Frequent reports of price gouging in China's Northeast Snow Town — no price discounts even at -30°C, and no snowsuits for rent

Snow is a rare sight in subtropical Taiwan, let alone beautiful ski resorts perfect for skiing or building snowmen. When Taiwanese want to indulge in some snowy fun, they usually head to nearby countries like China or Japan. However, recent reports have emerged about unscrupulous businesses in China’s Northeast Snow Town engaging in price hikes. Tour guides allegedly push expensive optional tours aggressively, and if tourists refuse to pay, they’re left without any snowsuits to rent in the bitter -30°C cold.

At the center of countless "price gouging" scandals is the Snow Town National Forest Park, located in Shuangfeng Forest Farm, Hailin, Heilongjiang, covering an area of 500 hectares. Thanks to its pure, sticky snow quality, it’s perfect for snow sports, attracting winter enthusiasts from both home and abroad.

Since Snow Town only makes money from tourism for three months a year, many tourists are treated like easy targets. There’s even a brazen local saying: “Sharpen the knife for nine months, fleece the tourists for three.” The reason behind the endless stream of price gouging incidents is the inconsistent pricing of local tour packages. Travel agencies organizing group tours try to squeeze as much money as possible from visitors by forcing them to buy optional activities. Those who refuse may not even get basic snowsuits. With the extreme cold, most tourists end up paying up just to avoid further trouble.

Many people have taken to the internet to share their experiences of being ripped off. An article titled "No matter how white the snow in Snow Town is, it can't cover up the pure blackness of human hearts" has gone viral. There have even been reports of tourists being abandoned in the snow, suffering from frostbite so severe that some had to have limbs amputated. For those planning to visit, it’s best to choose reputable travel agencies, avoid ambiguous itineraries, and read the fine print carefully — that way, you can avoid not only missing out on the snow but also ending up angry and frustrated.