Southern friends all go to Lushan to see the snow in December: the most complete 2-day 1-night guide!

Who says southerners have to go to the Northeast to see snow? Winter in Lushan holds surprises—frost clings to every branch, you can build snowmen and have snowball fights, and even the waterfalls freeze into ice formations. This 2-day 1-night guide will teach you how to enjoy the southern snow with a sense of ceremony～ ❄️ When to go? Catch the romance of the first snow - Past first snow dates for reference: December 15, 2024; December 16, 2023; December 5, 2022. Frost has already appeared in November this year, and with a cold wave coming next week, the first snowfall is expected. If you want to be the first to rush there, keep an eye on the news～ - Best snow season: December to February of the following year, when the snow is thickest and the ice formations are most spectacular, especially in January, when you can enjoy the snow and avoid the Spring Festival crowds. 🚄 Transportation from Guangzhou and Shenzhen: 4.5 hours direct to the snow country - High-speed rail: - Guangzhou South → Jiujiang: about 4.5 hours, second-class seat 427 RMB, trains every 1-2 hours after 7 AM, very convenient to transfer after arrival. - Shenzhen North → Jiujiang: about 5.5 hours, second-class seat 538 RMB, frequent trains after 8 AM, recommended to take a morning train to enter the mountains by afternoon. - Jiujiang to Lushan: - Bus No. 15: direct from Jiujiang Station to the Lushan Cableway lower station, 2 RMB per person, 30 minutes, budget-friendly. - Cableway: 80 RMB one way, 150 RMB round trip, 10 minutes straight to the mountain! Mountain roads can be icy in snowy weather, the cableway is safe and saves energy, highly recommended! - In the scenic area: buy the 80 RMB/7-day sightseeing bus pass! Attractions are scattered, walking in snow is exhausting, the bus lets you hop on and off anytime, even better to buy on weekends～ 🏠 Stay on the mountain or at the foot? The answer is clear - Must stay on the mountain! Open your window to frost and snow views, no need to rush early to watch the sunrise at Hanpoukou at 7 AM, saving 1.5 hours of commuting. Recommended to stay in Guling Town, convenient for dining and shopping. After snow, the street lamps reflecting on the snow make it look like a fairy tale town. - Reminder: room prices rise on snowy days, book 1-2 weeks in advance! Choose a heated guesthouse, warm your snow boots before bed to be ready for a full day of snow fun～ - Staying at the foot of the mountain is cheaper, but daily round trips on the cableway and winding mountain roads are exhausting, and morning snow and sunrise are out of reach. ⛄ 2-day 1-night essential itinerary: fully enjoy the snow scenery Day 1: Stroll through the snowy town - Guling Town: drop off your luggage and explore the town first. The red roofs covered with snow, holding a roasted sweet potato to warm your hands, every photo looks Nordic. - Huajing + Ruqin Lake: Ruqin Lake has thin ice, pine branches weighed down by snow, walking on the lakeside boardwalk, hearing the crunch of snow underfoot, so healing you want to lie down. - Xianfeng Peak + Immortal Cave: the mountain path is a bit steep after snow, hold the railing to climb up, see the ice formations at Immortal Cave, with clouds rolling in the distance, like walking in heaven. - Tianchi Lake sunset: the evening sun gilds the snow, windmills turn in the snow, perfect for silhouette photos with great atmosphere. - Evening: eat a bowl of hot noodle soup in town to warm your stomach, then buy a skewer of candied hawthorn, nibble while walking, like celebrating New Year as a child. Day 2: Double surprise of sunrise + ice waterfall - Hanpoukou (arrive before 7 AM): after snow, clouds and mist swirl, when the sun rises, golden light pierces through the clouds onto the snow, the lake and distant mountains glow, find a rock to sit on and quietly watch for an hour without getting tired. - Distant view of Poyang Lake: the snowy lake surface is vast and misty, the reeds on the shore covered with snow look like a traditional ink painting with blank spaces. - Sandie Spring Waterfall: half frozen, half flowing in winter, ice formations crystal clear, sunlight makes them look like crystal, climbing over 1,000 steps is worth it! - Lulin Lake: the snowy lake looks like a sapphire, surrounding pine trees bowing, take a reflection photo and you won’t know if it’s snow or clouds. 🧥 What to wear? Warm and photogenic - Temperature: -5℃ to 8℃, windier and colder on the mountain, wear a long down coat! Top: thermal underwear + sweater + down jacket; Bottom: fleece-lined pants + windproof outer pants, easy to put on and take off, so you can cool down when playing in the snow. - Essentials: non-slip snow boots (icy and slippery after snow), scarf, gloves, hat set, and for those who feel cold, bring heat packs (stick on the back of your phone to prevent shutdown). - Style tip: wear bright colors (red, yellow) jackets, they look amazing in the white snow for photos! 🌟 Must-visit spots in priority order: 1. Hanpoukou: snow + sunrise + sea of clouds, the three together are breathtaking, getting up early is definitely worth it! 2. Sandie Spring Waterfall: unique ice waterfall, rare in the south, must go to the valley bottom for a close look. 3. Guling Town night view: lanterns light up after snow, warm light reflecting on snow, eating hot noodle soup brings immense happiness. 4. Ruqin Lake: a healing walk, great for kids to play in the snow, when the lake is frozen you can take stunning reflection photos. This winter, no need to envy the Northeast snow anymore～ Come to Lushan to step on snow, see frost, chase the sunrise. The southern snow country happiness is all here for you. Get your snow boots ready and join us for this icy snow date in Lushan!