Popularly known as frost flowers or ice-rimmed trees, rime refers to frost attached to tree branches, different from snow or ice. It only appears in winter because very a low temperature is required. Also there should be abundant water vapors. Embraced by water on all sides, Rime Island enjoys an advantageous position, which is perfect for the formation of frost flowers. The water here does not freeze in winter, generating water vapors continuously. When blown by breeze, they fly to trees nearby and condense to form rime due to the dramatic drop of temperature. In winter, the oddly-shaped weeping willows along the river banks on Rime Island are dressed in pure white. From a distance, the frost flowers look like white clouds or waves. Visitors may feel they are in a fascinating crystal fairyland with jade trees and silver flowers.

Zengtong Village and Hantun Village near Rime Island are good places to appreciate the rime scenery. To appreciate the beautiful rime scenery, visitors should experience three phases, appreciating the fog on Songhua River at night, the rime on trees in the early morning, and rime fall scenery before noon.

Fog scenery can usually be seen around ten o’clock at night. Generally speaking, the thicker the fog, the more magnificent the rime scenery on the following day. Thanks to the thick fog, willows, pines, cypresses and elms along Songhua River will be coated with rime. After 9 o’clock, the rime on the trees starts to fall in the sunshine, as if it snows.

Jilin Rime Ice and Snow Festival has been held since 1991, sponsored by Jilin Provincial Tourism Administration and Jilin municipal government. It is usually held from mid-December to the end of February, with a certain theme. A series of activities will be held during the festival, including various sports activities on Songhua Lake Ski Resort, Beidahu Ski Resort, Zhuque Mountain Ski Resort, Wujiashan Ski Resort, Mingshan Oasis Ski Resort, Beishan Ice and Snow World, and Qilinshan Ski Resort.