Local's Harbin Travel Guide｜All-in-One for Food, Accommodation, and Transportation

Who gets it! Connecting the romance of Ice City, the fairy tale of Snow Town, the grandeur of Tianchi Lake, and the lively atmosphere of Yanji is the right way to enjoy winter✨ Packed with pure, no-route-needed tips, guaranteed no missteps～ 👜 Travel Essentials 1️⃣ Clothing: 300g+ down jacket, down pants, windproof shell jacket, bright colors for great photos 2️⃣ Accessories: ear-protecting trapper hat, waterproof ski gloves, heated insoles, high-top anti-slip snow boots 3️⃣ Must-haves: heat packs (bring plenty! Stick on body + phone), 500ml+ thermos, ski goggles (to prevent snow blindness) 🚗 Round-trip Transport and Car Hire ✈️ Round-trip: Fly to Harbin Taiping Airport (many flights), return via Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport is most convenient 🚘 Intercity: Harbin Snow Town → Changbai Mountain → Yanji, choose car hire or carpool. ✨ Tips: Prioritize 5-seat SUVs or 7-seat business vans, driver also acts as guide for peace of mind, avoid cheap unlicensed cars 📝 Quick Itinerary 👉D1: Gather in Harbin → Central Street → Saint Sophia Cathedral → Stay in Harbin 👉D2: Harbin → Yabuli Ski Resort → Horse-drawn sled → Stay in Yabuli 👉D3: Yaxue Highway → Datudingzi Mountain → Ice and Snow Gallery → Stay in Snow Town 👉D4: Snow Town → Xueyun Street → Jingpo Lake Winter Fishing → Stay in Erdaobaihe 👉D5: Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake → Green Pool → Hot Springs → Stay in Erdaobaihe 👉D6: Demon Realm Rafting → Yanji Folk Culture Park → Popular Bullet Screen Wall → Stay in Yanji 👉D7: Yanji → Water Market → Return from Yanji/Harbin/Changchun 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations 🏡 Harbin: Near Central Street/Saint Sophia Cathedral, super convenient for walking and eating 🏡 Snow Town: Warm kang rooms around Xueyun Street inside the scenic area, book 1 month in advance to avoid crowded kangs 🏡 Changbai Mountain: Hot spring hotels in Erdaobaihe Town, cost-effective and warm 🏡 Yanji: Near Yanji University, walking distance to the popular wall and food street, very convenient 🍜 Food Recommendations 🍱 Harbin: Old Chef’s Guobaorou (crispy sweet and sour pork), Madie’er popsicles, Tados Russian-style stewed beef 🍱 Snow Town: Copper pot hotpot, molten hot spring eggs, sticky bean buns dipped in sugar 🍱 Changbai Mountain: Korean spicy kimchi fried rice, warming ginseng chicken soup 🍱 Yanji: Fengmao BBQ skewers, Jeonju bibimbap, Shunji cold noodles, all for about 50 RMB per person to eat until full ⚠️ Notes 1. Check the weather for Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake in advance via the “Changbai Mountain Scenic Area” official WeChat; the North Slope is more developed 2. Say no to cheap roadside dog sledding in Snow Town; official rides can be bargained down to 30 RMB per round 3. Large temperature difference indoors and outdoors; seal your phone in a bag before going inside to prevent fogging 4. Northeast Chinese dishes are large portions; order less when in groups to avoid waste; choose red sausage from Shangwei or Qiulin Lidaosi Winter in Northeast China truly fulfills all romantic imaginations! Save this guide and set off on your ice and snow adventure now～