2025 Tongyu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

Say no to crowds! This wetland had me visiting twice in one week! Real experience sharing from Xianghai Nature Reserve— Pristine wetlands + flocks of migratory birds + very few tourists = a hidden gem destination for Labor Day! 🌟 Highlights at a glance: ✔️ Must-see red-crowned crane release show! The unforgettable sight of cranes flying overhead ✔️ At the Bird Park, you can feed peacocks up close, and swans and mandarin ducks stroll nearby ✔️ Lanhaige 360° viewing platform offers a breathtaking panorama of lakes and wetlands intertwined 📌 Family travel tips: → Set navigation to "Xianghai Nature Reserve"; the three main spots are within a 10-minute drive → Arrive early to secure a spot for the crane release; kids can stand in the front row to watch the cranes take off and land → The raptor park features eagles, vultures, and other birds of prey; allow about an hour to leisurely explore the Bird Park → Watch the sunset from Lanhaige in the evening; the wetlands bathed in sunset glow look like a dreamy oil painting 🍲 Dining tips: Local stewed fish is tender and far better than city restaurants! Recommended: Hongpeng Restaurant, and Tongyu donkey meat is worth trying~ ✨ Notes: The reserve has basic facilities, so bring your own snacks and water It’s windy and sunny, so remember sun and wind protection

Xianghai, Tongyu, Baicheng A little-known travel destination tested during May Day, guaranteed no disappointments✨ No traffic jams, no queues, pristine nature perfect for photos! Discovered this place on a business trip on the 26th, immediately brought friends back for a second visit on the 29th! Xianghai is located in Xianghai Township, Tongyu County, Baicheng City (note: not Tongliao) 💡Why choose here? ▪️ The "crane dance" is stunning! You can see flocks of red-crowned cranes flying at fixed times every day and even interact with them up close🕊️ ▪️ During the spring migratory bird season, gulls, egrets, cranes, and geese are everywhere in the wetlands, with birdsong choruses all around, fully healing! ▪️ The protected area is minimally developed, without over-commercialization, truly blending into nature 🚙 Travel Tips: ➊ Self-driving is recommended! No shuttle buses between attractions, vast area with few people and no congestion ➋ Must-visit three spots: Crane Island + Bird Park + Lanhai Pavilion, the first two have a combined ticket for 70 yuan, Lanhai Pavilion is free ➌ Crane release times: 10 AM / 3 PM (arrive early! The release moment is stunning, with 20 minutes of interaction time) ➍ Bird Park closes at 5 PM, peacocks and swans stroll nearby, great for photos! ➎ Climb to the top of Lanhai Pavilion for a panoramic view of the wetlands, watching the sunset in the evening is super romantic (be careful with hats in the wind) 🐟 Food Recommendations: Hongpeng Restaurant in Xianghai Mongolian Township’s stewed fish is a must-try! The fish meat is amazingly tender~ Tongyu donkey meat is also very famous

🌿 Escape the crowds this May Day! Venture into Jilin's "Momoge," a healing secret spot, and get up close with the red-crowned cranes✨ 🚩 Check-in location: Baicheng · Momoge National Nature Reserve 🚗 Transportation guide: Super friendly for self-driving! 4 hours direct from Changchun 🎫 Ticket info: Adults 60 RMB, those with a Jilin Health Card (can bring 2 accompanying persons) get free admission! E-category talents rejoice, finally ticket freedom~ 🗺️ Itinerary: The park is not large; if you have enough time, visit the museum first, then watch the crane taming and release, and finally enjoy the boardwalk for photos! ✅ "Science Learning" Museum Three floors in total: 1st floor for reserve science popularization, 2nd floor for bird and animal introductions, 3rd floor has a documentary viewing area, about 10 minutes, worth watching! ✅ "Crane Dance in the Blue Sky" Crane Viewing Platform Red-crowned crane taming and release at 10:30 AM / 3:00 PM! Make sure to be on time, they fly by in the blink of an eye! After release, you can feed them up close with corn kernels (5 RMB per paper cup) Red-crowned cranes have different personalities: some are shy around people, others are very active. Took the chance to touch the feathers of this national first-class protected animal—feels really nice! ✅ "Wetland Boardwalk" Reed Maze Wander through reeds taller than people! Sunlight filters through the branches creating dappled shadows! Every snap feels like a cinematic masterpiece! ⚠️ Super practical tips to avoid pitfalls 1️⃣ In the off-season, you can drive directly in; just show your ticket at the entrance! 2️⃣ When going from the museum to watch the taming and release, don’t park on the boardwalk; you can drive around the outer circle directly to save walking time! 3️⃣ Watch your kids carefully when feeding, be careful not to get pecked! 4️⃣ Bring mosquito repellent; mosquitoes here are very strong fighters! 5️⃣ No food sales in the park, prepare snacks in advance! This May Day, avoid the crowds Come to Momoge and be a "Crane Chaser" for a day~ Being embraced by nature feels truly wonderful 🥰

