First time traveling to Harbin! This guide is all you need!

Winter is the time to head to Northeast China! From Harbin’s Russian-style streets to Snow Town’s red lantern snow houses, from Changbai Mountain’s Heavenly Lake to Yanji’s Korean-style nightlife, this one article covers the essentials.

🧳Travel Essentials
👕Clothing: 300g+ down jacket, fleece-lined outdoor pants, non-slip snow boots.
🧤Warmth: touchscreen gloves, ear protection hat, foot warmers/heat packs (stock up).
👜Others: high SPF sunscreen, lip balm, 2 or more power banks, camera snow cover.

🚥Transportation Guide
✈Major transport: Fly into Harbin Taiping Airport (many hub flights), return via Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport for convenience.
🚘Local transport: Prefer car rentals or pure-play small group tours between cities; Harbin to Snow Town about 4 hours, Changbai Mountain to Yanji 1 hour.

📅Itinerary Overview
👉D1: Gather in Harbin → Central Street → St. Sophia Cathedral night shoot → Stay in Harbin
👉D2: Harbin → Yabuli Ski Resort (ski gear included) → Hot springs → Stay in Yabuli
👉D3: Yabuli-Snow Town Road → Snow Town → Xueyun Street → Stay in Snow Town
👉D4: Snow Town sunrise → Jingpo Lake winter fishing → Changbai Mountain → Stay in Erdaobaihe
👉D5: Changbai Mountain Heavenly Lake → Green Pool → Hot springs → Stay in Erdaobaihe
👉D6: Demon Realm Rime Drift → Yanji Folk Park → Yanji University Food Street → Stay in Yanji
👉D7: Yanji → Water Market → Return from Yanji/Harbin/Changchun.

🏨Accommodation Recommendations
🏡Harbin: Anning Street/Aijian Road, better value than Central Street.
🏡Snow Town: Book in advance inside the scenic area, Xueyun Holiday Hotel near main attractions.
🏡Changbai Mountain: Stay in Erdaobaihe Town on the North Slope, Songjianghe Town on the West Slope.
🏡Yanji: Around Yanji University, convenient for Korean snacks.

😋Food Recommendations
🍱Harbin: Guo Bao Rou (Old Kitchen), Madie’er popsicles.
🍱Snow Town: Iron pot stewed goose, sticky bean buns.
🍱Changbai Mountain: Ginseng chicken soup, iron pot stewed fish.
🍱Yanji: Jeonju bibimbap, Grandma Yuan’s rice rolls, grilled cold noodles.

📢Notes
✅Safety: Hold steady against strong winds at Changbai Mountain Heavenly Lake, watch your step on Snow Town’s slippery paths.
✅Avoid pitfalls: Ask prices before spending in Snow Town, buy Yanji specialties at West Market.
✅Timing: Best from December to February, check Changbai Mountain Heavenly Lake’s opening status before departure.