Changbai Mountain

长白山

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Synopsis

Changbai Mountain is located in the southeast of Jilin Province and is the highest peak in Northeast China, with its main peak, Baiyun Peak, reaching an elevation of 2,691 meters. Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) is the most famous attraction of Changbai Mountain, being the deepest alpine lake in China with a maximum water depth of 373 meters. Changbai Mountain is the birthplace of the Manchu people, boasts extremely rich biodiversity, and is included in the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve.

Overview

Changbai Mountain is located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, spanning the border between China and North Korea. It is the highest peak in Northeast China. Its main peak, Baiyun Peak, stands at 2,691 meters above sea level. The mountain gets its name "Changbai" (meaning "Perpetually White") because its summit is covered with snow for most of the year. The most famous landscape of Changbai Mountain is Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)—a pristine alpine lake nestled in a volcanic crater. The lake's water is a brilliant azure blue, surrounded by 16 spectacular peaks, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Changbai Mountain is the birthplace and cultural sacred mountain of the Manchu people, and it is also one of the most important ecological barriers in Northeast Asia. It has been included in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme network.

Changbai Mountain is a dormant volcano with a history of multiple eruptions. The last major eruption occurred in 1702, and it has remained dormant since. Volcanic activity has created Changbai Mountain's unique geological landscapes. Besides Tianchi, there are natural wonders such as the Changbai Waterfall, hot spring clusters, and the Underground Forest.

Main Attractions

Attraction	Features
Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)	Volcanic crater lake, altitude 2189m, area 9.82 km², maximum depth 373m
Changbai Waterfall	Waterfall flowing from the northern outlet of Tianchi, drop of 68 meters
Julong Hot Spring Cluster	Over 80 hot springs, highest water temperature 82°C, can boil eggs
Underground Forest	Primeval forest formed in a collapsed volcanic crater
Alpine Garden	Alpine tundra flower sea above 2000 meters altitude
Green Abyss Pool	Deep, emerald-green and clear pool, known as "Little Jiuzhaigou"
Valley Forest Sea	Primeval forest in a volcanic lava valley

The Wonder of Tianchi

Tianchi is the soul of Changbai Mountain. This volcanic crater lake sits at an altitude of 2,189 meters, with a surface area of 9.82 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 373 meters. It is China's deepest alpine lake and largest volcanic crater lake. The water in Tianchi mainly comes from precipitation and groundwater, making it extremely pure. On clear days, Tianchi resembles a giant sapphire mirror, reflecting the surrounding peaks and white clouds. However, Tianchi is often shrouded in clouds and mist. It is said that only about one-third of visitors are fortunate enough to see the lake in its full glory.

Tianchi is also the source of three major rivers: the Songhua River, the Tumen River, and the Yalu River. The lake water flows out from the northern outlet, forming the Changbai Waterfall, which then converges into the Erdao Baihe River, becoming one of the sources of the Songhua River.

Ecological Resources

Changbai Mountain boasts extremely rich biodiversity, with four distinct vertical vegetation zones distributed from the foot to the summit. Below 1,000 meters is the mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest zone; from 1,000 to 1,800 meters is the dark coniferous forest zone; from 1,800 to 2,000 meters is the Erman's birch forest zone; and above 2,000 meters is the alpine tundra zone. This complete sequence of vertical vegetation zones is unique in China.

Changbai Mountain is an important habitat for the endangered Siberian tiger. Other rare species include the sable, sika deer, Asian black bear, and the Chinese merganser. Precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng, lingzhi mushroom, and "immortality grass" also grow in the mountain's primeval forests. Changbai Mountain ginseng has been revered since ancient times as the "king of herbs" and is one of China's most famous traditional medicinal materials.

Travel Information

Changbai Mountain is divided into three main tourist areas: the North Slope, the West Slope, and the South Slope. The North Slope, developed earliest, has the most attractions and is the most popular route. The West Slope offers expansive views and a panoramic vista of Tianchi. The South Slope is more pristine, with fewer tourists and better ecological preservation.

The best season for tourism is from July to September when the mountain flowers are in full bloom, the weather is pleasant, and the chances of seeing Tianchi are highest. In winter (December to March), Changbai Mountain is an excellent destination for skiing and snow viewing. The Changbai Mountain Ski Resort is one of the most renowned ski resorts in Northeast China.