Beijing Review wishes you a very, very happy Christmas from Santa Claus' hometown—Rovaniemi in Finland

There is an icy wonder world far, far away in Finnish Lapland. The Northern Lights sparkle and dazzle although Rovaniemi is without sun in the winter and overshadowed by the high-rising Korvatunturi Mountain. The place has scant traces of human presence. It is home to a secret village, with houses, workshops and stables, and even an airport of its own.

Few people are heard of even having been there except a few older Lapland people who may be passed the snow world by accident. Nobody believes the tales they tell. In such a faraway place, who would have been able to set up a village like this? No one except Santa Claus.

This is the home of every child's Santa Claus. He is an elderly, amiable and white-bearded gentleman, who travels over mountains and rivers every year to bring us Christmas blessings. No one can remember where he came from or how he arrived in Korvatunturi. It is in vain to ask Santa himself. He only smiles, because he does not remember himself.

In December 2010, Beijing Review reporter Chen Ran traveled to the ICIUM ice and snow sculpture theme park in Finland, and visited the city of Rovaniemi near the Arctic Circle. Her lens brings you to Korvatunturi to enjoy a white Christmas--a special gift from Santa Claus' home town!