Places to See Snow Scenery in Hunan

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Snow scenery in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. (Photo/Deng Daoli)

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park announced its ticket prices for the winter season from December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024. The full ticket is priced at 144 yuan/person (excluding premiums) and the concessionary ticket is priced at 72 yuan/person (excluding premiums). The ticket is valid in four consecutive days. 

Best time for viewing: from late December to late February (subject to the weather forecasts at the scenic spots)

Suggested viewing spots: Tianzi Mountain and Huangshizhai

Hengyang Mountain Scenic Area

Snow scenery at Zhurong Peak. (Photo/Chen Shuanglan)

Located in Nanyue District, Hengshan Mountain is one of China's five sacred mountains. It is acknowledged as a religious holy place and is known for the longevity as an important cultural site. Hengshan Mountain is regarded as "the best place to enjoy snow in south China".

Best time for viewing: from late December to late February (subject to the weather forecasts at the scenic spots)

Suggested viewing spots: Zhurong Peak, Buddhist Scripture Hall, Southern Gate of Heaven, and Tianzhu Peak

Langshan Mountain

Frosty scenery at Bajiaozhai Village in Langshan Mountain Scenic Area. (Photo/Yan Keming) 

Langshan Mountain is located in Xinning County, Shaoyang, Hunan Province, with a total area of 128 square kilometers. There are six scenic spots including Tianyi Lane, Chili Peak, Bajiaozhai Village, Fuyi River, Zixia Cave, and Tiansheng Bridge. Langshan Mountain is a world natural heritage site, a national geological park, and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It was hailed as "the model of harmony between humans and nature" by the IUCN experts, and it enjoys a reputation as "the soul of Danxia".

The most spectacular frost and snow scenery of Langshan Mountain can be seen at the Bajiaozhai Village Scenic Spot. In winter, beautiful frost appears near Yuntai Temple on the top of the mountain.

Best time for viewing: from late December to late February (subject to the weather forecasts at the scenic spots)

Suggested viewing spots: Yuntai Temple in Bajiaozhai Village, Tianyi Lane, and Camel Peak

Dawei Mountain National Forest Park

A sunrise view at Qixing Ridge on Dawei Mountain. (Photo/Chen Shuanglan)

Dawei Mountain National Forest Park is located in Liuyang City. When the temperature is relatively low in winter, frost-covered trees and snow-covered mountains turn the park into a frozen wonderland.

Best time for viewing: from December to February

Suggested viewing spot: Qixing Ridge Scenic Area

Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park 

Snow scenery on the top of Daxiong Mountain. (Photo/Chen Shuanglan)

Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park is located in the north of Xinhua County, Loudi City, Hunan Province. It boasts a wide variety of species and is known as a gene bank of various species in central Hunan. Every year around the end of November, trees in the mountains here are covered with frost, and the ravines and peaks are blanketed with snow.

Best time for viewing: from November to March

Suggested viewing spots: Xiongshan Ancient Temple, Daxiong Peak

Dongkou Yuexi Provincial Forest Park

Frost-covered metasequoia forest in Longping Mountain, Yuexi Town. (Photo/Chen Shuanglan)

Located in Dongkou County, Shaoyang City, Dongkou Yuexi Provincial Forest Park is at the junction of Hunan and Guizhou provinces and the southern end of the "Greater Xiangxi Tourism Circle". The park is rich in forest vegetation resources, and has the largest  metasequoia forest in Hunan Province. After a heavy snowfall in winter, Longping Mountain is covered with snow, from alpine meadows and forest waterfalls to strange peaks and stones.

Best time for viewing: from late December to late February (subject to the weather forecasts at the scenic spots)

Suggested viewing spots: Subao Peak, Observation Deck, and Jiangyankou Canyon

Xuefeng Mountain National Forest Park

Snow scenery on Xuefeng Mountain. (Photo/Xia Weiping)

Xuefeng Mountain National Forest Park is located in Hongjiang City, Huaihua. It has won the title of "Top Ten Winter Tourism Destinations" in Hunan Province. In late autumn and early winter, the park is covered with snow, resembling a large bonsai under the sky. Don't miss the stunning frosty scenery in the park,

Best time for viewing: from the end of December to the end of February

Suggested viewing spot: on the top of Xuefeng Mountain

Wanfo Mountain Dong Village Scenic Area 

Snow scenery of Huangde Dong Culture Village. (Photo/Chen Shuanglan)

The Wanfo Mountain Dong Village Scenic Area is located in Tongdao County, Huaihua City. The scenic area boasts picturesque natural scenery and rustic folk customs. Dong villages of the Baili Dong Cultural Corridor in the snow look like a Chinese ink painting, with drum towers, wind and rain bridges, and stilted buildings.

Best time for viewing: from late December to late February (subject to the weather forecasts at the scenic spots)

Suggested viewing spots: Wanfo Mountain, Duyan Peak, and Puxiu Bridge

Badagong Mountain National Nature Reserve 

Frosty scenery at the Badagong Mountain National Nature Reserve. (Photo/Chen Shuanglan) 

The Badagong Mountain National Nature Reserve is located near the northern border of Sangzhi County, Zhangjiajie City. It has been praised at home and abroad as a "green treasure house", a "natural museum", a "gene bank of rare species in the world" and a "natural Chinese medicine bank". In winter, the Tianping Mountain Forest Area turns into a wonderland covered with snow. Visitors can make snowmen, have snowball fights, run through the snow, look for footprints left by wild animals during foraging, and experience a unique snowy scene in southern China.

Best time for viewing: from late December to late February (subject to the weather forecasts at the scenic spots)

Suggested viewing spots: Tianping Mountain and Doupeng Mountain

Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area 

Snow scenery at Aiwan Pavilion (Photo/Xiao Ke)

The Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area is located on the west bank of the Xiang River in Yuelu District, Changsha. It includes eight scenic spots such as the Lushan, Tianma Mountain, and Orange Isle scenic areas.

Best time for viewing: from late December to late February (subject to the weather forecasts at the scenic spots)

Suggested viewing spots: Aiwan Pavilion, the Statue of Young Mao Zedong, Lushan Temple, and Yunlu Palace

Chinese source: China National Radio