Harbin Snow Season｜A Romantic Date with Ice and Light

For those planning to visit Harbin, Yabuli, Snow Town, Changbai Mountain, and Yanji, this super detailed guide is a must-save! From gear to food and avoiding pitfalls, everything is covered so even beginners can easily dive in～

🧳Travel Essentials
🧥Clothing: Quick-dry clothes + fleece + long down jacket, waterproof snow boots with heated insoles, waterproof touchscreen gloves, Lei Feng hat (ear and face protection).
👓Small items: Heat packs (for phone/shoes), 20,000mAh power bank, sunglasses, sunscreen.
👜Others: High-moisture cream, lip balm, stomach medicine, frostbite ointment, swimsuit for hot springs.

🚥Transportation Guide
✈Major transport: Fly to Harbin Taiping Airport or Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport; for trains, prioritize Harbin Station (close to Central Street).
🚘Intercity transport: From Harbin to Yabuli, Snow Town, Changbai Mountain, and Yanji, it’s recommended to charter a car or join a pure-play small group for safer driving on snowy roads.
🚍Within scenic areas: Changbai Mountain requires taking an eco-friendly bus; separate tickets needed for Tianchi Lake viewing.

📅Itinerary Overview
👉D1: Gather in Harbin → Central Street → Saint Sophia Cathedral → Stay in Harbin
👉D2: Harbin → Yabuli Skiing → Horse-drawn sled → Stay in Yabuli
👉D3: Yaxue Highway → Datudingzi Mountain → Ice and Snow Gallery → Stay in Snow Town
👉D4: Snow Town → Xueyun Street → Jingpo Lake Winter Fishing → Stay in Erdaobaihe
👉D5: Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake → Green Pool → Hot Springs → Stay in Erdaobaihe
👉D6: Demon Realm Rafting → Yanji Folk Culture Park → Popular Barrage Snatching → Stay in Yanji
👉D7: Yanji → Water Market → Return from Yanji/Harbin/Changchun

🏨Accommodation Recommendations
🏡Harbin: Hotels with floor heating near Central Street (close to Saint Sophia Cathedral).
🏡Yabuli: Ski resort hot spring hotels (including hot spring tickets, convenient for skiing).
🏡Snow Town: Officially certified warm kang (heated brick bed) homestays on Xueyun Street (no second entry fee).
🏡Changbai Mountain: Hot spring hotels in Erdaobaihe Town (near North Slope, priority hot spring access in rooms).
🏡Yanji: Homestays or hotels near Yanji University (5-minute walk to the popular mural wall).

😋Food Recommendations
🍜Harbin: Old Chef’s Guobaorou (crispy sweet and sour pork), Qiulin Red Sausage, Tadaosi Borscht.
🍜Yabuli/Snow Town: Iron pot stewed goose, sticky bean buns, frozen pears (with quick peeling tips).
🍜Changbai Mountain: Hot spring boiled eggs, Mom’s Diner stir-fry, Xiangtian Ge iron pot stew.
🍜Yanji: Wu’s Rice Wraps, Shunji Cold Noodles, Jinli Skewer BBQ, paired with Qixingbucha rice wine.

📢Notes
✅Attach heat packs to electronic devices, carry a small amount of cash in case phones shut down.
✅Snow Town prices are high, bring your own snacks; check real-time weather before heading to Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake and rime rafting.
✅Rent Korean hanbok in Yanji from alley shops, remember to bargain when buying specialties; Northeast Chinese dishes are large portions, order “N-1” dishes for a table.