Escape to the Arctic Charm of Narvik
When the scorching heat of summer fades, the cold of winter can feel surprisingly comforting. In this chilly season, I present to you Narvik, a hidden gem located in the Arctic Circle.
The Call of the Sea: A Man’s Harbor
Many say the sea belongs to men, offering a vast space to roam freely. However, every man longs for a harbor to call his own—a place where they can drop all pretenses, shed their worries, and find solace in their own space.
Narvik: A Port Between Norway and Sweden
Narvik is a port city nestled at the border between Norway and Sweden, located in the Arctic Circle. On two separate occasions, I traveled to Narvik, entering via Kiruna in Sweden, passing through Abisko, and then the small town of K. Along the way, I passed a wind farm, and although I’ve seen many wind farms—like the massive one in Dabancheng, Xinjiang, or the picturesque ones in Gansu—I must say, the sight of wind turbines against the snowy backdrop of Narvik was the most beautiful. The landscape was so pure that it soothed my creative soul. 
The Northernmost Port
Narvik, located in Norway, is one of the northernmost ports in the world, with a population of around 10,000. Despite the harsh winters with temperatures dropping well below freezing, Narvik remains an ice-free port thanks to the warm currents of the North Atlantic.
A Winter’s Day in Narvik
Sitting in the highest building of the city, holding a steaming cup of coffee in a warm 20°C room while outside it’s -20°C, I was mesmerized. Through the window, I gazed at the fjords and colorful houses, lost in a daydream. I imagined if Santa Claus might suddenly ride his sleigh through the sky, or if a mythical creature might appear from one of the little houses.
Narvik’s Historic Significance
Narvik holds historical importance as a site of intense battles during WWII, particularly the Battle of Narvik between Germany and the Allies. It also served as a crucial export port for Swedish iron ore. For me, it was the northernmost point of my aurora borealis journey, where the peaceful harbor was bathed in the afterglow of the polar sunset. The yachts swayed gently in the water, and I felt as though the dreams of Nordic people floated alongside them. And in this quiet town, under the midnight sky, my dream of seeing the northern lights came true.
A Long-Awaited Aurora Dream
Before Narvik, I spent a sleepless night in the small town of K. The previous nights had been filled with disappointment—one of my companions missed the aurora due to oversleeping, and we had waited another night in vain. This would be our last chance. I wondered: If I missed it, would I regret it forever? But then, it happened. The aurora exploded in the sky—a stunning display of colors that left me breathless. It was beyond anything I could have imagined. The beauty was so overwhelming, I haven’t been able to recover from it!
The Many Colors of the Northern Lights
Not all auroras are green, though. They can be red, purple, or blue. Like the stock market in China, where green is common and red is rare, auroras show us that nature can surprise us with the most unexpected brilliance.
