Winter sports are becoming more and more popular in China because of China's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics. But it is too far to get to Switzerland, and in fact, there are plenty of amazing tourism destinations in China that feature wonderful winter scenery and great facilities for winter sports.

The selection of China's "Top 10 ice and snow wonderlands," although not official, has received a great deal of attention on the Internet. Half of these spots are located in Heilongjiang province in northeastern China due to the region's long winter and amazing winter scenery.

Let's take a look at the top 10 ice and snow wonderlands in China:

North Pole Village, Heilongjiang [Photo/China.org.cn]

North Pole Village can be found in the utmost northern part of China in Mohe county, Heilongjiang province. Separated from neighboring Russia by only a river, North Pole Village is the only place in China to enjoy aurora borealis and the midnight sun phenomenon. The town is also called the "Home of Santa Claus," the "World of Children's Stories" and the "World Above Snow". The Summer Solstice is the busiest time of year in North Pole Village, when bonfire parties go on beside the river all night long.

Hehuanshan, Taiwan [Photo/Xinhua]

Hehuanshan, also known as Hehuan Mountain, is a very popular travel destination in Taiwan. Due to the island's tropical climate, snow is rarely seen in other regions of Taiwan, but it is relatively common on Hehuan Mountain during winter months. When winter comes, the trees are covered with long icicles. The amazing ice-covered landscape will make you feel like you're entering the ice world in the film "Frozen".

Yichun, Heilongjiang [Photo/China.org.cn]

Heilongjiang's Yichun, nicknamed "The Forest Capital" and "Natural Oxygen Bar" for its extensive forests, is an ideal place to enjoy natural scenery. The area is an important timber production base featuring the largest red pine forest in the world. Its abundant natural resources make it a popular travel destination all year around, especially in winter when all trees are covered with snow, offering visitors views of an amazingly serene world.

Yabuli, Heilongjiang [Photo/Xinhua]

Located 210km to the southeast of Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang, Yabuli is famous for having the largest ski resort in China - Yabuli International Ski Resort. The resort features the largest ski jumping facilities in the country, and it hosted the 1996 Winter Asian Games, the 2008 National Winter Games and the 2009 Winter Universiade. Winter sports lovers can't miss this paradise!

Shuangfeng Forest Farm, Heilongjiang  [Photo/China.org.cn]

Located in Hailin city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Shuangfeng Forest Farm has been named "The Snow Town of China" because the area is covered with snow for most of the year. The snow here is famous for its high volume and high density. Snow hangs from the eaves of buildings all the way to the ground, forming unique "snow curtains".

Wusong Island [Photo/China.org.cn]

Located in Tuchengzi county in the Changyi district of Jilin province, Wusong Island is famous for its marvelous winter scenery. When winter approaches, the branches of the island's willow trees are covered with glittering ice, making each tree look like a crystal statue in the sunshine. The island has become a famous scenic spot in Jilin city during the winter. Skiing, winter swimming and other types of seasonal entertainment are available to tourists.

Harbin [Photo/China.org.cn]

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province, China's northeastern-most region. With its arctic climate and abundant ice and snow, the city is known as China's "Ice City". Harbin's architecture has given rise to the city's nicknames, "Oriental Moscow" and "Oriental Paris". If you visit Harbin, don't miss the Harbin Ice and Snow World, which is by far the largest ice and snow art exhibition and amusement park in the world.

Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia [Photo/pic.gmw.cn]

Yakeshi is a county-level city in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia. Its climate is characterized by a cool, short summer and a long, chilly winter. The city has abundant natural resources and amazing winter scenery that has earned it the title "The City of Ice and Snow". Yakeshi is home to a national forest park and the largest multi-functional ski resort in China – Fengguan Ski Resort. Thanks to the city's convenient transportation and great environment, it is a popular travel destination in winter.

Altay, Xinjiang [Photo/Xinhua]

Altay, also known as Aletai city, is located in Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The city is known for its beautiful natural scenery. Tourist attractions in the prefecture include Kanas Lake, Birch Park, the Altay Mountains, and the Erqis River. Each attraction displays different scenery in different seasons. The most amazing seasons to see in Altay are autumn and winter. In winter, the snow-covered trees, rocks, rivers and mountains present visitors with a pure and wondrous landscape.

Helan Mountains, Ningxia [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The Helan Mountains, which form the border between Inner Mongolia and Ningxia, are famous for their forests of age-old and rare spruces, pines and aspens. In summer, the area is covered with green forests that stretch as far as the eye can see. In winter, the pure ice and snow on the mountains looks spectacular in the sun.