Volcano, Lake & Forest Tour (3-Day Southern Mudanjiang Itinerary)

Depart from Mudanjiang City → Langgang Watermelon Market (Taste and purchase local watermelons) → Ziling Lake. Admire the unique scenery of this ecological volcanic wetland lake. Cruise across the entire lake by motorboat, then row small boats into reed marshes to spot wild ducks, herons, mandarin ducks and other waterfowl. Next, row to the bay dotted with water lilies and water caltrops to view lotus flowers and pick caltrops. Dock and climb the Lake View Tower for a bird’s-eye panorama of Ziling Lake, with distant views of Jingpo Lake and Feilong Pond.

Lunch at Ziling Lake.

Proceed to Volcanic Crater National Forest Park. Along the way, appreciate volcanic lava platforms and volcanic wetland landscapes. After entering the park, visit attractions in sequence: Little North Lake, ten-thousand-year ancient red lotus habitat, Scaly-sided Merganser reserve, lakeside birch forest, underground volcanic lava tunnels (observe scratch marks left by lava flows and folded solidified lava), ancient ice cave, mist cave, cave-within-a-cave, natural stone arch bridge, volcanic craters, underground primeval forest, Qitian Pavilion and ancient post road.

Stroll around the forest products market to buy local mountain specialties.

Visit Rainbow Trout Park: Feed, fish for, catch and purchase rainbow trout.

Head to Jingpo Canyon: Tour traditional Korean ethnic dwellings, watch demonstrations of glutinous rice cake and rice wine making, enjoy folk performances of swing, springboard and wrestling, climb water wheels, join Korean-style tug-of-war, and wander along the river valley to admire natural scenery.

Dinner: Authentic Korean ethnic feast. After dinner, watch Korean folk singing and dancing shows, and join local Korean villagers for a bonfire party. Overnight stay at Jingpo Lake.

Before breakfast: Admire the stunning lake and mountain scenery glowing in morning twilight.

After breakfast, take a full-lake cruise on Jingpo Lake, visiting scenic spots in order: Statue of Red Luo Maiden, Mao Gong Mountain, Apricot Blossom Village, Flying Rainbow Bridge, Moon-Embracing Bay, White Stone Cliffs, Big Lonely Hill, Small Lonely Hill, Taoist Mountain, Pearl Gate and City Wall Cliffs. Disembark afterward to explore the ruins of the Bohai naval camp from the Tang Dynasty, then climb the mountain for a panoramic overlook of Jingpo Lake and bonsai-like Small Lonely Hill.

Lunch at Deer Garden Island or Lake Center Island.

Disembark at the mountain villa pier to visit the Ancient Yaoshi Buddhist Temple, Liu Shaoqi’s Former Residence, Liu Shaoqi Trail, Fishing Platform, Deng Xiaoping Villa, the grand waterfall, Deng Xiaoping’s stone inscription and Basalt Valley.

Dinner: Jingpo Lake Fish Feast. Overnight stay at Jingpo Lake. (Note: Half-lake cruise to Big Lonely Hill is also available as an alternative.)

Depart from Jingpo Lake → Site of Longquanfu, Upper Capital of the Bohai Kingdom (Tour the museum, grand ancient ruins and the Eight-Treasure Colored Glaze Well).

Visit Xinglong Temple, home to imperial steles, bixi stone tortoise stele bases, stone lantern pillars and stone Buddha statues dating back to the Bohai Kingdom era.

Proceed to Bohai Customs Park: Observe cross-sections of Xiangshui Slate Rice paddy fields, tour the rice cultivation exhibition hall, buy premium Xiangshui Slate Rice, explore the Black Water Stockade, and pay a home visit to local Korean farming families.

Lunch: Authentic farmhouse dishes of Korean style.

Travel to Ning’an City to visit the Qing Dynasty Grand Stone Bridge, Snow Splashing Spring, Ma Jun Memorial Hall and Zhang Wentian’s Former Work Studio.

Return to Mudanjiang City: Visit Riverside Park, pay homage to the monumental sculpture of the Eight Heroines Who Drowned Themselves in the River and tour the memorial hall.

Dinner: Classic Northeastern farmhouse feast.