It was early August that we had to take a hard seat from Shenyang to Songjianghe for failing to buy sleeper tickets (it seems that travel agent has bought all of the sleeper tickets). We were a small team made up of 4 people. Songjianghe town was a good place to travel, which locates in the western slope of the Changbai Mountains.
The first day
We set out at night for the train and arrived at Songjianghe town at 6:00 in the morning for the next day. When we got off train, we had the local famous taxi driver Mr. He to pick us up. He was an honest guy, and was responsible for the whole tour for us, including picking us up, bargaining for a proper price for hotel and spa, and driving us to the north slope of the Changbai Mountains. We gave him 700 yuan, which consisting of 370 yuan for twice tour to Changbai Mountains, 85 yuan for the ticket of eco- car to the mountain.
When we were seeking for a hotel, Mr. He, our driver, came to us for great help. He bargained with the owner of the hotel for us but let us make the choice because we were students without too much money. We chose a hotel near the train station, even not necessary. We set out from Songjianghe town after a short rest. An hour later, we reached the door of west slope. Equipped with a wide range of facilities, the scene was also very beautiful. By the way, a raincoat was necessary, travelers could have a good bargain for 6 yuan in the town, but 20 yuan is charged when in the mountain. We were waiting for the eco-car to send us to the door of climbing mountain after we bought the ticket, we didn’t miss any scenic area when climbed the mountain. Someone who was not in good health could take a sedan chair for 400 yuan, if not more, judging from your weight.
The water flow out of the spring was cool, sweet and clean.
We called Mr. He half an hour before we got off mountain. He picked us to the drifting. It took us two hours to enjoy the whole process of drifting.
PS:
1. Food in the mountain was very expensive; you had better buy some in the town.
2. Some warm clothes were necessary.
3. A good camera was a must.
The second day
We headed for the north slope of the mountain for the next day. It developed well and known as an old scenic area, tickets were the same as the first day. Tianchi could be seen in the peak of the mountain, but we didn’t climb the mountain for the bad weather. Other scenic areas could be found in the tour booklets. After we got off the mountain, we had a spa for 80 yuan, 80% of the ticket price owning to the good bargain ability of our driver. Swimsuit was not necessary for the separate design for different genders.
After finished our spa, Mr. He sent us to the nearby town—Erdaobaihe town, which was the only town nearby. We gave Mr. He 100 yuan for his hard work, but he was so honest that only accepted 35 yuan.
There was no vacancy in many hotels when we got there. We went to a small restaurant that was recommended by boss of our hotel for the special flavor, food was good here.
The third day
In the morning, we bought the tickets to Yanji. 3 hours train and 30 minutes bus finally set us there. We went to Maoer Mountain the day we got there, we took a taxi for 20 yuan from the train station. The scenic was great in the top of the mountain. There was a outlook that overlooks the whole scene of Yanji. When we came back, we went to the west market, seeing whether Chaoxian flavor was available. It didn’t let us down, the flavors were as many as in Xita, Shenyang but much cheaper. We had a great shopping.
The forth day
There were buses to Agri-Expo Garden of International Trade at 9:30 in the morning. It was fun. With beautiful environment, there were restaurants, shows inside, Water Park, folk village, northern Korean snack street, cave, horse farm, farms were available. There were so many things could not enjoy all of them. The place was under developing, we believed it would be better in the future. By the way, bus to Agri-Expo Garden was free, but 5 yuan charge for each when we returned back.
The people here were hospital
We got home by train in the evening, even though there was airport in Yanji too.