Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

In China, there's one sure way to guarantee it: head north. Far north!

Most of Heilongjiang Province is covered by thick snow from early November through to the following April.

China's northeastern outpost boasts stunning, untouched natural scenery including lush Siberian pine forests, exotic wild animals, unpolluted rivers and a dreamlike snowscape.

Despite the freezing temperatures, winter can be a good time to visit the province. The annual Ice Festival in Harbin has developed into an event of international standing and is the main reason for most tourists to visit.

With the Yabuli Ski Resort, Heilongjiang boasts the best skiing facility in the country.

And for the ultimate romantic - if chilly - Christmas getaway, China's northernmost village Mohe, also dubbed Arctic Village, is hard to beat. It faces Ignasino, a small town in the Russian Federation, just across the Mohe River. It attracts many tourists for its arctic lights in summer.

Any trip to Heilongjiang starts from Harbin, the provincial capital. The best season to visit Heilongjiang is winter. It may be cold, but this is when all the action takes place! The following itinerary is planned for a winter trip, lasting about 10 days.

Day 1: Arrive in Harbin, visit Stalin Park and the Flood Control Monument in the morning. After lunch, visit Sun Island Recreational Centre and spend the evening at the Ice Lantern Festival in Zhaolin Park. Stay overnight in Harbin.

Day 2: Visit Jile Temple and the Germ Warfare Memorial Hall in the morning. In the afternoon and evening take a leisurely walk around Daoli District (Little Moscow), visiting the impressive St. Sofia Orthodox Church.

Day 3: Take an early train or bus to Yuquan Hunting Ground during the day. If this is not your thing, head straight to the Yabuli Ski Resort.

Day 4: Ski in Yabuli Ski Resort for a full day, staying there overnight.

Day 5: Visit the Underground Forest and the Lava Tunnel in the morning, take a bus back to Mudanjiang and then a train back to Harbin in the afternoon.

Day 6: Take a morning train to Bei'an (7 hours), and a local tourist bus from here to Wudalianchi in the afternoon. Stay overnight in one of the tourist guesthouses in the Yaoquan Resort beside the lake.

Day 7: Visit the Five Lakes and the Old Black Hill. Take a bus back to Wudalianci and stay overnight.

Day 8: Take bus to Mohe, the Arctic Village.

Day 9: Take a bus and then train back to Harbin and then return to Beijing.

It is easy to get to Harbin from most domestic cities.

Cost: the total cost of the 10-day trip would be around 3,000 yuan (US$375) per person through a travel agency.

How to get Harbin: There is at least one flight taking off from Beijing to Harbin every hour between 7:10 am and 8:40 pm. It takes 80 minutes and costs about 1,000 yuan (US$120) one-way. It's often possible to get a 30 or even 40 percent discount on air tickets.
 
(Beijing Weekend December 12, 2003)