Harbin will blow up your social media! A nanny-level guide, save it quickly!

This winter, you must take a trip to Northeast China!
Bite into a Madieer ice pop on the streets of Harbin
Stay in the fairy-tale snow mushroom houses and cozy kang beds in Snow Town
Make a pure wish about Heaven Lake at the top of Changbai Mountain
Then spend a day as a runaway "Korean Ethnic Princess" in Yanji
This guide will help you explore the North without regrets!

🧳Travel Essentials
· Core Warmth: Thick down jacket, waterproof snow boots, wool socks, touchscreen gloves, ear-protecting Lei Feng hat.
· Life-saving Gear: Heat packs (stick on phone and abdomen), foot warmers, thermos. Phones drain battery quickly in cold, always carry a power bank.
· Skincare Key: Oily cream, lip balm, sunscreen (UV rays are super strong on snow!).
· Photo Buff: Light-colored outfits, colorful accessories, remember to put a frostproof cover on your phone.

🚥Transportation Guide
✈️Main Transport: It’s recommended to fly directly to Harbin and return from Yanji to avoid backtracking.
🚘Route by Car Rental: Harbin → Snow Town (about 5h) → Changbai Mountain (about 5h) → Yanji (about 2h).
✨Car Rental TIPS:
✅The Snow Town to Changbai Mountain section is mostly mountain roads; be sure to find a reputable fleet with snow tires for safety first.
✅Reference price: 5-seat SUV 600-800 RMB/day
✅Book in advance through official travel agencies or platforms to avoid unlicensed “black cars.”

📅Itinerary Overview
👉D1: Gather in Harbin → Central Street → Saint Sophia Cathedral → Stay in Harbin
👉D2: Harbin → Yabuli Ski Resort → 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 Heaven Lake → Green Pool → Hot Springs → Stay in Erdaobaihe
👉D6: Demon Realm Rafting → Yanji Folk Culture Park → Popular Bullet Screen Wall → Stay in Yanji
👉D7: Yanji → Water Market → Return from Yanji/Harbin/Changchun

🏨Accommodation Recommendations
🏡Harbin: Stay near Central Street, with European-style buildings right outside your window and within walking distance to Saint Sophia Cathedral.
🏡Snow Town: Be sure to book in advance to experience the kang bed homestay! Warm yellow lights shining through snow windows create a super healing atmosphere.
🏡Changbai Mountain: Recommended hot spring hotels in Erdaobaihe Town, where you can enjoy the joy of ice and fire.
🏡Yanji: Choose near Yanbian University, with the popular bullet screen wall downstairs and a cluster of delicious food nearby.

🍜Food List
🍱Harbin: Old Chef’s Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork), Madieer ice pops, Shanhetun iron pot stew.
🍱Snow Town: Iron pot stewed goose, small dumb chicken stewed with mushrooms, frozen persimmons.
🍱Changbai Mountain: Must-try hot spring boiled eggs, forest wild vegetable hot pot.
🍱Yanji: Rice cake, Mingyue soup rice, Jinli skewer shop, Shunji cold noodles.

⚠️Hard-earned Experience
1️⃣Snow Town accommodations are very popular; it’s recommended to book 30 days in advance, prices may soar during holidays.
2️⃣Whether Changbai Mountain Heaven Lake is open depends entirely on the weather; be sure to check the official website before traveling.
3️⃣Always ask for prices before any spending, especially dining, to avoid hidden costs.
4️⃣When taking Korean ethnic photos in Yanji, be sure to check the photographer’s sample photos in advance and ask if there are extra charges for costumes and makeup.
5️⃣Phones easily shut down outdoors due to low temperatures; besides using heat packs, keep them close to your body. Before bringing cameras indoors from outside, it’s best to put them in plastic bags to prevent condensation.