Changbai Mountain & Heaven Lake

Snow shards on jagged brown mountains. Gray clouds and shadowed peaks and ever-changing shades of blue. Mist. Rain. Wind. Sunshine.

Changbai Mountain and Heaven Lake are full of surprises in Spring.

Changbaishan mountain volcano lake panorama — Sunny moment on the Northern viewpoint of Changbai Mountain in China, looking to North Korea (middle left). Yes, that’s a rope: You can’t walk further than a designated rope-off path, overseen by staff.

Changbai Mountain: Contents

Travel Tips

When to Visit

How to Get There

How much is the Ticket

What to Bring

Changbai mountain volcano Slopes — On the path to the Heaven Lake vista, you look towards the volcanic slopes of Changbaishan.

Changbaishan is a major tourist attraction in Jilin Province in North-Eastern China

However, it’s also a big deal in neighboring North Korea, where it’s called Mount Paektu.

North Korean myth says the founder Kim Jong-il was born near Mount Paektu, and in fact, the mountain is sacred to both North and South Korea as it’s regarded as the spiritual home of Koreans.

At Changbai, busloads of South Koreans visit from the Chinese side.

Moody Changbaishan mountain lake — Another moody moment on Changbai Mountain, looking to Heaven Lake (officially known as Tianchi Lake).

On this day, a group of South Korean teenagers burst into emotive tune, some teary-eyed, which I assume is their national anthem, as Mount Paektu is mentioned in both Koreas national song.

Heaven Lake swims in a volcanic crater, formed back in 946 AD when Paektu Mountain erupted.

At its deepest point, the Heaven Lake reaches 384 meters and is icy from October to June.

Changbai Mountain – TRAVEL TIPS

NOTE: Visiting Changbai is not a DIY hike-anywhere experience as the mountain and Heaven Lake border China and North Korea.

There are 3 sides from to visit Changbai from China.

The West and North have the most spectacular vistas, with the western side being most visited. (However, the reality is they’ve developed the area; so expect crowds).

Changbai mountain view to surrounding forest reserve — Looking from the slopes of Changbaishan to the protected forest of the vast, surrounding Nature Reserve.

And because of the sensitive border and overwhelming tourist numbers, you must take an organized trip to visit Changbai volcano and the lake (even if hiking up to it, you must still pay entrance + transportation fees).

Wei and I visited the Northern viewpoint in the Spring. and we encountered mild crowds (mostly there for only a short time).

When to visit Changbai Mountain

The weather at Changbai is unpredictable, and it’s just luck of the draw whether you see anything.

According to a staff member on the summit, the lake is visible only 100 days of the year!

He also told Wei that we were lucky to see all seasons in one day. Especially since rain brings zero visibility.

While Winter can mean blue skies and less cloud and more chances of seeing the lake, this also means freezing mountain temperatures.

Summer brings rain – visibility issues – and flowers (at the Western viewpoint). But also, summer school holiday crowds – up to 20,000 people each day; tickets are limited !!!

Autumn may be the best time to visit Changbai, with less rain and red leaves around the surrounding forest park

How to get to Changbai

To the North Side (Bei Po): First, you need to get from the tourist hub of Erdao Baihe to enter Changbai National Park (we did it by van but buses do the 53 km route).

Chang Bai Mountain Tourism China — The full reality of this natural beauty spot = Mass Tourism TOP: In the minivan (the drivers are incredibly fast and skilled) going down. BOTTOM: Lines of tourists silhouette the skyline looking over Heaven Lake path. The summit minivan terminal with tourist center and Chinese military post.

Once there, frequent shuttle buses take 40 minutes to reach a station at the foot of the mountain, where lines of minivans await you. Then it’s a fast, 15 minute drive up the mountain slopes to the Heaven Lake vistas.

Once at the summit minivan terminal, it’s a short walk up paved steps – 5 to 10 minutes – to the lake view walkway. And while the walking route is very limited, the views are A-MA-ZING!!!

How much is the ticket to Changbaishan?

A ticket to visit Changbai Mountain costs 270 RMB

This equals 105 RMB for the park entrance (good for 3 days as bad weather means no views and an option to return) and 2 return transportation tickets (another 165 RMB for the bus + minivan; these fees include traveling to the other sites).

Icy Changbai Mountain with Volcano Lake China — Spring cloud and ice at stunning Heaven Lake amid Changbai mountain volcano.

The mountain entrance ticket also includes access to a nearby waterfall, hot springs and an underground forest – all within the Changbaishan Nature Reserve.

NOTE: The trail to the smaller Heaven Lake (above the waterfall, not this main one pictured here) is now permanently closed.

What to bring to Changbai

Bring warm clothes even if it’s hot. You’ll need a fleece, windbreaker, boots (gloves, scarf and more in Winter).

Mount Changbai stands over 2000 meters – so there’s freezing winds and chill by the sky-load.

However, it can get hot when calm, yet it’s usually freezing much of the time.

And take a daypack with snacks and water -I took a bottle of baijiu and munchies 🙂 to enhance the hours. Yes, there are the usual conveniences at the summit: restaurant, shops, shelter and toilets.