Northeast China has been a region imbued with the color of war since before liberation. Having endured the trials of time and conflict, it still stands gloriously. Thus, apart from its natural resources, the region also boasts a unique red culture, making it a dream travel destination for many. What are the must-visit places in Northeast China? What is the ranking of tourist attractions in the Northeast? Below, follow our steps as we take you into the travel destinations of the Northeast together.
The three provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning are located in the northeastern part of our country, forming the head of the rooster on our national map. The land here is fertile, the resources abundant, and the local customs rugged, creating a distinctive culture. As a result, many people commonly refer to these three provinces as the "Three Northeastern Provinces," or simply the "Northeast." Many people enjoy traveling to the Northeast in winter because of its unique ice and snow scenery, attracting those who have never seen a world of white to spend the winter here. In fact, besides the snowscapes, the Northeast also offers many refreshing and delightful tourist destinations. In this article, we will introduce you to the Northeast China travel routes.
Harbin
Recommended duration of visit: 3–5 days
Best travel season: Winter
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, and buses available; intra-city buses, ferries, and taxis are very convenient.
Accommodation: Many hotels available at relatively affordable prices
Target groups: Families/family with kids, honeymooners, couples, friends
Themes/types: Photography, shopping, skiing, folklore, art, leisure, amusement parks
Honors: National-level Historical and Cultural City, Most Developed Tourism City on Mainland China, National Pilot City for Innovation
Travel experience: Food ★★★ / Accommodation ★★★★ / Transportation ★★★★☆ / Sightseeing ★★★★ / Shopping ★★★ / Entertainment ★★★★★
Top ten attractions:
| Harbin Ice and Snow World | Yabuli Ski Resort | Saint Sophia Cathedral | Sun Island | Songhua River |
| Zhongyang Street | Harbin Amusement Park | Northeast Tiger Forest Park | Harbin Polarland | Phoenix Mountain |
Related article: Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Harbin – Feel the Warmth of Scenery in the Cold
Dalian
Recommended duration of visit: 3–5 days
Best travel season: May–October
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, ships, and buses available; intra-city buses, taxis, and car rentals also available
Accommodation: Dalian has 166 star-rated hotels, as well as options for couples and guesthouses
Audience: Families/family trips, couples, best friends, students/graduation trips
Themes/types: Urban, seaside, geological, natural, leisure, amusement park, summer retreat
Honors: Summer resort, outstanding tourist city, international 5A-level scenic area
Travel experience: Food ★★★★ / Accommodation ★★★★ / Transportation ★★★★ / Sightseeing ★★★★ / Shopping ★★★ / Entertainment ★★★
Top ten attractions:
| Golden Pebble Beach | Tiger Beach Ocean Park | Golden Coast | Ocean World of Saint John’s (Shengya Ocean World) | Xinghai Square |
| Lushun | Baiyun Mountain | Discoveryland Theme Park | Dalian Forest Zoo | Xinghai Park |
Related articles: Travel tips for Dalian, Dalian travel guide, Dalian Tiger Beach Ocean Park guide, how to enjoy Tiger Beach Ocean Park
Shenyang
Recommended duration of visit: 3–5 days
Best travel season: April–October
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, and buses available; city has buses, subways, and taxis
Accommodation: Wide range of lodging options, generally not very expensive
Audience: Families/family trips, couples, best friends, backpackers
Themes/types: Hiking, folk culture, urban, leisure, amusement park
Honors: National garden city, China's outstanding tourist city, China's famous historical and cultural city, national garden city
Travel experience: Food ★★★★ / Accommodation ★★★★ / Transportation ★★★★★ / Sightseeing ★★★ / Shopping ★★★★ / Entertainment ★★★
Top ten attractions:
| Shenyang Imperial Palace | Qipanshan (Chessboard Mountain) | Shenyang Beiling (North Tomb) | Shenyang Guai Po (Strange Slope) | Shenyang Fantawild Adventure |
| Zhang’s Mansion | Dongling Park | Liaoning Provincial Museum | South Lake Park | Liu Laogen Grand Stage |
Related article: Where to Find the Best Hot Springs in Liaoning – A Travel Guide to Northeast China’s Hot Spring Getaways
Changchun
Recommended duration of visit: 3–5 days
Best travel seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, and buses; well-developed city bus network, plus light rail and taxis
Ideal for: Families with kids, couples, friends, middle-aged & elderly travelers
Themes/types: Gardens, history, folklore, skiing
Honors: One of China’s Four Great Garden Cities, the Most People-Friendly City, One of China’s Happiest Cities
Travel experience: Food ★★★☆ / Accommodation ★★★★ / Transportation ★★★★☆ / Attractions ★★★ / Shopping ★★★ / Entertainment ★★★★
Top 10 attractions:
| Changchun Movie Wonderland | Jingyue Lake | Puppet Manchukuo Imperial Palace | Changchun Film Studio | South Lake Park |
| Great Wall World Scenic Park | Changchun Wildlife Park | Changchun Sculpture Museum | Changchun Movie City | World Sculpture Park |
Changbai Mountain
Recommended duration of visit: 3 days
Best travel seasons: July, August, September
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, and buses; within the scenic area, options include eco-friendly shuttles, express tour buses, taxis, and chartered vehicles
Accommodation: You can stay in Changchun the day before your visit, where there are hotels and restaurants of all grades.
