At the northern edge of the Chinese mainland, the Greater Hinggan Mountains carve out a frozen kingdom where temperatures hover around freezing and snow blankets the land for nearly half the year. This remote mosaic of forests, wetlands and rivers feels worlds away from bustling city life.
On rare, crystal-clear nights, the skies here come alive with shimmering curtains of green and purple – a fleeting display of the northern lights that adds magic to the region’s pristine silence.
But these winter landscapes aren’t just for show. They’re home to a hardy bunch of forest nomads: reindeer. Far from fairy-tale creatures, these circumpolar animals are perfectly built for the cold, boasting thick coats and wide hooves that make them masters of snow and ice.
By day, the reindeer graze on moss, mushrooms and wild ganoderma, their diet woven into the forest floor. When thirst calls, they pause by mountain springs that trickle beneath the frozen ground.
For travelers and digital nomads, glimpsing these gentle wanderers against a backdrop of frosted trees and dancing lights is a reminder of our planet’s hidden wonders.
Reference(s):
Meet the reindeer: Spirits in the frozen forest of China's north
cgtn.com
