deer Spotting, Hunting – Such a Delight

Harbin's winter is truly amazing! I spent a whole week exploring this ice city and summer capital in depth, and it was full of surprises.

During my trip to Harbin, I visited many must-see spots: Central Street, Gogol Street, Harbin Ice and Snow World, Harbin Polarland, and more – a fairy tale world of ice and snow.

I also spent a day with a few friends at the Yuquan International Hunting and Ski Resort, located 55 kilometers southeast of downtown Harbin.

We went skiing, fed deer, enjoyed an iron pot stew, played in the snow... It was an incredibly joyful day, and we discovered a fantastic unique guesthouse there, where you can stay and slowly soak it all in.

Yuquan International Hunting and Ski Resort is the largest enclosed hunting ground in Asia, located in Zhangguangcai Mountains, Yuquan Town, Acheng District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, about an hour's drive from downtown Harbin.

Covering 3,000 hectares, the resort is surrounded by 17 rolling peaks, with a forest coverage rate of 80%, over 60 species of trees, more than 40 kinds of birds, and thousands of red deer and sika deer.

As soon as our car parked, we saw zodiac animal snow sculptures and a snow wall over two meters high. The three of us, girls from the south, rushed over and took a hilarious group photo.

Yuquan International Hunting and Ski Resort is a comprehensive tourist destination integrating ice and snow tourism, hunting tourism, folk tourism, eco-tourism, and summer vacation getaways.

What made me happiest was that, nestled in a valley, there was no wind, and the warm winter sun felt so cozy. I didn't feel cold even without a hat or gloves – one of the warmest ski resorts I've ever seen.

Coming here in winter, as far as the eye can see, there are dense forests set against the blue sky and white snow – a snap is beautiful just as it is.

If you're lucky, you might spot traces of many small animals in the forest. We were fortunate enough to see three sika deer – these spirits on the snow were so healing!

The dense secondary forest on the mountains also harbors a dozen species of wildlife like pheasants, Mongolian gazelles, roe deer, red deer, and hares – encountering them is a pleasant surprise.

Did you know? Yuquan is the earliest hometown of skiing in China. A ski resort was built here as early as the 1930s.

Within Yuquan International Hunting and Ski Resort, there are six ski slopes: tourist slopes, competitive slopes, alpine slopes, cross-country slopes, and beginner slopes, suitable for skiers of different levels and needs, including competitions.

In the ski hall, you can rent ski suits, skis, ski boots, and other gear. If you ski occasionally like me, you don't need to own your own equipment – just rent it.

There are two types of combo tickets here. The Ski Combo Ticket is 168 RMB per person, covering five activities: skiing, Snow Dance Snake, ice bike, super ice sled, and ice top spinning.

The Fun Tour Combo Ticket is 128 RMB per person, covering four activities: Snow Dance Snake, ice bike, super ice sled, and ice top spinning.

If you just ski alone, a 2-hour session costs 120 RMB per person. I personally think the Ski Combo Ticket is a great deal – 168 RMB includes ski equipment, almost an all-in-one package.

That day wasn't a weekend, so there weren't many tourists on the slopes, and beginners didn't have to worry about bumping into others.

Interestingly, the towing device here is a cable with an iron rod that you clamp between your legs. Forgive my ignorance – it was my first time seeing such a thing.

Skiing is truly addictive. It's a sport of challenging and overcoming yourself. From the beginner slope to intermediate and then advanced – it's not just a change of slopes, but a process of personal growth.

The feeling of rushing down the mountain is just amazing! And really, it's not cold at all.

Besides deer spotting and skiing, the Snow Play Valley here has many other recreational activities, such as horse-drawn sleds and snow drifting – people from Northeast China really know how to have fun with snow.

Sliding down from the hillside on a snow tube is thrilling. For the more adventurous, there's also the Snow Flying Saucer – doesn't that name sound powerful?

Since it's called Yuquan International Hunting and Ski Resort, hunting is definitely available.

Hunting is a special folk activity, and winter is the best season for it. Holding a hunting rifle, weaving through the snow-clad woods, you feel the wildness of primitive hunting.

But for a girl like me, I'll just ski a bit more! In Harbin in winter, the days are especially short – the sun sets around 4:30 PM.

Highly recommended: at the Yuquan Hunting Ground, there is a European-style building – the Octagonal Tower – which is very distinctive. It's not just an architectural sight; you can also stay inside.

In the center of the Octagonal Tower hangs a huge chandelier from the ceiling.

The overall atmosphere is nostalgic, restrained, elegant, and textured. However, the Octagonal Tower has only about a dozen rooms, including standard rooms, queen rooms, and suites, all requiring advance booking.

Let me show you the suite in the Octagonal Tower – it's so atmospheric! This is the living room, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forest and snow.

The suite's bathroom – you can soak in the bathtub while watching the snow!

The master bedroom has a walk-in closet. The overall soft décor has great style – lying in bed, you can watch the snowflakes falling. Isn't that fantastic?

Who would have thought that such a hidden gem is tucked away on the outskirts of Harbin?

In winter, you can come here to ski, play in the snow, spot deer, hunt... When you're tired, have an iron pot stew with friends, and at night, stay in this very special Octagonal Tower.

In summer, you can come here for a summer retreat. I look forward to visiting again in a different season.