Mohe Aurora: A Fairy Tale World at 53° North Latitude

Mohe is the northernmost county-level city in China, located in the Greater Khingan Range of Heilongjiang Province. It is the only place in China where auroras can be observed, hence it is known as the "Arctic of China." ### Characteristics of Mohe Aurora: 1. **Aurora Appearance Time**: - The aurora in Mohe usually appears in winter (November to March), especially around the winter solstice (late December to early January), when the nights are longest, the sky is darkest, and the viewing conditions are optimal. - Auroras usually appear between 10 PM and 2 AM. 2. **Aurora Formation Conditions**: - Auroras are luminous phenomena produced by the collision of charged particles in the solar wind with gas molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. - Mohe is located above 50 degrees north latitude, close to the Arctic Circle, so there is a chance to see auroras when solar activity is strong. 3. **Aurora Colors**: - The auroras observed in Mohe are usually predominantly green, occasionally with red or purple. ### Best Locations for Aurora Viewing: 1. **Arctic Village**: - Arctic Village is the most famous tourist attraction in Mohe and one of the best places to observe the aurora. Far from city light pollution, the night sky is clear, suitable for long waits to see the aurora. 2. **Beihong Village**: - Beihong Village is the northernmost primitive village in China, located further north than Arctic Village, with less light pollution, making it an ideal location for aurora viewing. ### Travel Suggestions: - **Best Viewing Time**: Winter (November to March), especially around the winter solstice. - **Precautions**: - The winter temperature in Mohe is extremely low, usually -30°C or even lower. Be sure to take precautions against the cold when viewing the aurora. - The appearance of auroras is uncertain. It is recommended to check the weather forecast and aurora forecast in advance and choose a clear, cloudless night.