Trip Overview
When: December (winter season - prime time for snow activities)
Duration: 1 day
Travelers: With friends
Budget: ~100 RMB (~$14 USD) per person
Transportation: Self-drive from Tianjin city center
Getting There
The Eden Aurora Ice and Snow World (伊甸园极光冰雪世界) is located in the Tianjin Jizhou Eden Ecological Education International Living Demonstration Zone (天津蓟州伊甸园生态教育国际生活示范区), right at the intersection of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. Since Jizhou District borders Beijing's Pinggu District, it's roughly equidistant from both city centers. I set off from Tianjin city, but my Beijing friends who started at the same time actually arrived 15 minutes before me - that's how convenient the location is!
The entrance is super distinctive - several pyramid-shaped buildings surrounding a courtyard.
Stepping inside one step at a time, you feel like you've entered another dimension.
Looking around, there's a Rock Art Museum, British BASI Children's Ski School, Eden Greenism Restaurant, Tree Coffee, Mine Pit Club, Polar Bar, Exdo Outdoor Equipment Store, grocery store... and more.
But first, let's play at the Aurora Ice and Snow World!
As soon as we entered, we saw a bunch of kids going wild with excitement.
There were also kids skiing, and they were pretty good at it! I learned that the Aurora Ice and Snow World has a children's teaching ski slope specifically designed for beginners aged 6-12.
Jizhou Eden collaborates with the UK's BASI ski school, using terrain-based teaching methods with lots of fun and practical teaching equipment. Kids can master basic skiing skills while having fun. Plus, winter camp students who pass the assessment receive certification from the British BASI Ski School.
Kids these days are so much more fortunate than I was. I had to learn skiing all by myself and took many tumbles!
Of course, besides skiing, there are plenty of activities for both kids and adults: ice bumper cars, snow sea lions, snow penguins, snow spinning rides...
I could guess what most activities were, but I wanted to see what the 'snow spinning ride' was. Two little girls just sat on sleds and slid down the slope - though I don't think that's it. I'll keep it a mystery for you to discover yourself!
Both kids and adults were having a blast - you don't need all those skiing skills to experience the thrill of sliding down!
The snow field setup is also very atmospheric, and most visitors are families.
Then the kids all roll and crawl around in the snow.
When I was a kid, boys used to throw each other into snow piles in groups. Now kids just lie down directly in the snow.
There's also a plush toy area in the snow field.
Plush toys are hanging from trees and standing in the snow - all kinds of adorable stuffed animals. The girls I was with rushed to sit among the plush toys and take photos.
The kids in the park also have their own exclusive mode of transportation.
That's right - human-powered sleds driven by parents!
For adults, I think taking the Eden train is more reliable.
What's the best snack for winter? Don't say hot pot! It's definitely candied hawthorn on a stick. In Tianjin, we call it 'tang dun er' - red hawthorn, crab apples, and yam segments threaded on bamboo sticks, dipped in icy sugar syrup. Red and tempting - this is the true limited winter delicacy.
'Candied hawthorn! No seeds!!' - that's the authentic Tianjin street cry.
Climbing over hills and crossing streams, at the end of the snow field stands the biggest mascot of the Aurora Ice and Snow World.
A few gentoo penguins who recently migrated from the Falkland Islands!
With their orange-red beaks and flippers, and a distinctive white stripe on their heads, they're exceptionally pretty. I've only seen them from far away at zoos before. Being able to watch them so closely at Eden was really lucky. They seem so gentle and well-behaved - I really wanted to take one home!
After exiting the Aurora Ice and Snow World, I decided to explore the surrounding facilities of Eden.
Tianjin Jizhou Eden originates from the UK 'Eden' IP - it's the UK's national environmental business card, focusing on education, entertainment, and natural immersion.
With so many buildings, the first one I investigated was naturally the core pyramid structure.
Located at the current core position, the design is bold and stylish, somewhat similar to the Louvre's pyramid.
Inside, I discovered the 'Rock Art Museum' displaying many photographic works.
The dome above, with greenery and plant lines, is simple yet powerful.
Walking further in, the light and shadow around become both virtual and real. The sunlight spots from the ceiling and the hollow light through the walls create a wonderful interplay between reality and illusion.
Appreciating paintings in such a wonderful architecture made me feel like I was becoming more cultured - ha!
Coming out of the museum, the next noticeable feature is the Eden Box - a brand new concept model room at Eden. With 5.4-meter ceiling height, it proposes that everything in life can be freely designed, allowing everyone to tap into their creative source and use inspiration to collect their life's passions.
I live in a loft myself, and it feels incredibly convenient - hosting on the first floor, working and resting on the second. So I have a special fondness for loft-style units.
The 'Knight Space' decoration is completely my style - the 5.4-meter ceiling feels more spacious, and the decoration style is especially rugged, avoiding the overused fresh and cute aesthetic.
Coarse textured carpet, leather sofa, terrazzo-toned furniture, solid wood desktop - oh yes, it's right up my alley.
And the motorcycle that maximizes adrenaline - so cool!
The second floor has an equally gray-toned office and bedroom area. After viewing, I was really tempted!
Other spaces are also great for photo ops - loft units really are beautiful no matter how you decorate them.
Like this 'Eden Camp' - full of fresh, cute vibes.
The regular units follow a warm family atmosphere.
Spacious guest area, warm bedroom.
Feels perfect for taking photos - ha!
Maybe it's mainly because Jizhou has such good sunshine. When the beautiful sunshine shines, everything looks so much warmer.
I'm not sure if it's an illusion, but I always feel Jizhou's sunshine is softer and more beautiful than Tianjin city. What I can definitely confirm is that the sky is much bluer than the city.
Walking out of the box, there's also the Eden Greenism Restaurant, Tree Coffee... When doing aerial photography, I noticed a snow-white area on the ground that sparked my curiosity.
Getting closer, I discovered it's a zen courtyard paved with white pebbles, with white-edged walls, and a specially opened section framing Jizhou's landmark - the national 5A scenic area Panshan (盘山) - such a thoughtful design.
I came here just for playing in the snow, but unexpectedly discovered a new spot for photo ops and leisure entertainment - no wonder it's the Aranya team's new masterpiece. Once all facilities are completely built, it will probably become a permanent fixture on social media, just like the 'World's End Most Lonely Library.'
What exactly will it be like? Well, I didn't find out - we'll know when it's completed next year.