|
Changbai Mountain Range is a shield-shaped dormant volcano, which is the highest in Northeast China and the east of Eurasia, with 16 well-known peaks over 2,500 meters above sea level. Its major peak, Baitou Peak, with an elevation of 2,691 meters, is the highest peak in Changbai Mountain Range. The Lake Tianchi is an alpine lake formed by volcanic eruption. It is the deepest alpine lake in China with average depth of 201 meters and the deepest part of 373 meters. The most beautiful part of Changbai Mountain is undoubtedly the Lake Tianchi, or Heavenly Lake. The lake was formed in the crater of Changbai Mountain, and it is the source of the Songhua, Tumen and Yalu Rivers. With clouds everywhere, Heavenly Lake is like a jade in the sky. Many witnesses have claimed that there are monsters in the lake! Some witnesses even took photos as proof, but there is still no conclusion yet.
Hot springs locate 800 meters north to the Lake Tianchi. The water temperature is mostly between 70℃ and 80℃, containing various kinds of healthy minerals. These hot springs are quite suitable for drinking as well as bathing.
Many favourable natural conditions in Changbai Mountain result in rich bio-diversity. Research shows that, there are 2,277 species of plants distributed in the Reserve, among which Spruce, mangrove, white birth, elm trees and other timber trees can be found. There are some famous and precious medicinal plants in the Reserve such as ginseng, dangshen (Codonopsis Pilosula), Fritillaria thunbergil and Gastrodia elata. There are also plants which can be used to make food such as hawthorn, hazelnut, brakes and Auricularia auricula-judae, etc.
During the peak seasons, namely June through September, hundreds of flowers blossom on the Southern and Western slopes, attracting travellers far and near. It is quite cool in Changbai Mountain in summer, so it's an ideal place for escaping from the summer heat. But it is also very rainy in July and August, and visitors cannot see the Heavenly Lake clearly at that time. The best time to visit Changbai Mountain is September. Generally, it starts to snow from October. The best time to view snow and to ski is from November to March. Ice and snow begin to melt from April, but visitors can still find snow somewhere even in May.
How to Get There:
Erdaobaihe County is the nearest county to Changbai Mountain. There are trains from Tonghua, Changchun, Dandong, etc. and coaches from Yanji, Shenyang, Changchun, Jilin City, and Antu. The nearest airport is in Yanji, with airways from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian and Changchun. In Erdaobaihe County, visitors could rent an automobile in order to reach the Northern Slope and Western Slope Entrances, but not every car is allowed to go inside the mountain. Visitors can rent an automobile to reach the Heavenly Lake directly. Driving along the Yalu River, visitors have to drive on DPRK's land at some time.
Tips:
It is always very cool in Changbai Mountain; bring some thick clothes, such as sweater and overcoat is a clever choice. For the unexpected weather, visitors are highly recommended to bring water-proof clothes and skid-proof shoes.
 |
Previous article: Welcome to Changchun |
 |
Next article: Changchun Film City |
