With the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games underway in Italy from February 6 to 22, Hemu, a village in Altay, north Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, deserves special mention. In winter, snow blankets the entire village, making it a popular tourist destination.
Rich in ice and snow resources, it has a part in popularizing winter sports in China and creating a new driver for economic growth. The Jikepulin International Ski Resort in Hemu boasts one of the largest backcountry skiing areas in Asia.
Hemu is also renowned for its pristine Tuvan settlement. The Tuvans are a nomadic people who also reside in Russia and Mongolia. In Hemu, they live in traditional log cabins. These distinctive cabins are partly buried in the earth to withstand the severe cold, and the gaps between the logs are filled with moss to keep the cabins warm during the long winter.
The snow season here lasts up to 220 days. Clusters of wooden cottages covered with snow present a dreamy, fairy tale-like image. The stunning natural landscapes have earned Hemu the moniker "God's Private Garden."
(Text and photos by Wang Yajuan)
