If you love a crystalline world that's covered with snow and ice, you won't want to miss a magic journey to northeast China this winter.
Day 1: Harbin Ice & Snow World
Being the famous "Ice City" in northeastern China, Harbin attracts visitors with its Ice and Snow Festival, a happy carnival providing visitors a wonderland of ice and snow. The festival is held annually on Jan.5 and lasts for one month.
Tips: The best collections of ice artworks are mainly on display in the following five places: Harbin Ice and Snow World, Ice Lantern Garden Party, Sun Island Scenic Area, Yabuli International Ski Resort and Zhaolin Park.
Day 2: Yabuli Ski Resort
With a high elevation and good snow conditions, the Yabuli Ski Resort claims to be the biggest and best ski resort in China. Besides the competitive section for professional skiing training and competitions, there is a leisure skiing section providing various entertainment facilities to visitors.
Transport: You can take the "special ski train" at 08:08 from Harbin East Railway Station to reach the resort. Or, you can take tour bus or train to Yabuli Town, and transfer to a mini-bus to the resort, which takes about 20 minutes.
Day 3: China's Snow Town
China's Snow Town, a beautiful village, located in Shuangfeng Wood Farm in Hailin City, Heilongjiang Province. In winter the snow here can be as deep as two meters and hang from the eaves to the ground, forming a unique scene of "snow curtains" and creating a winter wonderland.
Transport: Get to Mudanjiang City or Linhai City first, then take a tourist bus or take a taxi to the village.
Best time to visit: Dec - Mar.
Day 4: Jingpo Lake Jingpo Lake, a paradise for both travelers and scientists, is famous for its craggy limestone cliffs and turquoise-colored waters. As a mountain lake, Jingpo Lake was formed ten thousand years ago when lavas from volcano eruptions blocked the Mudan River.
Transport: Coach services from Mudanjiang City or Dongjing County to Jingpo Mountain Retreat are available.
Day 5: Changbai Mountain
Considered as the most famous mountain in northeast China, Changbai Mountain is well-known for its snowy scenery, cool summers and mineral springs. The Tianchi Lake, or Heavenly Lake, is a crater lake perched atop the mountain and its scenery varies greatly as the season changes.
Transport: Take a train to Erdaobaihe County or fly to Yanji airport first, then take a taxi to the northern slope or western slope entrances of the mountain district.
Day 6: Frost Island
Rime is Jilin's hidden gem in winter. Its unparalleled beauty has shocked many people as it has the most concentrated and best site for frost, which making it a pure fairy tale world.
Transport: Frost lsland is 40 kilometers north from Jilin City, you can take bus no. 33 or take a taxi from city center.
