Harbin + Snow Town + Changbai Mountain + Yanji｜Super Practical Guide

Who understands! A trip that links Harbin’s European style, the fairy-tale Snow Town, Changbai Mountain’s volcanic Tianchi Lake, and Yanji’s Korean ethnic charm is the ultimate winter romance～Here’s a no-nonsense practical guide to save you hassle and avoid pitfalls! ❄️ Travel Essentials (Warmth is King) 1️⃣ Outfit: 200g+ down filling + down jacket + down pants + anti-slip snow boots (with snow spikes), touchscreen gloves, wool hat, thick scarf—all indispensable 2️⃣ Must-haves: Heat packs (stick on phone + ankles for long-lasting warmth), lip balm + body lotion (to prevent dryness), sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness and for great photos), high-capacity power bank 3️⃣ Others: ID card + student ID (half price at some attractions), stomach medicine + cold medicine (to handle temperature changes) 🚗 Transportation & Car Rental ✈️ Major transport: Flying into/out of Harbin or Yanji is most convenient; high-speed trains connect all four places directly (Changbai Mountain → Yanji 2h) 🚘 Recommended car rental: For Harbin → Snow Town → Changbai Mountain, choose a reputable platform for car rental, 600-800 RMB/day including snow tires and driver, safer and more worry-free than carpooling 🚍 Scenic area transport: Snow Town and Changbai Mountain rely on official shuttle buses; avoid unlicensed cars and private guides 📅 Itinerary Overview 👉D1: Central Street → Saint Sophia Cathedral → Ice and Snow World → 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: Choose near Central Street, within walking distance to Saint Sophia Cathedral, super convenient for shopping and dining 🏡 Snow Town: Prioritize newly opened inns inside the scenic area, look for private bathrooms + floor heating, with snow mushrooms right outside the window 🏡 Changbai Mountain: Hot spring hotels in Erdaobaihe Town, including shuttle service + volcanic hot springs, experience the contrast of ice and fire 🏡 Yanji: Budget chain hotels around the university area, walking distance to the popular wall and food street 🍜 Food List 🍱 Harbin: Old Chef’s Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork), Madie’er popsicles, iron pot stewed ribs, freshly brewed kvass 🍱 Snow Town: Frozen pears and persimmons, stewed little chicken with mushrooms, sticky bean buns dipped in sugar 🍱 Changbai Mountain: Hot spring eggs (3 for 10 RMB), Korean rice cakes, warming ginseng chicken soup 🍱 Yanji: Jeonju bibimbap, Soonhee cold noodles, morning market rice cakes at the Water Market ⚠️ Notes 1. Book Changbai Mountain tickets on the official website 3 days in advance; Tianchi Lake opening depends entirely on weather 2. Walk slowly with small steps on snow; put phone and camera in sealed bags before going indoors to prevent fogging 3. Northeast Chinese dishes are large portions; order for 2-3 people using the N-1 principle to avoid waste 4. For Harbin red sausage, choose brands from Shangwei or Qiulin Lidaosi, avoid imitation products in scenic areas 5. Don’t be tempted by cheap tour groups; make sure the contract clearly states no shopping stops Northeast China in winter is truly breathtakingly beautiful—plan well and travel with peace of mind～