Changbaishan - One of the 10 Most Famous Mountains in China

Tianchi, or known as Heavenly Lake, is absolutely the must-visit of Changbaishan. It is settled atop the mountain, at an altitude of 2,189 meters above sea level. The area where the lake set is a crater, with multiple eruptions 12 million years ago and the latest recorded eruption occurring in 1702. Fortunately, the volcano has remained dormant since then. And with springs overflow and rains collect, Tianchi, this vast alpine lake of more than ten square kilometers gradually forms, which is now the grandest in China. Tianchi like a beautiful jade embedded in the mountain clusters of Changbaishan. It is usually in incredible blue and reflects the beautiful sky and moving clouds. And from mid-October to mid-June, it is typically covered with white and flat ice and snow.

Changbaishan Grand Waterfall

At the north end of Tianchi is Changbaishan Grand Waterfall, the only outlet of Tianchi. In such a gorgeous mountainous region with abundant water stored on its top, it is never a big surprise to find waterfall clusters. However, visitors are still impressed a lot by the breathtaking size of the Changbai Grand Waterfall, even though they are already mentally prepared. The waterfall is about 68 meters high and its roar can be heard as far as 200 meters away. What make the waterfall more appealing are the dragon-like trails built next to it, with its surrounding unique black volcanic rocks and ground as backdrop. For safety concerns and environmental protections, these trails are closed now, but all the visitors getting close to the waterfall will still find the relics of the trails too.

Julong Springs

Less than 2 kilometers below the Changbaishan Grand Waterfall, there are dozens of geothermal sites in big and small spreading a thousand square meters of ground, and this Julong Springs, the largest spring cluster in Changbaishan. It colors the surrounding rocks and gravel in beautiful gold, blue, red, green, with mysterious fogs floating in the air. Most of these springs enjoy a high temperature of more than 60℃, and temperature of some hottest ones can reach to as high as 80℃. Put eggs into the hot springs and then you will get a hard-boiled one in almost one second. There is even a special hot spring egg shop opened. Do not forget to have a try if you are there.

Valley Forest

Sudden volcanic eruptions once created huge energy upon nowadays Changbaishan region. Some parts like the summit became taller and taller, while some lower regions collapsed and sank into the valley. When you visit Changbaishan nowadays, you will find a large scale of forest at the bottom of the valley. Ancient trees stand tall in the valley, forming a dense forest. Spruce, mangrove, white birth, elm trees and other timber trees, as well as some precious medical plants can all be found there, and it will be a great experience to stand taller than the forest and get a panorama view of it.

Alpine Garden

On the West Slope of Changbaishan, there is also a beautiful Alpine Garden. Every July and August, all kinds of blooming wild flowers in white, red, yellow, purple and pink will decorate the two sides of the wooden hiking trails, creating an extremely beautiful fairyland.

Changbaishan Mountain Ski Resorts

Featuring an unbeatable climate with nearly nine months of a year are relatively cold and covered with ice and snow, Changbaishan Mountain Scenic Area hosts many great ski resorts. Most of these ski resorts are settled at the foot or middle region of the mountain, including Heping Ski Resort, Wanda Changbaishan Ski Resort, etc. Whether you are big fans of skiing or not, it will be a great chance to add such amazing experience into your tour!

Changbaishan is located on the border between China and North Korea. Its west half belongs to China and the east half to North Korea. Usually, visitors prefer to visit it from its north and west visiting routes in China. The driving distance between the entrances of the two visiting routes is about 110 kilometers, which takes as long as 2 hours by car. Therefore, when it comes to the time needed and ways to Changbaishan, visitors are required to take the different entrances into account.

At present, Changbaishan has one airport in its same name - Changbaishan Airport. Its high speed railway station is under construction and is said to be opened in 2021.

Changbaishan Airport is about 17 km and half an hour by car from the entrance of West Slope (west visiting route) and about 110 km and 2 hours to the entrance of North Slope (north visiting route). Its running flights are limited. But there still are direct flights between Changbaishan and Beijing (2 hours) and Shanghai (2.5 hours).

Train to Changbaishan

Changbaishan Railway Station is located near Erdao Baihe Town, about 40 minutes’ drive to the North Gate of Changbai Mountain and about 1 hour 40 minutes’ drive to West Gate of Changbai Mountain. It receives high speed trains from Changbaishan from Jilin (about 1.5 hours), Changchun (about 2.5 hours), Beijing (7.5 hours), Dalian (about 6 hours), Shenyang (5 hours), Harbin (4 hours), etc.

For the visitors who plan to expand to more destinations in Northeast China like Jilin and Harbin after or before the visit of Changbaishan, you are highly suggested booking a private car service in advance. There is no flight or high speed train available for you to travel from Changbaishan to these cities. And the normal trains waste a lot of your travel time.

