Jilin Rime Ice Viewing Guide from Changchun

❄️Want to see rime ice but afraid of missing out? This nanny-level guide from Changchun teaches you how to accurately capture "five-star rime ice." Choose self-driving or high-speed rail, check in at Wusong Island or Ashehada Minor Rime Island, and enjoy skiing, hot springs, and Songhua River fish feasts along the way, embracing the ultimate romance of the northern winter! --- 🌅[Rime Ice Viewing Guide: Morning Report Determines Itinerary] 1️⃣ Must-see "Rime Ice Morning Report" Every morning at 6:00, check the WeChat official account "Jilin Travel" or "Jilin Rime Ice" for the "Rime Ice Morning Report" to view the day's rime ice star rating forecast. If it shows 5 stars (extremely high probability), set off immediately! 3 stars or above is also worth a try. Pay close attention to Wusong Island or Ashe Minor Rime Island, where rime ice formation rates are higher. 2️⃣ Golden Time The best viewing period is 7:30-9:30. The rime ice is crystal clear when the sun rises, and gradually falls off after 10:00. It is recommended to arrive at the scenic spot as early as possible. --- 🚗[Transportation Guide: Self-driving or High-speed Rail] High-speed Rail: Changchun Station → Jilin Station (approx. 1 hr). Go directly to your destination after exiting the station. Carpool/charter directly, or take the bus. The bus takes longer. Self-driving: Changchun → Jilin City (approx. 1 hr 50 mins). Navigate to: Wusong Island (Zengtong Village/Hantun)/Ashehada Minor Rime Island. --- 🏞️[Two Islands Check-in: The "Top Stream" of the Rime Ice World] 1️⃣ Wusong Island (Zengtong Village/Hantun/Core Scenic Area) Highlights: More rustic atmosphere. Surrounded by water, the rime ice is dense like "thousands of trees covered with pear blossoms." At sunrise, the river mist is like a fairyland, a must-see for photographers. Activities: Zengtong Village and Hantun are free, but tickets are required for the core scenic area. Take photos of rime ice reflections, experience horse-drawn sleigh rides, go rafting, visit the Wula History and Culture Museum, and enjoy farmhouse iron pot stew or Manchu hot pot. 2️⃣ Ashehada Minor Rime Island Highlights: Free. Close to the city, with fewer people and beautiful scenery. The rime ice along the Songhua River stretches for miles, suitable for those who don't want to travel far. It is located together with the Songhua Lake Scenic Area and Vanke Songhua Lake Ski Resort, making it convenient for sightseeing along the way. Hidden Spot: The riverside walkway along Jifeng East Road. Aerial photography can capture a panoramic view of the "Silver Silk Corridor." --- ⛷️[Side Trips: Skiing + Hot Springs + Food] Jilin Songhua Lake Scenic Area: The Songhua Lake Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level scenic spot (applying for AAAAA) formed by the Fengman Hydropower Station damming the Songhua River in 1937. It is known for its distinct four seasons, beautiful lake and mountain scenery, dense forests, more than 100 islands, and abundant aquatic products (such as Songhua whitefish). It is known as the "Pearl of the North" with "less magnificent than the Three Gorges, more beautiful than the West Lake." Songhua Lake Ski Resort: Vanke Songhua Lake Ski Resort has been named "China's Best Ski Resort" for eight consecutive years. It has 50 high-quality ski trails with a total length of 55 km and a skiing area of 220 hectares. Adjacent to the Songhua Lake Scenic Area, it is located at 43° north latitude, the "Ice and Snow Golden Latitude Belt," and is known for its family-friendly facilities, night skiing light shows, rime ice landscapes, and four-season mountain resort experience. Jilin City Tour: Enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river, a blend of ancient charm and exotic styles. Stroll along the Songhua River and watch the morning mist caress the steel spine of the century-old Jilin Bridge. In the afternoon, climb Beishan Park's Lanpei Pavilion to overlook the entire city, and find a touch of Zen in the thousand-year-old temple complex. At dusk, climb the Longtan Mountain Park and touch the ancient walls of the Goguryeo city, imagining the vastness of "not seeing the ancients before." After nightfall, head straight to Hunchun Street, where the neon-lit Russian-style buildings are like a dazzling chain of stars. Raise your camera under the lights of the national gate and capture the magical night scene of Chinese and Russian bilingual signs intertwined with onion domes. Then, dive into an authentic Russian restaurant and let borscht and kvass awaken your taste buds on a cross-border journey—this is the correct way to experience Jilin City. --- 🍲Food Map｜A Feast in the Ice and Snow, from River Delicacies to Carbohydrates🔥 🌊Songhua River Fish Feast Head straight to Jinqiu Fish Restaurant, lift the bubbling iron pot lid, and the aroma of Songhua River carp mixed with sauce will rush into your nostrils! The fish melts on your tongue like congealed fat. Dip it in the thick sauce, then break off a piece of golden crispy corn cake, letting the wheaty aroma of the coarse grains wrap around the sweetness of the river delicacies—this is the soul-stirring experience of Northeast iron pot stew! (You can call the owner to stew it in advance to save waiting time.) 🌾Carbohydrate Overload Zone Rush into the Beef Hedle Shop (Qingdao Street Branch) and watch the chef press out the arc of corn hedle with a "click." Pour the pickled cabbage and meat sauce over it, and the chewy texture will instantly activate your taste buds! The freshly baked beef pie is sizzling with oil. Bite through the crispy crust, and the hot meat juice explodes in your mouth. At this moment, you just want to shout, "Boss, two more!" 🕌Halal Flavor Bomb Open the door of the Arab Restaurant, and the aroma hits you! The hand-pulled lamb drips with juice the moment it's torn apart. The lamb soup is filled with crystal-clear vermicelli, and the rich broth can coat the spoon. Sprinkle a handful of chopped coriander, and the cold night is instantly healed. 🔥Farmhouse Extravaganza Step into the red brick house in Zengtong Village. The firewood crackles under the iron pot, and a whole goose rolls in a sea of pickled cabbage, producing amber-colored oil flowers! The sourness of the pickled cabbage neutralizes the richness of the goose meat. The blood sausage is as tender as tofu. Take a piece and dip it in mashed garlic, and wash it down with hot corn liquor—how can one not indulge in this extravagant Northeast feast on a snowy night? --- 📌[Itinerary Suggestions & Precautions] Same-day round trip: 6:00 Depart from Changchun → 7:50 Arrive at Wusong Island/Ashehada Minor Rime Island → 12:00 Lunch → 14:00 Songhua Lake side trip → 17:00 Return. If you have enough time, you can stay overnight for a more relaxed itinerary. Stay overnight in a farmhouse heated brick bed on Wusong Island, at the ski resort, or in the city. The next day, enjoy hot springs + explore the city, leisurely unlocking more activities. Equipment Tips: Warmth: Thick down jacket, snow boots, touchscreen gloves, hand warmers (stick them on the back of your phone to prevent it from shutting down due to cold). Photography: Spare camera battery, polarizing filter to reduce glare. Shooting rime ice against the light in the early morning will make it more translucent. --- From the rime ice wonderland to the world of fireworks, a winter fairy tale just 2 hours from Changchun, what are you waiting for? Follow the morning report, go whenever you want, and leave no regrets this winter!❄️📸