Day 1 Various locations → → Changchun ★ Gathering day
All day
Kind tips:
Changchun Longjia Airport is approximately 35 km from the city center. You can take the airport bus, intercity high-speed rail, or taxi to the meeting hotel (24-hour taxi service, safe and secure)
Day 2 Changchun → Sanjiaolong Bay → Diaoshuihu Waterfall → Erdaobaihe Town
·morning
After breakfast, depart for Jilin Longwan National Forest Park. Located in the middle section of the Longgang Mountains within the Changbai Mountain Range, this area boasts the densest concentration of volcanic lakes in my country, each with its own unique beauty. The park boasts not only volcanic lakes but also numerous cascading springs and waterfalls, with Diaoshuihu Waterfall being particularly stunning.
Our first stop of the morning is Triangle Dragon Bay, a 97-meter-deep contiguous crater lake formed approximately 600,000 to 1,000,000 years ago by two or more volcanic eruptions. It's also a Maar lake. Named for its triangular shape, the bay boasts a winding coastline, steep cliffs and dramatic peaks, and a deep, emerald green water. A small island looms in the center, like a solitary rock. Amidst the white clouds and emerald waters, the ecological wonders of Triangle Dragon Bay, such as the Reflecting Cloud Cliff, the Three Swords Peak, and the White Dragon Spring, create a picturesque scene, making it the most scenic of all dragon bays.
·afternoon
After lunch, we'll visit the Diaoshuihu Waterfall, nestled between a vibrant forest cliff face, resembling an inverted kettle spouting sweet rain, hence its nickname. The water, originating from a mineral spring 2,600 meters below the surface, maintains a constant temperature of 7°C. Standing before the falls and watching the mist gushing forth is a breathtaking sight. After our enjoyable visit, we'll transfer to Erdaobaihe Town for overnight stay.
Day 3 Erdaobaihe Town → Changbai Mountain North Slope (full day tour) → Songjianghe Town
All day
After breakfast, we will head to the beautiful and mysterious Changbai Mountain, also known as Baitou Mountain, which means "staying together until we grow old together". It is a dormant volcano on the China-North Korea border.
China-TravelNote arranged a trip to the North Slope of Changbai Mountain. We first took a scenic shuttle bus to the Tianchi Transfer Station, then transferred to the Tianchi Station Bus (80 yuan/person, inclusive of fees) to reach the main peak of Tianchi Lake. We admired the mysterious Tianchi Lake and, with luck, the magnificent scenery beneath the blue sky and white clouds!
After visiting Tianchi Lake, we'll head to Luyuantan, where the emerald green waters are reminiscent of those in Jiuzhaigou. On one side, nestled among lush trees, a stream cascades down the cliffs into a small waterfall, cascading directly into the deep, lush green pool—a must-see photo opportunity! Then, we'll take a scenic shuttle bus to Changbai Mountain Waterfall, home to the renowned "Julong Hot Springs." Whether winter or summer, the hot springs are always steaming and shrouded in mist! Continue to the bottom to reach the world's largest crater lake waterfall. Finally, we'll explore the underground forest, immersing ourselves in the wonders and unique charm of nature.
After having fun, we will go down the mountain to Songjianghe Town. Tonight we will stay at a hot spring resort hotel (please bring your own swimsuit) where tourists can relax in the warm spring water.
Updated on September 22nd: Due to changes in the Changbai Mountain Scenic Area's ticket policy, the Northeast Autumn Colors Changbai Mountain tickets for the 9.29, 9.30, 10.1 and 10.2 batches are sold out. Currently, you can only waitlist. You may not be able to get a spot on the waitlist or your schedule may be different from that of the large group. If you are sure there is no problem, you can pay.
Kind tips:
1. The weather at Changbai Mountain's main peak is unpredictable (tourists are advised to remain calm). Changes to the day's operations will be subject to the scenic area's announcements or staff notifications. If the main peak is closed due to weather and we are unable to visit Tianchi, we will continue to visit other attractions within the scenic area as normal. We appreciate your understanding.
2. If the Changbai Mountain North Slope Scenic Area is closed due to weather conditions, the itinerary will be adjusted to visit the nearby Pumice Forest and Edelweiss Reindeer Park.
3. Tonight, stay at the Songjianghe Town Hot Spring Hotel. Tourists can bring their swimsuits and take a hot spring bath.
Day 4 Songjianghe Town → Jinjiang Wooden House Village → Ginseng Forest Hike → Tonghua
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for Jinjiang Wooden House Village, the only remaining extant Manchu wooden house complex in Northeast China and the Changbai Mountain area. The village is home to over twenty households, most of which have well-preserved wooden houses. The well-organized layout of the wooden houses, set against the vibrant autumn colors, creates a scene reminiscent of an oil painting. We'll also experience Northeastern folk customs like cutting paper-cuts.