We China Discovery has helped hundreds of visitors travel Changbaishan and the surrounding highlights like Jilin Wusong Island, Jingpo Lake and even tour to Harbin. Convenient private car is included in all of our tours. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us!

For environment protecting, all the cars and buses are not available to go inside Changbai Mountain Scenic Area. To help visitors travel the scenic area in ease, there are eco-friendly sightseeing buses provided inside.

On the North Slope, the scenic area offers two kinds of sightseeing bus. One will take you to the main tourist region from the foot of the mountain (CNY 85 per person-full route; CNY 80 per person- partial route) and the other one can take you from Chibei Tourist Center to the North Mountain Gate (CNY 20 per person per ride).

On the West Slope, there also 2 kinds of sightseeing bus offered, which can take visitors from the mountain foot to Tianchi Parking Lot (CNY 85 per person) and the other one can take you from Chixi Tourist Center to the West Mountain Gate (CNY 24 per person per ride).

During the opening days of the South Slope, the bus is also under operation from the foot of the mountain to the parking lot of Tianchi Lake. The bus is CNY 85 per person in cost and about 40min in duration. Learn more about Changbaishan Railway Station>

Changbaishan belongs to the monsoon temperate continental mountain climate, with significant characteristics of vertical climate change. Normally, the upper region of Changbaishan is colder than the foot areas and the nearby city area. Spring is relatively short there, but winter is long. The temperature throughout the year usually changes between - 7℃ and 3℃, even in July, the warmest month, the temperature seldom exceeds 20℃. Therefore, travelers visiting Changbaishan are required to wear warm clothes. Long sleeve, trousers, athletic shoe and a light jacket are recommended if you are going to visit Changbaishan in summer. While in spring or autumn, a heavy coat or a blazer is better. And if you plan to visit Changbaishan in winter, it’s time to take out all your warm gears, like cotton trousers, thermal underwear, down jacket, fleece gloves, wool hat, thermal underwear, etc.

The best time to visit Changbaishan is from late June to early September, when the weather is the most pleasant. Early winter from November to January are also good, because you will get the best snowy scenery and have opportunities to get free enter to the scenic area.

Since the altitude of Changbaishan is relatively high, visitors are highly suggested having a good sleep before the trip. Making a stay at a hotel close to Changbaishan is recommended. If you are going to try the North Slope, choosing a hotel at Erdaobaihe Town (二道白镇) is the best choice.And if you prefer the West Slope, a hotel at Songjianghe Town (松江河镇) or close to Changbaishan Airport will be better. Changbai Mountain International Resort only 20 minutes’ car driving from Changbaishan Airport is our best recommendation. There gathers the largest amount of most luxury hotels in this region. There are also cinemas, coffee bars and a ski resort for your entertainment.

Jiangpo Lake, which literally means “Mirror Lake” in English, is about 307 km (4 hours by car) northeast of the North Gate of Changbai Mountain. It is the largest alpine lava barrier lake in China and the second largest in the world. The lake covers an area of about 95 square kilometers, with a length of 45 kilometers, an average depth of 40 meters and a maximum depth reaching 60 meters under the water. The water drops from its northeast side and thus forms a large waterfall in 20 meters high and 30 meter span. While visiting the waterfall, visitors will be treated with a breathtaking cliff diving performance! Besides the waterfall, Jingpo Lake is also famed for its unique winter scenery. As temperature drops to as low as -35℃ in winter, the water on the surrounding cliff of the lake will gradually turn into a spectacular ice waterfall, however, the lake itself never freezes, because there is said to be an underground hot spring, which is really incredible.

Wisong Island, or called Rime Island, is located about 377 km and 5 hours’ car driving from the North Gate of Changbaishan. Along with the natural karst landscapes in Guilin, stone forest in Yunnan Province and Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, the Rime Landscape in Jilin enjoys the reputation of "China's Top Four Natural Wonders". And the best place to admire Jilin’s rime scenery is on its Wusong Island, which is only one hour’s driving from Jilin downtown. The rime is actually ice crystal decorated on every large or small branch of trees and grasses. When looks from a distance, they all just like beautiful blooming pear flowers, which is especially gorgeous in winter.

Now that you have learned all the basics information of Changbaishan, so can plan your own Changbaishan Tour now! And if you still feel trouble about your tour plan or looking for a hassle-free tour, you can feel free to contact us for help! We China Discovery are experienced in Changbaishan travel and also work very well on tours to any other destinations in China.

If you travel with us, our professional English-speaking guide will accompany all the way and introduce you the best visiting route and photography site and give you the best suggestions according to the weather changing. And our experienced local driver will escort you to Changbaishan and your other favorited destinations in convenient private car. The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interest, budget and every special need. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help!