3 Days 2 Nights Family Trip to Changbaishan Wanda Resort

Just returned from a refreshing 5-day summer getaway at Changbaishan. Initially, the weather forecast showed daily rain which almost made us cancel, but we ended up having clear skies for at least half of each day.

We stayed at The Westin this time. While we were nervous after reading mixed reviews about all Wanda hotels beforehand, our family was thoroughly satisfied after two nights.
▪ The king bed (2m wide) was spacious enough for our family of three. Though the hardware shows its age, it's well-maintained. I particularly loved the bathroom's excellent anti-slip design - perfect for bathing our toddler without worry.
▪ The hotel features a clean swimming pool, a small children's play area, and organized family activities - great options for rainy days.
▪ Two adorable Shiba Inus live at the hotel. The gentle yellow one became our child Niu Niu's favorite - her first dog-walking experience topped her list of favorite activities during our stay.
▪ Perched halfway up the mountain, the hotel offers great views. It's a 10-minute walk to the town center (nothing for Beijingers!), 5 minutes to Acorn Club, and a short taxi ride (¥10 anywhere in the resort) to Water Park. Food delivery is quick, and most restaurants offer shuttle service.

▪ Hotel Benefits:
1️⃣ Cable Car: Rode it twice - Niu Niu's 2nd favorite activity. Stunning mountain views, and we even saw paragliders that fascinated her.
2️⃣ Wakoo Lake Boating: Multiple boat options. Surprisingly delightful on sunny days with beautiful scenery (though the glass boat couldn't fit three). Queues can happen, but the shaded waiting area with climbing structures makes it pleasant.
3️⃣ Alpine Slide/Coaster: Skipped due to height restrictions - next time!
4️⃣ Water Park: Visited during heavy rain. Crowded at the wave pool but empty at slides and lazy river. Our toddler preferred the hotel pool.
5️⃣ Hot Springs: Didn't visit.
6️⃣ Acorn Club (paid activities):
- Firefly Watching: Best at night, unaffected by rain. Magical first-time experience.
- Uncle Pinecone's Adventure: Recommended for ages 4+, but our 2.5-year-old managed. Nature exploration in the woods - more appealing to older kids.
7️⃣ Ginseng Digging, Cycling, Hiking: Better for older children - future plans.

We later spent two days in Erdaobaihe Town. Overall, Changbaishan is highly recommended for summer family trips - cool weather with plenty of kid-friendly activities. With the upcoming Beijing-West Slope high-speed rail (just 4 hours!), we'll definitely return for more summer escapes!