Budong River (Unfrozen River)
不冻河
A stretch of the Halha River that stays unfrozen even when temperatures drop to minus 30 to 40 degrees Celsius; its rime ice is the signature winter sight.
Budong River (Unfrozen River) is the section of the Halha River within the forest park. Fed by hot springs and groundwater upstream, this stretch of roughly 30 km stays open even when winter temperatures fall to minus 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. Vapour rises from the water and freezes into thick rime ice on the branches along the banks. The combination of open water, white snow and a red sun makes it the most iconic winter scene in Arxan. The best time to photograph is around sunrise: the colder it is, the more pronounced the vapour and rime ice become. In summer and autumn it is just an ordinary river with little to see. In winter the access roads are icy, so join a tour or hire a car, and dress warmly. Cameras and phones drain batteries quickly in the cold, so carry a spare power bank close to your body.
Opening hours
Follows forest park hours (usually open in winter)
Nearby sights
- Santan Gorge
- Arxan Tianchi (Heaven Lake)
- Arxan Dichi
- Wusulangzi Lake
- Shitanglin Lava Field
- Arxan National Forest Park
- Luming Lake
- Guibei Rock