Afterward, we'll journey to the primeval forest for a fascinating autumn ginseng hike. We've invited a local expert guide, "Lao Batou," a veteran of ginseng harvesting for ten years, to lead us on a fascinating "ginseng-hunting journey." In the cozy shade of the forest, we'll follow the guide deep into the forest, home to birds and insects. Along the way, our guide will introduce us to rare local medicinal herbs like Gastrodia elata, Chuanlonggu, and Diling. With some luck, we might even discover wild ginseng and experience the rituals of calling out to the mountain, locking the ginseng, making ginseng buns, and cutting the ginseng head, truly experiencing the joy of jungle exploration.
After having fun, we will go to Tonghua City to stay overnight.
Kind tips:
1. The ginseng forest hike lasts about 2-3 hours. Please wear waterproof outdoor shoes and long-sleeved shirts and trousers. The hiking experience is greatly affected by the weather.
Day 5 Tonghua → Laobiangou → Benxi Xiaoshi
All day
After breakfast, we will set off and cross the most beautiful autumn highway in Liaodong (China Maple Leaf Avenue): Benhuan Highway. Wild maple trees are spread on both sides of the highway. The road is winding and you can enjoy different fiery red autumn colors from every angle.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Laobiangou, a hidden gem in Liaodong for autumn viewing. Compared to the renowned Guanmen Mountain, this spot boasts fewer visitors. The maple forests are ablaze, a vibrant spectacle. The leaves here range from emerald green to golden yellow, fiery red to rosy crimson. Walking through the mountain valleys feels like stepping into a kingdom of color. China-TravelNote has allocated ample time for writing. After enjoying the sights, we headed to the hotel for a rest. Benxi's small market is renowned throughout China for its mutton soup, so tourists are encouraged to meet up for a stroll and a meal.
Kind tips:
1. The maple leaf viewing season in Laobiangou is generally from the end of September to mid-October. If due to weather reasons, the maple leaf index reported by the official self-media of the [Benxi Maple Leaf Index Release Platform] public account does not reach "Level II" or above, we will adjust the tour to [Huanren Wunv Mountain].
Day 6 Benxi Small Town → Panjin Red Beach → Panjin
All day
After breakfast, depart for Panjin's Red Beach National Scenic Corridor. Located at the mouth of the Liaohe River, it boasts one of the world's most well-preserved natural red beaches. Featuring the world's rare and renowned red beach, the vast coastal mudflats seamlessly blend natural and cultural landscapes, presenting a magnificent and beautiful scene.
After the tour, return to Panjin city to check in and rest. September and October are also the season for Panjin rice field crabs. Because they grow in saline-alkali rice paddies, their meat is firmer and more delicious. Tourists can also explore on their own in the evening.
Departure on the day:
1. You are expected to arrive in Panjin City at 6:00 PM on the same day. There are high-speed trains/bullet trains from Panjin Station to Beijing, Shenyang, Dalian, Yingkou, and other cities. Transfer flights are available through these areas. We recommend booking a same-day ticket for a train departing after 7:00 PM.
2. If you are leaving the group on the same day, please note "Not staying in Panjin" when placing an order
Day 7 Panjin City → Shenyang Airport (★ Disbandment Day)
All day
After breakfast, we will depart for Shenyang Taoxian Airport and disband. We are expected to arrive at the airport at 11:30, thus ending our pleasant autumn viewing trip.
Return trip tips:
1. Return to Shenyang Airport: Depart in the morning with the group bus, expected arrival time is 11:30, it is recommended to book a flight after 13:30;
2. The tour ends at Shenyang Taoxian Airport on the same day. If you need to go to the city center to transfer to the high-speed rail or continue sightseeing, you can take the airport bus. The airport has direct links to Shenyang Railway Station (approximately 1 hour) / Shenyang North Railway Station (approximately 1 hour) / Shenyang South Railway Station (approximately 30 minutes);
3. Return from Yingkou Airport: Yingkou Airport has direct flights to Shanghai/Nanjing. You can go to the airport on your own according to your flight schedule (the hotel is about 100km from the airport, and you can take a 30-minute high-speed train from Panjin to Yingkou).
4. Return to Dalian Airport: There are many direct flights from Dalian to major domestic cities. On the same day, you can take the bullet train/high-speed rail from Panjin (about 1.5 hours) according to your flight schedule to transfer to Dalian.
