Wusong Island (Rime Island)
雾凇岛
A river island and riverside villages on the Songhua, where thick rime ice, smoke from village chimneys and frost-covered trees make it China's most famous rime ice photography spot.
Rime Island lies in Wulajie Manchu Town, Longtan District, Jilin City, about 40 kilometers from the city center. It is an island region in the Songhua River made up of villages including Zengtuntun and Hantun. Because the land is low-lying and the river surface produces plenty of vapor, the rime here is thicker and lasts longer than in the city. Old willows along the bank, farmhouse courtyards and misty river views create classic scenes. The best viewing time is from before sunrise until about 10 a.m., when the rime gradually falls away in the sunlight. Most visitors arrive the afternoon before and stay in farmhouse inns on the island, enjoying Northeastern heated kang beds and iron pot stew. In the evening they watch the river mist, and early the next morning they photograph the 'tree frost'. Horse-drawn sleds and snow tubing are also available. Entry tickets cost tens of yuan (confirm current prices, as they vary by season). Whether the rime appears depends on the weather, so check forecasts closely. In winter, temperatures before dawn often drop below -25°C, so wear a warm down jacket and snow boots and bring spare batteries for your camera and phone. Charter cars or tourist shuttle routes are the main ways to get there.
Opening hours
All day (winter tourist season tickets on sale; check the site's notices)
Nearby sights
- Wulajie Manchu Town
- Beishan Park
- Songhua River Rime Promenade
- Jilin Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Jilin Confucian Temple
- Longtan Mountain Park
- Jiangnan Park
- Jilin City Museum (Meteorite Museum) & Century Square