Tourism makes Mohe county China's true north in winter

Villagers hack a hole in the river and push a net down for ice fishing. [Photo By Liu Xiangrui / China Daily]

The village is situated on the southern bank of the Heilongjiang River that demarcates the border with Russia.

Travelers come to visit China's northernmost post office, bank and primary school.

But its biggest single attraction is the aurora borealis. It's said to be the only place in China where the electromagnetic phenomenon can be seen.

Hundreds of photographers flock to the destination every summer in hopes of shooting the northern lights - although sightings are rare in the warmer months.

I enjoyed it most when the village went silent after 10 pm.

We used phone apps to detect constellations among the countless stars.

We were able to snap a couple of satisfying photos of the Milky Way after standing outdoors for nearly two hours.

Despite the late night, we got up around 6 am to enjoy the sunrise from a viewing tower.

Morning light sparkled on the rime-encrusted timberland. Haze drifted through the valley. Chimney smoke coiled from dwellings on the river's Russian side.

Such scenery is best explored aboard a one-horse open sleigh. (Jingle bells not included.)

The village has a team of drivers, and passengers ride under quilts in the vehicles.

We watched them whoosh by on our way to go ice fishing.

Villagers hack holes in the river and use a long pole to push a net down. A day or two later, they return to collect their catches.

The fish are said to be particularly tasty.

But hauls depend on luck.

Afterward, we headed to the nearby Santa Village.

It happened to be a few days before Christmas.

And it was looking a lot like it, everywhere we went.

Here, Saint Nick's job isn't making a list, checking it twice and finding out who's naughty or nice.

It's posing for photos with tourists.

Spoiler alert - as Mohe isn't really the North Pole (although proximate), Santa isn't really Kriss Kringle but rather, a Finish native who plays the part.

Mostly, his job is posing for photos with guests.

Speaking of poles, we did see a pole-dancing party in front of Santa's house.

An unlikely venue, perhaps.