After an early start and finishing my ride in Zhenlai, I still had a whole morning before heading back. After a brief rest in the county, I set off for the long-awaited Momoge Wetland. Momoge Mongolian Township is located east of Zhenlai County town, adjacent to Heiyupao Town. It is said that during the Guangxu period, Mongolian herders migrated here and settled to form a village. The Momoge Wetland is a gift from the Taoer River, a tributary of the Nenjiang River, to this land. The area boasts rich vegetation types and a wide distribution of rare birds, serving as an important "flood regulator" in the Nenjiang River basin. What truly makes Zhenlai Momoge Wetland famous nationwide is this group of ethereal white creatures — the red-crowned cranes. Like the Zhalong Wetland in Qiqihar to the north, Zhenlai Momoge Wetland is also a crucial habitat for red-crowned cranes in China. The biggest attraction here is the wild red-crowned crane flight demonstrations held once each in the morning and afternoon. Among the many crane species in Momoge Wetland, the most precious is the white stork, known as the "living fossil of birds." This area hosts the largest white stork migration group discovered in China to date. Every spring and autumn, the spectacular scenes of large flocks of red-crowned cranes migrating attract countless photography enthusiasts.

This autumn, Momoge and Xianghai, two major internationally important wetlands in our province, have welcomed the peak of migratory bird migration, with a cumulative total of over 250,000 migratory birds recorded, presenting an ecological spectacle of tens of thousands of birds soaring. Momoge Wetland is a core stopover site for Siberian Cranes, with over 150,000 waterbirds recorded, including over 1,900 Siberian Cranes, hosting over 50% of the global Siberian Crane stopover population. This autumn, the Siberian Crane population has significantly increased compared to spring. Here, rivers, lakes, and marshes crisscross, and vegetation is abundant, providing Siberian Cranes with bulrush rhizomes, and also supplying Oriental Storks and other bird species with ample food such as fish, shrimp, and crabs. This spring, Siberian Cranes stopped here for up to 61 days, proving the continuous optimization of the wetland's habitat environment. Xianghai Wetland is equally bustling, with over 100,000 waterbirds arriving successively. This autumn, the number of Siberian Cranes reached 3,000, White-naped Cranes over 600, Common Cranes over 3,000, and geese and other anseriformes migratory birds are flocking together. Here, through measures such as comprehensive wetland management, the area of shoals and marshes suitable for wading birds to inhabit has been restored to over 40,000 hectares. Come quickly to these two major wetlands and experience the ecological charm of tens of thousands of birds dancing!

Xianghai National Nature Reserve in Baicheng is truly a hidden paradise in the northeastern wetlands! As soon as you step in, you'll be captivated by the lush greenery of the Horqin Grassland and the shimmering lakes. Covering a vast area of 106,700 hectares, the reserve features 22 large marshes formed by the intertwining of the Huolin River, Emutai River, and Taoer River. The air is so fresh that every breath feels like it purifies your soul! 🌿😮💨 In summer, you can stroll along the ecological wooden walkways, watching red-crowned cranes gracefully dance, white-tailed eagles soar in the blue sky, lotus flowers bloom, and water birds play. You can even go boating on the lakes—it's incredibly therapeutic! In autumn, the reeds turn golden, and the grassland scenery looks like a painting. From afar, rows of Mongolian yellow elms stand tall, creating a romantic atmosphere. In winter, the reserve transforms into a snowy wonderland with frost-covered trees, making you feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale! ❄️🦩 Designated as a national-level wetland of global importance in 1986, the reserve has preserved its pristine ecology exceptionally well. It features an education center and bird-watching towers where you can learn about the migration stories of rare birds, offering a rich cultural experience! Tickets cost just a few dozen yuan, and the reserve is located in Da'an District, Baicheng City, Jilin Province (about an hour's drive from Baicheng city center). Parking spaces and dining options are readily available, making it super convenient. 🌟 Whether you're bringing kids to watch birds or embarking on a self-driving adventure, the experience is equally enjoyable. With plenty of photo opportunities and relaxing moments, this place is highly recommended for a visit. It's undoubtedly Baicheng's hidden ecological treasure that's worth every penny! 🥰

