Stepping into knee-deep snow, walking into an unknown forest sea｜Fangzheng Twin Mountains

Heilongjiang’s wildest primitive forest snow trek, zero commercialization, no signal, guided only by footprints

Have you ever tried walking in a primitive forest sea with no Wi-Fi, no boardwalk, and not even a name?

Half a meter of fresh snow beneath your feet,
Each step “crunching”,
Like breaking the bones of winter.

Surrounded by towering red pines, firs, and oaks,
Branches heavy with snow clumps,
When the wind blows, they fall softly,
Landing on your shoulders, chillingly refreshing.

Looking up, the sky is fragmented by the canopy,
Sunlight slants down like divine rays.

This is not a tourist spot,
It is truly—
The wilderness.

This is located 150 kilometers east of Harbin, in Fangzheng County,
A little-known secret mountain range—
Twin Mountains (locally called the “Dongliangzhu Daling” branch).

Two main peaks stand side by side, both under 1,000 meters in elevation,
Yet they hide one of the rare undeveloped primitive secondary forests in Northeast China,
Closed off in winter, rarely visited,
Only hunters, forest rangers, and a few veteran hikers dare to tread here.

This is a snow trek for the brave:
No cable cars, no gondolas,
Only a pair of hiking boots, a trekking pole,
And a heart wanting to escape the city.

“Fangzheng Twin Mountains · Primitive Forest Snow Trek Plan”
📍 Depart from Harbin → 2.5-hour self-drive to Fangzheng County → Transfer to rural roads to Twin Mountains Village (final stop) → Switch to snow guide for hiking into the mountains → Camp/return
📅 Best period: January to mid-February｜Stable snow cover｜Temperature -20℃ to -30℃｜⏰ Recommended stay: 2 days 1 night｜💰 Free｜Professional-level outdoor challenge, requires team + guide
🎯 Theme: Be a “modern Robinson Crusoe,” rediscovering humanity’s most primal walking instinct deep in the snowy forest

Why is it called “Heilongjiang’s last wild snow secret”?

Because the “primitive” here
Is not an adjective,
But truly—
No management, no development, even maps mark it vaguely.

🌲 Pure ecology｜Centuries-old original forest, wild animals roam freely
Forest coverage over 95%, mostly mixed forests of red pine, spruce, white birch, and Mongolian oak
In winter, you can see footprints of wild boars, roe deer, sable, and occasionally black bear activity (rare but present)
Air negative oxygen ions off the charts, breathing feels like lung cleansing

👣 Wild route｜No signs, no supplies, rely entirely on experience
Main traverse line about 8-12 km (adjusted by weather), one way takes 5-7 hours
Must cross two ridges, traverse an ice river valley bottom
Many steep slopes are icy, crampons required

A veteran guide said:
“I’ve walked Green Abyss Pond in Changbai Mountain, photographed rime in Arxan,
But on the third hour in Twin Mountains,
When my phone completely lost signal,
I suddenly understood what it means to ‘return yourself to nature.’”

This is not just hiking,
It’s an experiment in shedding dependence on modern civilization.

The “Five Great Snow Forest Moments” you must experience:

🥾 1. Depart from Twin Mountains Village, step onto the first footprint
The village has only a dozen households, smoke curls from chimneys, dogs bark breaking the silence
The guide checks equipment, distributes satellite phones as backup
The first step into the forest edge snowfield, the world instantly quiets

🌲 2. Pass through the “Red Pine Giant Wood Array”｜Look up to see the sky, look down to see only snow
Trees mostly over 80 years old, some over a century
Branches thick as dragon bones, snow clumps hanging like crystal chandeliers
Slow your pace, afraid to disturb the sleeping forest spirits

🌊 3. Cross the frozen Liangzhu River｜Riverbed like glass paved with silver
River water comes from mountain melt, completely frozen in winter, ice over 1 meter thick
Walking on it, deep echoes come from beneath your feet
Beware of air holes (thin ice danger)

⛺ 4. Camp in the forest, cook a pot of hot soup noodles (for overnight stays)
Use windproof tents + high R-value sleeping pads (inflatable recommended)
Fuel stove cooks instant noodles, stews canned food, steam rises like a fairyland
At night, all is silent, you can hear snowflakes falling

🌌 5. Midnight gaze at the Milky Way｜Starry sky unseen in the city flows here
Light pollution is minimal, on clear winter nights the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye
Occasionally a shooting star streaks by, no need to speak wishes, your heart is full

Hidden experiences｜The ultimate adventure only veteran hikers understand

🔥 Learn forest ranger fire-making skills
Under a wind-sheltered rock, use dry moss + twigs + pine torches to light a campfire
No live trees harmed, only deadwood collected, practicing LNT principles (Leave No Trace)

📸 Shoot “Snow Forest Lone Shadow” masterpieces
Composition tips:
✔️ Person’s back walking on forest path, full depth perspective
✔️ Low angle shot of footprints extending, symbolizing journey start
✔️ Use morning fog to create a hazy atmosphere, highlighting lonely beauty

🎧 Record a “forest white noise” clip
Capture wind blowing pine needles, snow falling on dry branches, distant bird calls
Use as meditation background sound after returning to the city, healing anxiety

🧭 Find the “Old Hunter’s Tree Marks”
Some ancient trees bear carved marks, path symbols left by early hunters
Finding one is lucky, meaning you’re on the right “wild trail”

Why should modern people visit a place of “complete disconnection”?

Because in Twin Mountains,
You will relearn—

✅ To sense direction with your body: without GPS, wind direction, tree shadows, and slopes become your compass
✅ To respect nature’s power: a sudden blizzard can change your plans
✅ To enjoy true solitude: when the whole world can’t find you, you can hear yourself

A psychotherapist who participated wrote:
“I’ve led many healing journeys with clients,
But only here,
Someone suddenly stopped walking and cried:
‘I realized I don’t need to be found all the time to live.’”

This is not just travel,
It’s a soul reboot.

Practical tips (safety first!)
⚠️ This is not ordinary hiking! Must follow these iron rules:

🧣 Gear checklist (all essential):
Cold protection: down jacket + fleece + quick-dry base layer three-piece set
Waterproof: GORE-TEX pants + high-top waterproof hiking boots
Anti-slip: crampons or snow spikes
Life-saving: headlamp + spare batteries, thermos, first aid kit, whistle
Communication: satellite phone or Beidou terminal (regular phones have no signal)
Sleep (overnight): -20℃ down sleeping bag + aluminum emergency blanket

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Team requirements:
At least 4 people, no solo hiking
Must hire a local guide (recommended: retired Fangzheng Forestry Bureau ranger Lao Li, phone available on inquiry)
Sign a waiver before departure

🚗 Transportation tips:
Drive to “Fangzheng County Twin Mountains Village” end parking lot
Last 10 km is unpaved road, SUV 4WD recommended
Some luggage storage available in village, travel light into the mountains

📆 Weather alerts:
Monitor Heilongjiang Meteorological Bureau’s cold wave and blizzard warnings in advance
Cancel trip immediately if strong snowstorm (wind force ≥ level 6) occurs

🚫 Absolutely prohibited:
Open fires and camping (high fire risk)
Hunting, picking, or taking any natural items
Leaving trash, even a spit must be packed out

A final golden phrase for those about to enter the snowy forest:

“The world is busy connecting to 5G,
Here, everything is cut off;
Deep in Fangzheng Twin Mountains,
When your footprints become the only marks on the snow,
You will understand—
The highest freedom
Is not going wherever you want,
But that when you disappear,
The earth still remembers you were here.”