Small Tianchi Lake of Changbai

Small Tianchi Lake of Changbai

Small Tianchi Lake is located 3 kilometers north of the Changbai Waterfall, and there are two of them in total. One is hidden in the tranquil yew forests at an altitude of 1773 meters. The lake is circular, covering an area of 5380 square meters, with a depth of over 10 meters and emerald-green water. About 200 meters from this small lake, there is another circular pool similar in size to the first, except that it is very shallow, only a few meters deep, and sometimes dries up, exposing yellow soil. Viewed from above, one is blue and the other is golden-yellow, resembling a pair of golden and silver cups—hence people also call Small Tianchi “the Twin Cups Lake,” offering a unique scenic view. It is also known as Silver Ring Lake, surrounded by mountains and diverse-shaped yew forests, with clear, tranquil, and elegant waters. It served as a filming location for the TV dramas “The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain” and “Journey to the West.”

West Small Tianchi Lake is located by the road, two kilometers at the foot of Tianchi. Its surface is shaped like a full moon, with clear and deep water. Surrounded by Tianshan pine trees, the lake reflects the shadows of the pines. Sometimes under the bright moonlight, the still reflection sinks like jade, presenting an infinitely serene scene, hence it is also called “Dragon Pool and Emerald Moon.” Beside the pool hangs a waterfall, like a Milky Way descending to earth, with water droplets splashing like pearls and jade. At the mountain peak above the pool stands the Taotao Pavilion, exquisitely delicate. Some draw inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology, saying that West Small Tianchi is the heavenly mirror used by the Queen Mother of the West for grooming.

West Small Tianchi Lake is also a barrier lake formed during ancient glacial movements. It mainly relies on Tianchi for its water supply. Tianchi, East Small Tianchi, and West Small Tianchi can be called the "Mother and Daughters Lakes." The large Tianchi is the mother, while the East and West Small Tianchi are the daughters, which is why they are also referred to as the Sister Lakes. East Small Tianchi lies to the east, at a higher elevation and slightly larger, making it the "elder sister," while West Small Tianchi lies to the west, at a lower elevation and smaller in size, making it the "younger sister." The two lakes are "separated by several kilometers, connected by a winding mountain road."

West Small Tianchi Lake is located beside the “Fifty Turns” road. Travelers passing by by car can clearly see the lake through the window, hence it is also called “Little Dragon Pool,” “Little Dragon Waterfall,” or “White Crane Pond.”

East Small Tianchi Lake is nestled within dense primeval forests, with shrubs around the shore and large rocks scattered about. The lake water is dark green and often rippled. Few people visit East Small Tianchi, giving it an especially eerie and mysterious feel. Though not as large as West Small Tianchi, it offers unique and unspoiled scenery with an extraordinary ambiance. When water flows out from East Small Tianchi, it forms a tall waterfall. This waterfall, like a white silk hanging in the air, cascades down with a thunderous roar. The splashing mist creates a hazy veil, and when hit by sunlight, tiny rainbows appear. Thick beads of water fall like drizzle, washing the moss, rocks, flowers, and trees on both sides. When water from Tianchi flows down toward the northeast and encounters a cliff, it forms a spectacular waterfall. The plunge pool eroded by this waterfall is East Small Tianchi. Legend says it is the nest of a little flying dragon, so it is also called Flying Dragon Pool. Another legend claims it is where the Queen Mother of the West bathed and groomed herself, hence it is also known as “Grooming Stream” or “Bathing Immortal Basin.”

Flying Dragon Pool is not only extremely secluded but also features two waterfalls hanging from one pool. Above, it connects to the “Flying Dragon Feeding” waterfall with a drop of over 10 meters, and below, it cascades down the Hundred-Zhang Cliff, forming the “Hanging Spring and Jade Rainbow” waterfall, with water droplets splashing like pearls and jade. The water from Flying Dragon Pool plunges down from a hundred-meter-high cliff, flowing like silver and jade, with a thunderous sound. Under the sunlight, rainbows dance across, thus it is called “Hanging Spring Waterfall.” An ancient poem describes it: “Pearls of springs hang halfway in the sky, silver chains sway high in the mist. Wisps of smoke float over the radiant sun, while a long rainbow spans the green ridges.”

Changbai Mountain

Wangtianhe Scenic Area

Heaven Lake of Changbai Mountain

Chengcha River

Changbai Mountain International Natural Ski Park

Changbai Hot Spring Group

Changbai Stone Forest Scenic Area

Baiyun Peak

Changbai Mountain Plateau Ice and Snow Sports Training Base

Tiger’s Back

Secluded Valley Forest

Changbai Mountain Waterfall

Northeast Tiger Forest Park of Changbai Mountain

Niulang Ferry

Changbai Mountain Cold Spring

Changbai Mountain Grand Canyon

Changbai Mountain Volcano Group

Forest Sea at the Bottom of Changbai Mountain Valley