Don't Take the High-Speed Train to Jiuzhaigou (Jilin Edition): Jilin's Little Jiuzhaigou

🌟 Hui'nan Sanjiaolong Bay｜Volcanic Lake + Forest Hiking, Stunningly Beautiful! Location: Sanjiaolong Bay, Hui'nan County, Tonghua City, Jilin Province 💰 Ticket Price: 120 RMB (Combo ticket includes Sanjiaolong Bay, Dalong Bay, and Diaoshuihu) 🚗 Transportation: I departed from Jilin City, and it took a little over two hours on the highway to get there. Note that there is some distance between the three attractions. --- ✅ **Sanjiaolong Bay** Recommendation Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The parking lot is spacious and convenient (with charging stations), and parking costs 15 RMB. The scenic area is relatively small. Upon entering, there’s a sightseeing shuttle (15 RMB per person) that takes you to the lakeside in less than 5 minutes. You can take a boat ride 🚢, but I recommend doing so at Dalong Bay instead, as it’s larger and offers a longer ride. According to the shuttle driver, there are small animals to see, but there’s a very long staircase that I didn’t feel like climbing. If you’re visiting with kids, it might be worth exploring. ✅ **Dalong Bay** Recommendation Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Parking here is free. After ticket collection, you’ll need to walk up a flight of stairs. My first impression was how clean it is—the lake water is crystal clear, so much so that you can see the bottom. It’s no wonder it’s called the "Blue Tear" of the volcanic lake cluster. The water is expansive, deep, and vividly blue, with plenty of small fish visible. I recommend taking a boat ride here (🚢 20 RMB per person, speedboat 🚤 30 RMB per person). It’s definitely worth it. Walking along the wooden boardwalk around the lake, the clear water reflects the forest and sky beautifully. Even photos taken with a regular camera turn out stunning. Highly recommended. ✅ **Diaoshuihu** Recommendation Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Diaoshuihu requires the most walking among the three attractions, but the wooden boardwalk is easy to navigate and very friendly for both seniors and children. In summer, it feels like stepping into an air-conditioned room—cool and not sunny at all. After about 20 minutes of walking, you’ll reach the waterfall, which has a drop of nearly 10 meters. In summer, the cool spray is incredibly refreshing, making it a perfect spot to escape the heat. Compared to more popular attractions, this place is quieter, and you won’t have to fight for photo spots.