First time traveling to Harbin! This guide is all you need!

Winter is the time to head to Northeast China! From Harbin’s Russian-style streets to Snow Town’s red lantern snow houses, from Changbai Mountain’s Heavenly Lake to Yanji’s Korean-style nightlife, this one article covers the essentials. 🧳Travel Essentials 👕Clothing: 300g+ down jacket, fleece-lined outdoor pants, non-slip snow boots. 🧤Warmth: touchscreen gloves, ear protection hat, foot warmers/heat packs (stock up). 👜Others: high SPF sunscreen, lip balm, 2 or more power banks, camera snow cover. 🚥Transportation Guide ✈Major transport: Fly into Harbin Taiping Airport (many hub flights), return via Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport for convenience. 🚘Local transport: Prefer car rentals or pure-play small group tours between cities; Harbin to Snow Town about 4 hours, Changbai Mountain to Yanji 1 hour. 📅Itinerary Overview 👉D1: Gather in Harbin → Central Street → St. Sophia Cathedral night shoot → Stay in Harbin 👉D2: Harbin → Yabuli Ski Resort (ski gear included) → Hot springs → Stay in Yabuli 👉D3: Yabuli-Snow Town Road → Snow Town → Xueyun Street → Stay in Snow Town 👉D4: Snow Town sunrise → Jingpo Lake winter fishing → Changbai Mountain → Stay in Erdaobaihe 👉D5: Changbai Mountain Heavenly Lake → Green Pool → Hot springs → Stay in Erdaobaihe 👉D6: Demon Realm Rime Drift → Yanji Folk Park → Yanji University Food Street → Stay in Yanji 👉D7: Yanji → Water Market → Return from Yanji/Harbin/Changchun. 🏨Accommodation Recommendations 🏡Harbin: Anning Street/Aijian Road, better value than Central Street. 🏡Snow Town: Book in advance inside the scenic area, Xueyun Holiday Hotel near main attractions. 🏡Changbai Mountain: Stay in Erdaobaihe Town on the North Slope, Songjianghe Town on the West Slope. 🏡Yanji: Around Yanji University, convenient for Korean snacks. 😋Food Recommendations 🍱Harbin: Guo Bao Rou (Old Kitchen), Madie’er popsicles. 🍱Snow Town: Iron pot stewed goose, sticky bean buns. 🍱Changbai Mountain: Ginseng chicken soup, iron pot stewed fish. 🍱Yanji: Jeonju bibimbap, Grandma Yuan’s rice rolls, grilled cold noodles. 📢Notes ✅Safety: Hold steady against strong winds at Changbai Mountain Heavenly Lake, watch your step on Snow Town’s slippery paths. ✅Avoid pitfalls: Ask prices before spending in Snow Town, buy Yanji specialties at West Market. ✅Timing: Best from December to February, check Changbai Mountain Heavenly Lake’s opening status before departure.