🌿 Baicheng, Jilin | 3 Days 2 Nights Nanny-Level Guide! Wetlands, grasslands, bird paradise, unlock the northern secret realm with one click✨ “You must visit Baicheng! 🦢 Watch red-crowned cranes dance in the wetlands, 🌾 stroll through the sunset glow of the Horqin Grassland, 🌊 boat on the blue waves of Nenjiang Bay, and feel the poetry and wildness of the ‘bird paradise’!” 📅 【Itinerary】 💎Day 1: Wetland Exploration + Mongolian Style Morning: Xianghai National Nature Reserve 🕊️ “Home of the Cranes”｜Six species of cranes worldwide inhabit here, take a boat through the reed maze, capture the red-crowned cranes’ courtship dance! 📸 Photo tips: early morning mist + backlit crane shadows, drone aerial shots of the wetland panorama｜💰Ticket 60 RMB Noon: Mongolian Hand-Held Meat Feast 🍖 Freshly cooked lamb at a herder’s home, dipped in wild chive flower sauce + garlic paste, paired with blood sausage and sauerkraut, 60 RMB per person for a hearty grassland meal Afternoon: Chaganhaote Tourism Resort 🏹 Horseback archery + Mongolian yurt afternoon tea, wind farm group industrial style photo shoot, bonfire party under the starry sky at dusk Evening: Stay at Huanlangyu Xianghai Homestay 🔥 Heated kang bed + wetland starry sky, experience grass weaving DIY and parent-child study activities｜150 RMB per person including breakfast 💎Day 2: Nenjiang Adventure + Red Memories Morning: Nenjiang Bay National Wetland Park 🌊 “The First Bay of Thousand-Mile Nenjiang”｜Speedboat surfing + Liao Emperor Fish Viewing Platform, autumn colorful forest reflected on the river like an oil painting Noon: Whole Fish Feast (Lao Kanzi Pier) 🐟 River water stewed river fish + fried boat nail fish, fish soup with rice so fresh you’ll lick the bowl｜50 RMB per person Afternoon: Former Site of the CPC Liaoning-Jilin Provincial Committee 🏛️ The best-preserved Liberation War site in Northeast China, hear Ji Yinglin’s entrepreneurial story, a must for red education Dusk: Aoniu Mountain Sunset 🌄 Climb to the top to overlook the forest dyed in autumn colors, maple leaves + wind turbines in one frame, shoot a post-apocalyptic style blockbuster 💎Day 3: Grassland Pastoral Song + Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Morning: Momoge National Nature Reserve 🦩 “Hometown of the White Crane”｜95% of the world’s white cranes stop here, walk the boardwalk listening to bird calls, explore the ancient Liao Dynasty city Noon: Taonan Heishui Watermelon Feast 🍉 Geographical indication product! Sweet sandy flesh, paired with steamed donkey meat dumplings, a summer exclusive delicacy Afternoon: Mobao Garden Calligraphy Study 🖌️ Thousands of famous inscriptions + Jingdezhen ceramics exhibition, DIY brush calligraphy copybook as a souvenir Before Departure: Niuxintao Moisturizing Wetland River Crab 🦀 Full roe and fat for Mid-Autumn Festival, buy vacuum-packed to mail home｜💰80 RMB per jin 📸 【Photo Tips】Blow up your social circle Xianghai Wetland: cranes flying + backlit reeds, forest style filter Chaganhaote: Mongolian robe + wind farm background, cyber grassland style Nenjiang Bay: sunset river + fishing boats singing at dusk, cinematic horizontal composition Aoniu Mountain: drone aerial shot of maple leaves colliding with wind turbines 🚗 【Transportation Tips】 ▪️ Self-drive: Changchun → Baicheng about 3.5 hours, wetland scenic area recommends charter car (300 RMB/day) ▪️ High-speed rail: get off at Baicheng Station, taxi to city attractions (starting fare 6 RMB) 🍜 【Food Highlights and Warnings】 ✅ Must-eat: Xianghai Whole Fish Feast (fried fish scales must order) Chaganhaote Roasted Whole Lamb (reservation required) Taonan Donkey Meat Steamed Dumplings (thin skin, large filling) 🚫 Avoid: Be cautious buying “wild fish” in scenic spots, choose direct fishery sales Dog meat restaurants (some tourists should be cautious) “When the crane’s call breaks through the morning mist of the wetlands, When the bonfire lights up the starry sky of the Mongolian yurt, The romance of this city is freer than the wings of migratory birds.” #BaichengTravel #WetlandBirdwatching #HorqinGrassland #NortheastHiddenGems #TravelPhotography

