The ultimate Harbin travel guide! Perfect for beginners to dive right in!

Who understands! A trip that links the romantic Ice City Harbin, the fairy-tale Snow Town, Changbai Mountain volcanic Tianchi Lake, and Yanji Korean ethnic customs is truly breathtaking to the point of speechlessness~ Packed with super practical tips to save you hassle and avoid pitfalls! ❄️ Travel Essentials ✅ Dress in layers like an onion: quick-dry thermal underwear + thick sweater + windproof down jacket + down pants, paired with a Lei Feng hat, touchscreen gloves, and snow boots with added snow studs for traction. ✅ Carry hand warmers (stick them on your ankles for long-lasting warmth), lip balm + body lotion (to prevent cracking), sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness and for great photos), and a power bank (batteries drain fast in cold). 🚗 Transportation Guide ✈️ Major transport: Flying into Harbin or Yanji is most convenient, with smooth high-speed rail connections between the four locations; Changbai Mountain → Yanji is a 2-hour direct trip. 🚘 Car rental recommendation: For Harbin → Snow Town → Changbai Mountain → Yanji, choose a reputable car rental with an SUV costing 600-800 RMB/day including fuel; drivers with snow tires are very reliable, avoiding roadside unlicensed taxis. 📅 Itinerary Overview 👉 Day 1: Central Street → Saint Sophia Cathedral → Ice and Snow World → Stay in Harbin 👉 Day 2: Harbin → Yabuli Ski Resort → Horse-drawn sled → Stay in Yabuli 👉 Day 3: Yaxue Highway → Datudingzi Mountain → Ice and Snow Gallery → Stay in Snow Town 👉 Day 4: Snow Town → Xueyun Street → Jingpo Lake Winter Fishing → Stay in Erdaobaihe 👉 Day 5: Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake → Green Pool → Hot Springs → Stay in Erdaobaihe 👉 Day 6: Demon Realm Rafting → Yanji Folk Culture Park → Popular Bullet Screen Wall → Stay in Yanji 👉 Day 7: Yanji → Water Market → Return from Yanji/Harbin/Changchun 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations 🏡 Harbin: Stay near Central Street, within walking distance to Saint Sophia Cathedral, very convenient for shopping and dining. 🏡 Snow Town: Choose newly opened guesthouses, prioritize rooms with separate wet and dry areas, with snow mushrooms visible outside the window, and experience the warm kang bed. 🏡 Changbai Mountain: Stay at hot spring hotels in Erdaobaihe Town, featuring volcanic hot springs, a perfect contrast of ice and fire to relieve fatigue. 🏡 Yanji: Around the university area offers great value, walking distance to the popular wall and food street, super convenient. 🍜 Food List 🍱 Harbin: Old Chef’s Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork), Madie’er popsicles, rib iron pot stew, paired with freshly brewed kvass. 🍱 Snow Town: Frozen pears and frozen strawberries, chicken stewed with mushrooms, sticky bean buns dipped in sugar are super fragrant. 🍱 Changbai Mountain: Hot spring eggs (3 for 10 RMB), Korean rice cakes, warming ginseng chicken soup is a must. 🍱 Yanji: Jeonju bibimbap, Shunji cold noodles, morning market rice cakes, rice wine paired with barbecue is amazing. ⚠️ Notes 1. Book Changbai Mountain tickets on the official website 3 days in advance; Tianchi Lake opening depends on weather; wear an extra layer due to high altitude. 2. Walk slowly with small steps on snowy days, don’t put your hands in your pockets to avoid slipping. 3. Put your phone and camera in sealed bags before going indoors to prevent fogging. 4. Northeast Chinese dishes are large portions; order less when dining with many people to avoid waste. 5. For Harbin red sausage, choose brands from Shangwei or Qiulin Lidaosi, avoid counterfeit products near tourist spots.