Unfortunately missed Tianchi Lake, but caught the sunset at Xueling!

We came for Tianchi Lake, hoping to catch a glimpse of its beauty, but it was closed. Brother Yanzu decisively recommended the "Sunset Xueling" itinerary. Early in the morning, he took us to enjoy the rime ice rafting. Indeed, rafting with rime ice is the pinnacle of rafting experiences—the scenery was absolutely stunning! During the rafting, our guide informed us that the main peak of Tianchi was closed and immediately adjusted our travel plan. We didn’t have to worry about a thing; just follow Yanzu, and everything was perfectly arranged. The one-day Xueling tour was a perfect substitute for Changbai Mountain. It takes just over an hour by car from Erdaobaihe town to Xueling. We chatted and laughed along the way, so the time flew by. When we reached the winding mountain road of Xueling, we knew we had made the right choice. The frost-covered trees on both sides of the road were breathtakingly beautiful. We were already amazed before even entering the scenic area. At Xueling, we chose to hike up the mountain and take a horse-drawn sled down. Yanzu helped us buy horse tickets in advance, 120 yuan per person. If you hike, be prepared: when it’s cold, wrap yourself up completely, leaving only your eyes exposed, or you’ll really freeze. Also, wear shoes with non-slip soles, or you’ll fall badly. Just follow the crowd and the signs while hiking in Xueling; you won’t get lost. After about half an hour, you’ll reach the Forest Tavern, which has many great photo spots, including a pink house. The Forest Tavern has a small supermarket with food and drinks, as well as roasted sweet potatoes and skewers. The most photogenic spot here is the frozen roses. After enjoying this, follow the signs for about another half hour to reach the Reindeer Park at the summit. There’s a rest hall where you can also dine. Entry to the Reindeer Park is free, but if you want to feed and take photos with the reindeer, you need to buy a moss tray for 30 yuan. The reindeer will stick close to you and follow you around. Don’t be afraid—they are not aggressive, just hungry. After playing here, be sure to time your return to the base by around 3:30 PM, as this is the best time to watch the sunset at Xueling. Our guide was very strict about this timing! So we didn’t miss any part of the experience and followed the schedule perfectly. I have to praise the local guide we found—very professional, accompanying us throughout, so we didn’t have to worry about anything.