Beiji Village, locally known as Arctic Village, sits at the northern tip of the Chinese mainland in Mohe, Heilongjiang Province. This November, the silent winter sky above this remote settlement turned into a dazzling canvas of multicolored light pillars, leaving both locals and travelers in awe. 🌌❄️
These stunning beams of light are an optical phenomenon created when tiny hexagonal ice crystals hover in calm, freezing air. As ground lights—from street lamps to cozy cabin windows—shine upward, the ice crystals act like mirrors, reflecting the light in vertical columns. The result? A breathtaking, rainbow-tinted sky show that looks straight out of a sci-fi film. 🎥✨
Unlike the Northern Lights, which are born from solar winds high in Earth’s atmosphere, light pillars are a close-to-home trick of physics. They pop up only when the conditions are just right: clear skies, still air, and temperatures plunging well below freezing. Mohe’s subzero nights this month provided the perfect backdrop for this frosty fairy-light dance.
Photos and videos of the spectacle have gone viral on social media, with visitors sharing #LightPillars selfies and time-lapse clips that capture the pillars flickering in every hue. For young explorers and Instagrammers chasing unique experiences, Beiji Village just earned a top spot on the bucket list. 📸🌈
Planning a winter adventure? Bundle up and head to Mohe between late November and January for your chance to witness the light-pillar magic. Remember: patience and perfect weather are key—so keep an eye on the forecast, pack your tripod, and get ready for a sky full of color. 🎒🌠
Reference(s):
What's behind rare light pillars over China's Arctic Village?
cgtn.com
