Mudanjiang was tough but worth it, sisters planning to go, be cautious

Dear friends! In Mudanjiang, I visited Jingpo Lake, devoured Guobaorou, and climbed a volcanic crater. Three days were both thrilling and exhausting. Although I encountered some pitfalls, I still want to go again?! This "Little Jiangnan of Northeast China" hides surprises and some traps. Here's a guide to help you avoid the pitfalls and find the gems🌊

Reasons to Recommend

Who doesn't love 22°C summer with lake and mountain scenery?! But the attractions are far apart (taxi fares add up)🚗 Luckily, you can enjoy an 8 yuan kvass, a 30 yuan iron pot stew feast, freely visit Jiangbin Park, and even see wooden houses in Snow Town (yes, you can visit in summer too). Perfect for those seeking cool escapes and nature lovers!

Transportation Guide

✈️ Plane: From Mudanjiang Hailang Airport, a taxi to downtown takes 20 minutes (30 yuan), or take the airport shuttle bus for 5 yuan direct
🚄 High-speed rail: Mudanjiang Station is a 10-minute walk to downtown. Use Alipay to get the "Heilongjiang Transportation Code" for convenience
🚌 Local transport: Recommend chartering a car (200 yuan/day). Take the tourist shuttle to Jingpo Lake for 30 yuan per person. The sightseeing bus inside the park costs 50 yuan and is a must-buy.

Itinerary

Day 1: Jingpo Lake - Diaoshuilou Waterfall
Morning: Take a boat on Jingpo Lake (80 yuan) to see "China's largest alpine barrier lake," with water as blue as a gem💎
Noon: Enjoy a Jingpo Lake fish feast, freshly caught crucian carp stewed with tofu, 25 yuan per serving, incredibly fresh
Afternoon: Watch the Diaoshuilou Waterfall diving show (starts at 2:00 PM sharp), the mist splashes on you and feels super cool
Evening: Stay at a lakeside guesthouse, share a roasted whole lamb (about 50 yuan per person), and listen to the owner’s stories about the Chuangguandong migration

Day 2: Volcanic Crater Forest Park - Snow Town
Morning: Explore the volcanic crater, go underground in the forest, see thousand-year-old trees growing from volcanic ash, entrance fee 60 yuan🌳
Noon: Eat iron pot stewed goose with pancakes dipped in the broth, 40 yuan per pot enough for 3 people to be full
Afternoon: Visit Snow Town to see the "summer fairy tale," wooden houses with green lawns, fewer people, peaceful and great for photos🏡
Evening: Stay at a Snow Town guesthouse, experience the kang bed-stove, buy a bag of frozen pears for 10 yuan to snack on while chatting

Day 3: Memorial Hall of the Eight Heroines - Return
Morning: Visit the memorial hall to learn about revolutionary martyrs, free admission and educational🖼️
Noon: Eat Guobaorou, crispy outside, tender inside, coated with sweet and sour sauce, 20 yuan per serving, perfect with rice
Afternoon: Buy Qiulin red sausages and Russian chocolates as souvenirs

Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions

1. Diaoshuilou Waterfall at Jingpo Lake: "China's largest waterfall," the diving show is stunning, even more spectacular during the rainy season💦

2. Volcanic Crater Underground Forest: "Natural volcanic museum," explore the crater and forest sea, perfect for curiosity seekers🌲

3. Snow Town (summer): Less crowded than winter! Wooden houses and fence walls create a fairy tale vibe, no freezing, very comfortable🏠

4. Jiangbin Park: Free! Watch the sunset by the Mudanjiang River, the river breeze is very pleasant, a local favorite for walks and gatherings🌇

5. Weihushan Film City: Filming location of "Forest Sea Snow Plain," dress as bandits for photos (10 yuan per set), very immersive🎬

Food Recommendations

1. Guobaorou: 20 yuan per serving, the soul of Northeast China! Crispy outside, tender inside, coated with sweet and sour sauce, appetizing and perfect with rice🍖

2. Iron Pot Stewed Goose: 40 yuan per pot, pancakes soak up the broth, goose meat stewed until tender, even better in winter but delicious now too🦢

3. Jingpo Lake Fish Feast: 25 yuan per serving, freshly caught fish steamed for ultimate freshness, few bones and tender meat, perfect with corn cakes🐟

4. Kvass: 8 yuan per bottle, a fermented bread drink with a hint of alcohol, great for cutting grease🥤

5. Frozen Pears: 5 yuan per bag, black pears frozen hard then melting sweetly, like a slushie in summer🍐

6. Sticky Bean Buns: 3 yuan each, yellow cornmeal buns with red bean paste, steamed soft, dipping in sugar is very comforting🍘

Accommodation Recommendations

1. Jingpo Lake Guesthouse: 90 yuan per person, 5-minute walk to the lake, includes breakfast with corn porridge, owner can arrange fishing boats🚢

2. City Hotels: Standard rooms from 100 yuan, close to food streets, convenient for Guobaorou, includes parking🅿️

3. Snow Town Inn: 80 yuan per person, kang bed-stove experience is fun, the landlady’s sauerkraut dumplings are very fragrant🥟

Tips

1. Don’t take a taxi alone! Taxi from Mudanjiang to Jingpo Lake costs 150 yuan, carpooling is 30 yuan per person and more cost-effective🚗

2. Wear long sleeves and pants! Mosquitoes are abundant in forest areas, shorts will get you bitten badly, use mosquito repellent🦟

3. Order small portions of fish! Large portions in scenic spots are expensive and hard to finish, 25 yuan small portions are enough to try, don’t be fooled by "wild" claims🐟

4. Bring a light jacket! Temperature difference of 10°C+ between morning and evening, short sleeves at noon, jacket needed for sunrise🧥

Although Mudanjiang wore me out, the lake and mountain scenery are so healing! Already thinking about coming back in winter to see the snow~ Quickly your travel buddy to avoid pitfalls and go💕