Northeast winter is a fairy tale. Days 1-2, Harbin: the Ice and Snow World with giant ice sculptures, Central Street for Ma Die-er ice pops, Sophia Cathedral at night, skating on the Songhua River.
Day 3, Snow Village (Shuangfeng forest farm): thick "snow mushroom" roofs, red lanterns, and the village glowing at night like a storybook town; try snow tubing and heated kangs.
Days 4-5, Changbaishan: the crater lake frozen like a mirror, frozen waterfalls, volcanic hot springs, and hiking through snowy forests.
Day 6, return to Harbin or head south to Shenyang or Dalian.
Gear: -20 to -30 degrees - down jacket, thermal layers, hat/scarf/gloves, grippy snow boots; keep phones and cameras warm (heat packs).
Transport: Harbin-Snow Village about 4-5 hours by car, Snow Village-Changbaishan 5-6 hours - charter or join a tour; winter roads need snow chains.
