3–5 Day Changbai Mountain Travel Guide

1. Highlights and Itinerary Planning Principles Cultural and Natural Experience: Changbai Mountain is not only the most famous mountain in Northeast China, but also the border mountain between China and North Korea and the birthplace of the Manchu people. The combination of volcanic landform exploration and Korean cultural experience makes it even more fun. Multi-slope Tour: The north slope (most developed), west slope (summer flower sea), and south slope (niche secret place) can be combined for a 3–5 day in-depth tour. 2. Transportation Strategy Transportation Plane: Changbaishan Airport (closest to the west slope) or Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport (suitable for a food tour in Yanji) High-speed Rail: Changbaishan Station (north slope entrance) is now accessible by high-speed rail, about 2 hours from Shenyang/Changchun Scenic Area Transportation North Slope: Transfer to an eco-friendly bus at the visitor center (included in the ticket price of CNY 225) + Tianchi off-road vehicle (additional CNY 80) West Slope: Walk up 1,441 steps, alpine garden opens in July 3. Season and Scenery Guide Winter (Nov–Mar) | Frozen Tianchi Lake, Demon Realm Rime Drifting, Skiing (Wanda/Luneng Resort) | Rime can be seen before 5 am Summer (Jun–Aug) | West Slope Alpine Garden, North Slope Lvyuantan Green Pool, Forest Hiking | Best flower sea in July, bring insect repellent Fall (Sep–Oct) | Red Leaf Valley, Volcanic Landform and Birch Forest | Best time for photography is late September to National Day 4. In-depth Experience List North Slope Must-dos Tianchi Viewing Platform (check opening notice in advance) Julong Spring Boiled Eggs (CNY 10/3, unique taste of sulfur spring) Lvyuantan Green Pool + Valley Forest Hiking (2 hours round trip) West Slope Exclusives July Alpine Garden Photography (2,000m above sea level wild flower sea) Jinjiang Grand Canyon Volcanic Rock Columns Cultural Experience Erdaobaihe Town Korean Folk Village (learn to make rice cakes, wear ethnic costumes) Changbai Mountain Natural Museum (geology and ecology science) 5. Accommodation and Food Map Accommodation Area North Slope: Erdaobaihe Town (cost-effective, recommended Gem Hotel near Demon Realm Scenic Area) High-end Resort: Park Hyatt Hotel (ski resort), Blue View Hotel (real volcanic hot spring) Specialty Food Korean Cold Noodles (classic Shunji Cold Noodles in Yanji) Hot Spring Eggs, Forest Frog Oil Stewed with Snow Frog (in North Slope Scenic Area) Wild Blueberry Wine (Erdaobaihe Specialty Store) 6. 3-day In-depth Route Reference Day 1: North Slope Core Area 6 am Demon Realm Drifting → Tianchi Main Peak → Lvyuantan Green Pool → Julong Spring → Stay in Erdaobaihe Day 2: Culture + Secret Place Changbai Mountain Natural Museum → Dashitai River Volcanic Rift Valley → Korean Folk Village → Experience Tea by the Stove Day 3: West Slope Crossing Alpine Garden → Jinjiang Grand Canyon → Experience Snow UTV before Returning 7. Practical Tips Tianchi Opening: The opening status is updated on the official website at 7 am every day, closed in strong wind/snow Photography Equipment: In winter, stick a hand warmer to the camera to prevent it from freezing and shutting down, bring a polarizer in summer to shoot the lake Ticket Reservation: Buy tickets on the official WeChat account "Changbai Mountain" 3 days in advance during peak season, adjust itinerary according to the season.