Atlas of China
Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake 长白山天池Chángbái Shān Tiānchí
A volcanic crater lake on the China–North Korea border, often wrapped in cloud
- Best time
- Jul–Sep
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
- Days to budget
- 2 days
- Stay in
- Erdaobaihe
- Region
- Jilin
- Type
- Nature
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area
Why go to Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake
Heaven Lake fills the crater of Changbai Mountain, a volcano straddling the border with North Korea, its deep blue water ringed by jagged rim peaks. On the north slope, park buses and minivans climb to a viewpoint on the rim; lower down, the Changbai Waterfall pours from the lake's outlet and hot springs steam beside the path, where vendors sell eggs boiled in them.
The story
The crater was blasted open by the 'Millennium Eruption' around 946 CE, one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history. The mountain is sacred in Korean tradition, where it is called Paektu, and the Manchus revered it as their ancestral birthplace.
What to see at Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake
- Heaven Lake 天池: The deep crater lake at about 2,189 m, reached from the north-slope transfer centre by shuttle bus and then off-road vehicle to the viewpoint on the rim.
- Changbai Waterfall 长白瀑布: The waterfall that drops from the lake's outlet, about 68 m high, on the north-slope loop.
- Julong hot springs 聚龙温泉群: A cluster of hot springs steaming beside the path, famous for eggs boiled in them.
- Small Heaven Lake 小天池: A small pond reached by a short walk through the forest.
- Green Abyss Pool 绿渊潭: A deep green pool in the forest below the falls.
- Valley-floor Forest (Underground Forest) 谷底森林: A trail through primeval forest on the floor of a gorge, well below the surrounding ground level.
How to visit Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake
Go through the north gate and take the transfer vehicles up to the lake viewpoint, then come down by the waterfall, hot springs, Small Heaven Lake and Green Abyss Pool, with the Valley-floor Forest trail as a separate stop. A full day suits the whole loop; in half a day, do the lake and the waterfall and skip the forest trail. The summit can close at short notice for wind or fog, heavy snow limits access from about October to May, and the west and south slopes (also with a Heaven Lake path) are reached by separate roads, so choose one slope. Book through the park's official channel and bring your passport; do not stray towards the border.
How to get to Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake
Erdaobaihe, the town below the north slope, has a high-speed rail station and Changbaishan Airport nearby; park buses climb from the north gate to the rim.
Where to stay
Stay in Erdaobaihe, the town at the foot of the north slope, which has hotels, hot-spring baths and restaurants; it is the usual base for an early start at the gate.
What to eat
- Hot-spring eggs 温泉煮鸡蛋: Eggs boiled in the hot springs and sold on the path.
- Korean cold noodles 冷面: Chilled noodles in a tangy broth, a common meal in Erdaobaihe's Korean-influenced restaurants.
Tips for visiting Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake
- The lake is hidden by cloud on many days, so leave a spare day in your plans.
- Bring a warm, windproof jacket even in July; the rim is far colder than town.
- The lake usually stays frozen until around June.
Nearby
Also within 30 km: Changbai Mountain Canyon Floating Stone Forest 长白山峡谷浮石林 (20 km), Daxitaihe Scenic Area 大戏台河 (20 km).
On the map
Open Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake on the map