|  Yabuli International Ski Resort, the biggest and best ski resort in China, is
200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Harbin and 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of
Mudan River in Shangzhi City, Heilongjiang Province. During the Qsing Dynasty
(1644 - 1911), the resort was the hunting ground for feudal lords. The resort
provides great skiing with high mountains and good snow. Local skiers enjoy the
high elevation and the fact that the snow is neither too hard nor too powdery.
The lowest temperature is -47.2 F. Because of the high elevation, snow falls for
a long period of about 170 days. The period from November to late March of the
next year is the best time to ski at Yabuli Ski Resort.  The ski resort includes two distinctive areas: the competitive section and
the leisure skiing section. The alpine competitive skiing section reaches an
altitude of 1,374 meters (approx. 4,508 feet). Built according to international
standard, this section provides an excellent environment for professional
skiers. In the leisure skiing section, the highest altitude is only about 1,000
meters (approx. 3,281 feet), and the area provides a comparatively safe
environment for leisure skiing.  There is also a German built slide where tourists can enjoy sliding down from
the top of the snowy mountain. Doing skiing on the slide is easy and safe,
bringing visitors a thrilling experience. Yabuli Ski Resort is the biggest
training centre for alpine skiers and the mountain hosts of many professional
skiing competitions. In 1996 the 3rd Winter Asian Games was held here along with
numerous the National Winter Games and other national and provincial
competitions.  Besides skiing, visitors can also take advantage of the other entertainment
facilities at the resort, such as the mini golf course, tennis court, turf
courts, hot-air balloons, Para-gliders among others. The combination of
activities, the beautiful forest and comfortable facilities offer tourists a
relaxing and fun vacation. In winter, the ski resort is a fantastic place for
skiers; in summer tourists can escape the heat and enjoy fun outdoor activities.
All year round the resort offers beautiful scenery. |