Mount Fanjing, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Chinese mainland's Guizhou Province, has become a viral sensation this week after heavy snowfall transformed its peaks into a crystalline paradise. The January 6 weather event created surreal vistas of rime ice clinging to ancient forests and temple rooftops, drawing comparisons to traditional ink paintings come to life.
Local photographers captured the mountain at dawn on January 8, 2026, as sunlight pierced through ice-coated branches, creating prismatic light effects across the 2,570-meter elevation. The phenomenon occurs when supercooled water droplets freeze upon contact with surfaces, coating the entire ecosystem in delicate ice crystals.
While winter temperatures regularly dip below -10°C at the summit, visitor numbers remain strong due to improved accessibility through Guizhou's high-speed rail network. Conservation authorities emphasize sustainable tourism practices to protect the mountain's unique biodiversity, which includes over 2,000 plant species.