Target Groups: Families/parent-child trips, couples, best friends, students/graduation trips
Themes/Types: Hiking, forests, waterfalls, lakes, snow mountains, glaciers
Honors: National 5A-level tourist attraction
Travel Experience: Food ★★★ / Accommodation ★★★☆ / Transportation ★★★☆ / Scenery ★★★★ / Shopping ★★★ / Entertainment ★★★★
Top 10 Attractions:Heaven Lake | Valley-bottom Seaside | Hot Spring Group | Changbai Waterfall | Alpine Garden | Cold Spring | Wangtian’e | Changbai Mountain Labyrinth | Changbai Waterfall Group | Natural Ski Resort on the Western Slope of Changbai Mountain
Mohe
Recommended Duration: 1 day
Best Travel Seasons: Summer, Winter
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, and buses available; two bus lines within the county town, private car rental also possible
Accommodation: Mature accommodation options with multiple hotels to choose from
Target Groups: Couples, best friends, backpackers, students/graduation trips
Themes/Types: Ancient town, countryside, snowscape, geology, leisure
Honors: National 4A-level tourist attraction, China’s northernmost city, the only place in China where you can see the aurora borealis and the midnight sun
Travel Experience: Food ★★★ / Accommodation ★★★ / Transportation ★★★ / Scenery ★★★★☆ / Shopping ★★★ / Entertainment ★★★☆
Famous Attractions:Arctic Village | Yan Zhi Gully | First Bend of the Heilongjiang River | Beihong Village | Mohe’s Nine-Twist Eighteen-Bend | Luoguhe Village | Northernmost Family | Xing’an Port
Related Attractions:5 Best Places on Earth to See the Stunning Aurora Borealis
| Scandinavian Peninsula | Denali National Park | Yukon, Canada | Iceland | Greenland |
Mudanjiang
Recommended Duration: 1–2 days
Best Travel Seasons: Autumn, Winter
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, and buses available; local buses and taxis also available
Accommodation: Good accommodation conditions with a variety of hotels and guesthouses to choose from
Target Audience: Families with kids, couples, best friends
Themes/Types: Photography, waterfalls, lakes, snowscapes, culture
Honors: China’s Snow City, China's Top Tourist City, China's Top 200 Charming Cities, China’s Top 10 Green Cities
Travel Experience: Dining ★★★☆ / Accommodation ★★★☆ / Transportation ★★★★ / Attractions ★★★★ / Shopping ★★★ / Entertainment ★★★
Top 10 Attractions:Jingpo Lake | Snow Town | Underground Forest | Mudan Peak | Diaoshuilou Waterfall | Beishan Park | Suifenhe | Weihu Mountain | Heibao Bear Park | Snow Town Ski Resort
Related Article: Snowscape Photography – Practical Techniques You Can Learn
Related Attractions:China’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Snow Towns
Wusong Island | Yichun | Altay | Mohe Arctic Village | Harbin | Yakeshi | Hehuan Mountain | Helan Mountain | Yabuli
Hulunbuir
Recommended Duration: 1–3 days
Best Travel Season: July to September
Transportation: Direct flights, trains, and buses available; city has public buses and taxis, as well as car rental options
Accommodation: Hotels of various grades, Mongolian yurts
Target Audience: Couples, best friends, honeymooners, solo travelers, backpackers
Themes/Types: Photography, grasslands, nature, leisure, folklore
Honors: One of China’s Six Key Tourism Development Zones, One of China’s Top 20 Scenic Spots, National Key Grassland Tourism Development Zone
Travel Experience: Dining ★★★ / Accommodation ★★★☆ / Transportation ★★★☆ / Attractions ★★★★★ / Shopping ★★★ / Entertainment ★★★
Top 10 Attractions:Hulunbuir Grassland | Manzhouli | Erguna | Hailar | Erguna River | Oroqen | Chaihe | Hulun Lake | Huhenuoer Grassland | Ewenki