🌿 Baicheng, Jilin | 8 Hidden Gems Loved by Locals! Wetlands, Grasslands, Migratory Bird Paradise – Unlock the Secrets of Northern China in One Click ✨ 🌟 【Must-Visit Attractions】Soul-Stirring Baicheng 1️⃣ Xianghai National Nature Reserve Tongyu County｜🕊️ "Home of Cranes" 6 out of the world’s 15 crane species can be found here! Witness the courtship dances of red-crowned cranes in spring and the grand migration of thousands of birds in autumn. Cruise through the reed maze and spot elegant storks like the white stork and oriental white stork. 📸 Photo Tips: Morning mist + backlit crane silhouettes, drone shots of wetland panoramas｜💰 Ticket: 60 RMB 2️⃣ Momoge National Nature Reserve Zhenlai County｜🦩 "Hometown of Siberian Cranes" 90% of the world’s Siberian cranes pass through here! Hundreds rest here during spring and autumn. Stroll along the boardwalk, listen to birdsong, and explore the ruins of an ancient Liao Dynasty city. 💡 Hidden Experience: Watch the sunrise from a birdwatching tower and capture cranes taking flight. 3️⃣ Nenjiang Bay National Wetland Park Da'an City｜🌊 "Little Jiangnan of Northeast China" A natural harbor along the Nen River, beautiful year-round! Enjoy willow waves in spring, boating in summer, red leaves in autumn, and ice fishing in winter. Dine at riverside restaurants for "stewed river fish." 🚣♂️ Must-Do: Speedboat rides + beach camping｜💰 Free 🌿 【Hidden Gems】Locals’ Secret Spots 4️⃣ Chaganhot Tourism Resort Tao'er River｜🏹 Grassland + Wind Farm Wonders Horseback riding, archery, stargazing in yurts, and hiking up Banla Mountain for winding river views. Capture industrial-style photos against wind turbines. 5️⃣ Xinglongshan Mongolian Elm Scenic Area Tongyu County｜🌳 Asia’s Largest Mongolian Elm Forest Home to rare, uniquely shaped elm trees, surrounded by the picturesque Huolin River. A summer retreat and autumn golden paradise. 6️⃣ Moon Lake (Salanachi) Da'an City｜🌙 "Pearl of the Grassland" A crescent-shaped lake, once a Liao Dynasty emperor’s hunting ground. Now, enjoy boating, birdwatching, and winter ice fishing. 📸 【Photo Guide】Instagram-Worthy Shots Xianghai Wetland: Flying cranes + backlit reeds, forest filter Momoge Boardwalk: Crane silhouettes + water reflections, telephoto compression Nenjiang Bay: Sunset on the river + fishing boats, cinematic wide shots Chaganhot: Mongolian robes + wind farm backdrop, cyber-grassland vibe 🚗 【Travel Tips】 ▪️ Self-Drive: ~3.5 hours from Changchun to Baicheng; most wetlands require chartered cars. ▪️ High-Speed Rail: Alight at Baicheng Station, taxi to downtown (starting fare: 6 RMB). ▪️ Best Seasons: Birdwatching: April–June (breeding), September–November (migration) Grassland: July–August (lush greenery) Winter: December–February (ice fishing + lanterns) #BaichengTravel #WetlandBirding #HorqinGrassland #NortheastHiddenGems #TravelPhotography