Fifteen Gully Scenic Area

Fifteen Gully Scenic Area

The Fifteen Gully Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

The Fifteen Gully Scenic Area is a tourist attraction situated in Changbai Korean Autonomous County. It is 60 kilometers from the county seat and is classified as a national AAA-level tourist area, a national forest park, an upper reaches of the Yalu River national nature reserve, and a provincial geological park.

The area maintains its original ecological state with ancient trees, birdsongs, floral aromas, fish leaping, frog croaks, cascading waterfalls, and springs. The scenery features “verdant landscapes on both banks, the colorful clear river reflecting diverse forms, peculiar rocks showcasing nature’s artistry, and steep cliffs with waterfalls adding to the allure.” These enchanting sights attract domestic and international tourists who linger, reluctant to leave. It has become a popular destination in Northeast China for vacationing and scientific expeditions.

Major Attractions

Wangtian'e Scenic Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction. It has been approved by the State Council as the “Upper Reaches of the Yalu River National Nature Reserve” and is currently applying to become the “China Jilin Changbai Mountain Wangtian'e Volcano National Geological Park.” The scenic area is 50 kilometers from the Changbai county seat, located within the Wangtian'e Valley of the Fifteen Gully Scenic Area in Changbai Mountain. It stretches 76 Chinese miles, with the lowest elevation at 450 meters and the highest at 1,100 meters. Mount Wangtian'e stands at 2,051.4 meters, making it the second-highest peak in Northeast China. It is 32 kilometers from Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), and together with another volcano, forms the ridge of the Changbai Mountain range.

The peak of Mount Wangtian'e is a massive central vent and overflow basaltic volcanic mound, forming a large caldera. The valley contains uniquely distinctive volcanic geological relics and landscapes resulting from caldera activity. The main attractions of Wangtian'e Scenic Area are distributed within 13 kilometers north of the valley entrance. The area features stone walls and columnar peaks made of gray vesicular basalt, black dense massive basalt, and gray platy Anshan basalt. Their columnar joints are highly developed—mostly quadrilateral or hexagonal—and the horizontally developed joints resemble celestial ladders, while the radial ones look like a peacock spreading its tail. Vertically aligned joints form mostly four- or six-sided shapes, tightly packed and resembling a stone forest from afar, or closely laid sleepers pressed deep into the mountain, only their heads visible.

Viewed from afar, Mount Wangtian'e resembles a swan lifting its head and gazing into the distance—hence the name “Wangtian'e” (Gazing Swan). The main peak is surrounded by peculiar rocks and ancient trees, complementing the snowy crown of Changbai Mountain’s main peak. The scenic area is abundant in unique rocks and numerous springs and waterfalls, showcasing the wonders of nature’s craftsmanship. The waterfalls here are numerous and striking—some plunge powerfully, some delicately hang, and others seep quietly from rock crevices. It’s as if the mountains hide an invisible giant kettle endlessly pouring nectar. Notable waterfalls include Mushroom Spring Waterfall, Mother and Child Waterfall, Pearl Curtain Waterfall, and Nine-Tier Spring Waterfall, alongside countless unnamed ones, both large and small.

According to research and estimates by experts and scholars, the ecological forestry conservation and development value of the Wangtian'e Valley amounts to 500 million RMB. This includes 270 million RMB in potential value for forest vegetation conservation, 130 million RMB in economic value for wildlife conservation and development, 50 million RMB for the development of Chinese medicinal herbs and green food, 30 million RMB for cold-water fish and forest frogs, and 20 million RMB for tourism resources. The area hosts over 3,600 species of wild plants and more than 500 types of wildlife, making it a natural grand exhibition park of flora and fauna. It is honored as the “Natural Tourist Park and Green Three-Dimensional Treasure House.”

Wangtian'e Scenic Area is not only a renowned tourist spot in our province but also a great destination for photography enthusiasts. In autumn, we drove to the Fifteen Gully Scenic Area in Changbai County. The overwhelming impression upon entering was the area’s peculiar rocks. Stone pillars and walls on both sides of the valley stand alone or side by side. Lichen-covered rocks display a riot of colors. Though the rocks are emotionless, people have imbued them with character through vivid names such as “Heavenly Furnace,” “Heavenly Stairs,” “Peacock Spreading Its Tail,” and “Ruined Cliff Rock,” based on their lifelike shapes. Amidst the pristine pines and ancient trees, and under the glow of late autumn and early snow, these rocks appear even more majestic.

As we walked further, the sound of murmuring water grew louder. In the distance, clusters of waterfalls in various forms came into view, looking even more beautiful against the autumn hues. Scattered red leaves, dampened by the flowing water, clung to the rocks around the falls. The panorama resembled a beautiful village girl dressed in floral clothes, grooming herself by the water. Layers of moss retained their summer green, quietly accompanying the waterfalls of all sizes, listening to the murmuring springs tell their enchanting legends.

With night falling, we left Wangtian'e Scenic Area. As the wheels turned, the beautiful scenery gradually faded away, but the clusters of peculiar rocks, with their grandeur and magnificence, occasionally flashed before our eyes. The cascading waterfalls, with their charm and allure, seemed to still tinkle softly in our ears. Calming down and reflecting, the area brought us not just stunning views but also the realization that humans cannot be separated from nature. Only by treating nature kindly and protecting it can we secure a better living space and live more happily. May this earthly paradise—“where silver snakes dance in the stream, jade belts wind through the mountains, peculiar rocks show endless artistry, and strange cliffs surpass nature’s craft”—forever accompany us.

Travel Information

Transportation Information

The area is about 100 kilometers from Changbai County. A chartered car costs approximately 250 RMB.