Heaven Lake of Changbai Mountain

Background

Heaven Lake fills the crater of Baitou Peak, the main summit of Changbai Mountain; the lake straddles the border, and the Chinese side belongs to Jilin Province. Visitors usually view it from the north slope (around Antu County) or the west slope (towards Fusong County, Baishan City), with the division of the slopes following the scenic area's official boundaries. The lake formed when water collected in the caldera left by a great eruption around 946; its surface lies at 2,189.1 metres, it covers about 9.82 square kilometres, averages about 213 metres deep and reaches about 384 metres at its deepest, and it is usually frozen from mid-October to mid-June; according to the Guinness Shanghai office, it is the world's highest volcanic lake. Changbai Mountain appears early in Chinese records under names such as Buxian Mountain and Taibai Mountain, and the name "Changbai" was already in use under the Liao and Jin; the Qing regarded it as one of their ancestral homelands, though the details of that lineage are a matter for historical research. Changbai Mountain also contains the highest peak in Northeast China, and below the summit lie volcanic landscapes such as the Changbai Waterfall, hot spring clusters and the underground forest.

Local customs

• On the north slope, ride the scenic area's eco-bus up the mountain and look down on Heaven Lake from the viewing platforms
• on the west slope, climb what sources put at more than 1,400 steps for a full panorama
• on the way, visit the Changbai Waterfall, the Julong Hot Springs, Lüyuan Pool and the underground forest
• in winter, combine your visit with nearby skiing and hot springs.

Travel tips

• Whether you can see the lake depends entirely on the weather, and the scenic area may close temporarily in fog, wind or rain, so arrive early and leave spare time
• the summit is windy and cold, so bring a windproof jacket even in summer
• the north and west slopes differ in how much climbing they involve, so choose according to your fitness, and confirm opening and eco-bus arrangements through the scenic area's official channels beforehand. You can travel first to the Changbai Mountain Protection and Development Zone or the Erdaobaihe Town area and take the eco-bus up
• alternatively, fly to Changbai Mountain Airport or take the high-speed train to Changbai Mountain Station, then continue by road to the north-slope visitor centre
• mountain roads are slippery in winter, so use official transport. For tickets, refer to official announcements.
• Summer is the traditional season for seeing the lake, though fog is still common
• autumn turns the forests to many colours
• winter is the time for snowfields, rime and hot springs, but the lake is mostly under ice and snow and access depends heavily on the weather
• spring and autumn bring big temperature swings, so plan around the latest forecast.