Give up on Yichun! This place is too amazing for summer trips with kids in July and August

1. Why go to Yichun • Home to Asia's largest and best-preserved original Korean pine forest, with a forest coverage rate of 85%, known as a "natural oxygen bar." • Summer temperatures around 20°C, making it one of the coolest summer resorts in China; from mid-September to early October, the "Five-Flower Mountain" red leaves rival Canada's Maple Leaf Road; winter offers a hundred-mile rime and powder snow, a photographer's paradise. • Diverse activities: light hiking in the primeval forest, hot spring wellness, dinosaur fossil study tours, Northeast folk customs and New Year atmosphere, forest train rides, ice and snow photography... 2. Best travel time • Summer cooling: June to August • Autumn foliage viewing: Around September 15 to October 7 (adjusted annually based on temperature) • Ice and snow season: Late December to the end of February (rime, skiing, Northeast New Year customs) 3. Classic itinerary recommendations 1. Three-day highlights (must-do for first-timers) Day 1: Jinshan Deer Park feeding deer → Jiufengshan Yangxin Valley stay in forest cabin Day 2: Wuying National Forest Park (forest train + Guantao Tower) → Tianci Lake sunset Day 3: Tangwang River Forest and Strange Stone Scenic Area → China Forest Capital Woodcarving Park → Return trip 2. Five-day photography & wellness Days 1-2: Daqingshan rime/ autumn sea of clouds sunrise → Shangganling Creek National Forest Park light hiking Day 3: Taoshan Xuanyang Peak "Little Huangshan of the North" → Baoyulonghua Hot Spring Hotel night soak in cold region hot spring Day 4: Maolangou National Forest Park canyon waterfalls → Jiayin Dinosaur National Geopark Day 5: Hongxing Kuerbin rime (winter) / Wuying Korean pine forest morning mist (summer) → Return trip 3. Eight-day panoramic self-drive (starting and ending in Harbin, route map included) Harbin → Suiling Forestry Bureau forest train → Tieli Toulong Mountain → Yichun Wuying → Tangwang River → Jiayin → Shangganling → Return to Harbin. 4. Transportation • Airplane: Yichun Lindu Airport has direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Harbin. • High-speed rail: Harbin Station → Yichun West Station has 4-5 daily trains, fastest 3 hours 15 minutes. • Self-drive: Harbin—Heha Expressway—Iyichun city center, total 320 km, about 4 hours; roads between scenic spots are mostly forest area roads, snow tires required in winter. • Car rental/shared ride: City center → Wuying/Tangwang River one-way 100-150 RMB per person, can be booked in advance at hotels or online. 5. Top 8 must-visit attractions 1. Wuying National Forest Park Asia's largest Korean pine forest, steam train, Guantao Tower, squirrel interaction, ticket 60 RMB. 2. Tangwang River Forest and Strange Stone Scenic Area Granite strange stones intertwined with primeval forest, photography paradise, ticket 90 RMB. 3. Shangganling Creek National Forest Park Boardwalk along the creek, best spot for autumn "Five-Flower Mountain," ticket 55 RMB. 4. Jinshan Deer Park Free-range sika deer and red deer, fairy-tale snowy field scene, ticket 38 RMB. 5. Maolangou National Forest Park Deep gorges, waterfalls, autumn leaves, known as "Little Jiuzhaigou of the Northeast." 6. Jiayin Dinosaur National Geopark Learn about dinosaur fossils in the Heilongjiang basin, top choice for family study tours, ticket 50 RMB. 7. Taoshan Xuanyang Peak 2.5-hour hike, overlook the sea of forest at sunrise, ticket 40 RMB. 8. China Forest Capital Woodcarving Park (city center) The world's largest Korean pine woodcarving collection, free admission, even more beautiful at night. 6. Accommodation guide • High-end resorts: Baoyulonghua Hot Spring Hotel (includes cold region hot spring), Jiufengshan Yangxin Valley forest villas. • Popular homestays: Xishui Songyue (Japanese-style forest courtyard), Zizai Xiangli Mountain Water Rural Complex (rice field starry sky rooms). • Budget chains: Yichun city center Lavande, Home Inn, peak season 250-400 RMB/night, book in advance. 7. Culinary delights of the Forest Capital • Mountain delicacies: hazelnut mushroom stewed chicken, stir-fried tender buds with eggs, lion’s mane mushroom braised pork. • River fish feast: Heilongjiang cold-water zheluo fish, sturgeon, iron pot stewed river fish. • Northeast snacks: sticky bean buns, guobaorou (sweet and sour pork), sauerkraut with vermicelli, grilled cold noodles. Recommended restaurants: City center "Xiangyuan Restaurant," Wuying "Linweixuan," Jiayin "River Fish Wharf." 8. Packing list • Summer: sun protection clothing + quick-dry pants + hiking shoes + mosquito repellent. • Autumn: windbreaker + fleece + hiking boots + camera polarizing filter (for red leaves). • Winter: down jacket (for -30°C), snow boots, warm packs, crampons, spare camera batteries. • All year: dual-purpose umbrella, moisturizer, stomach medicine (forest area food tends to be greasy). 9. Budget reference (per person) • Economy: 600-800 RMB/day (high-speed rail + budget hotel + shared ride + simple meals) • Quality: 1200-1500 RMB/day (self-drive/car rental + hot spring hotel + specialty restaurants + all tickets included) • Ice and snow photography: winter peak season hotel prices rise 30-50%, booking 1 month in advance recommended. 10. One-sentence summary In Yichun, every deep breath is a "forest spa," and every shutter click captures China's purest Korean pine forest sea. Pack your bags and head north to the Forest Capital for a green dream.