Complete Winter Rime Island Guide

Jilin City 5 Days 4 Nights Travel Guide (Budget 7000 RMB)
Theme: Frozen Snow Fantasy + Rime Wonderland + Korean Ethnic Style
Suitable for: Couples / Families / Photography Enthusiasts
Recommended Season: Winter (December-February) for rime viewing, Summer (June-August) for cooling off

📅 Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Arrive in Jilin City → Night view by Songhua River
Day 2: Rime Island → Wula Street Manchu Town → Hantun Village
Day 3: Beidahu Ski Resort (or Vanke Songhua Lake Resort)
Day 4: Jilin City Museum → Beishan Park → Korean Ethnic Cuisine Experience
Day 5: Zhuque Mountain or Longtan Mountain → Return trip

💰 Budget Allocation (for 2 people)

| Item | Cost (RMB) | Notes |
|----------------|------------|----------------------------------------|
| Airfare/Train | 2000-3000 | Round trip Beijing/Shanghai approx. 1000-1500 RMB/person |
| Accommodation | 1200-1600 | 4 nights mid-to-high-end hotel/B&B (300-400 RMB/night) |
| Food | 800-1000 | Northeast Chinese cuisine + Korean ethnic specialties |
| Tickets/Activities | 1000-1200 | Rime Island, ski resort, museum, etc. |
| Transport/Others | 500-800 | Car rental/taxi + souvenirs |
| Total | 5500-7000 | Flexible adjustments to control budget |

📍 Detailed Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Jilin City, initial exploration of Songhua River

Morning: Arrive in Jilin City by high-speed train or plane (morning flights recommended).
Afternoon: Check into hotel (recommended Shimao Wanjin Hotel or Rime Hotel, river view room about 350 RMB/night).
Evening: Stroll along Songhua River, enjoy the night light show (free), ice and snow sculptures by the river (winter).
Dinner: Lao Bai Meat Restaurant (must-try white meat blood sausage, Guo Bao Rou), about 60 RMB per person.

Day 2: Rime Island + Manchu Culture Experience

6:30 AM: Private car to Rime Island (1 hour from city, shared ride about 50 RMB/person, entrance fee 80 RMB).

📸 Photography Tips: Best rime viewing time 7:00-9:00 AM, bring a tripod for morning mist shots.

Noon: On the way back, visit Wula Street Manchu Town, try Manchu hotpot (recommended Feng Ji Yuan, about 80 RMB/person).
Afternoon: Visit Hantun Village (opposite side of Rime Island), experience Northeast kang bed-stove homestay (about 200 RMB/night).
Evening: Eat iron pot stewed goose at the homestay, drink local small-batch liquor.

Day 3: Skiing Fun Day

All day: Choose one ski resort (private car or shuttle):

Beidahu Ski Resort (many advanced slopes, ticket + gear about 400 RMB/person).
Vanke Songhua Lake Resort (suitable for beginners, beautiful scenery, similar cost).

Lunch: Simple meal at ski resort restaurant (about 50 RMB/person).
Evening: Return to city, enjoy Shengdequan Hot Springs (128 RMB/person, relieves ski fatigue).

Day 4: Cultural Exploration + Food Tour

Morning: Visit Jilin City Museum (free, meteorite exhibition).
Noon: Korean cold noodles feast (recommended Service Building Yanji Cold Noodles, about 30 RMB/person).
Afternoon: Climb Beishan Park (free), overlook city panorama.
Dinner: Dapu Family BBQ (Korean ethnic flavor, about 70 RMB/person).

Day 5: Nature Hiking + Return

Morning: Choose a mountain hike:

Zhuque Mountain (winter snow hiking, entrance 30 RMB).
Longtan Mountain (free, overlooks Songhua River).

Noon: Eat Jianfen (Jilin specialty snack, about 15 RMB/person) in the city.
Afternoon: Buy souvenirs before departure (ginseng, wood ear mushrooms, etc., budget 200 RMB).

❄️ Winter Special Tips

Warmth: Prepare down jacket, snow boots, heat packs for -20℃.
Rime probability: Check weather in advance; low temperature (below -15℃) + no wind + sunny days favor rime formation.
Ski gear: Rental available for ski suits (about 100 RMB/set), bring your own gloves and hats.

🍜 Must-Try Foods

Northeast Cuisine: Guo Bao Rou, Sauerkraut with Pork, Iron Pot Stew
Korean Ethnic Foods: Cold Noodles, Rice Cake, Spicy Kimchi, Rice Sausage
Snacks: Jianfen, Grilled Cold Noodles, Candied Hawthorn on a Stick