Tianchi Lake on Changbai Mountain

Tianchi Lake on Changbai Mountain, also known as Heaven Lake on Baekdu Mountain, is located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province. It is a border lake between China and North Korea, with the northern part of the lake situated within Jilin Province. Changbai Mountain lies on the border between China and North Korea, boasts a majestic presence, abundant resources, and stunning scenery.

Best time to visit Changbai Mountain: For those who are sensitive to cold weather and prefer blooming flowers and lush vegetation, the best time to visit Tianchi Lake is from June to September. If you wish to experience the snow-covered landscape, the optimal period is from October to April of the following year. However, temperatures are very low during this time, so make sure to dress warmly.

In ancient times, Changbai Mountain was originally a volcano. According to historical records, it has erupted three more times since the 16th century. After the volcanic eruptions spewed large amounts of lava, the crater formed a basin-like shape. Over time, water accumulated to form the present-day Tianchi Lake. The lava materials ejected from the volcano piled up around the crater, forming 16 towering peaks. Seven of these peaks are located in North Korea, while nine are within China. Each of these nine peaks has its own unique features, creating a spectacular landscape.

Although surrounded by a range of peaks and with an elevation of only 2,194 meters, Tianchi Lake is the highest volcanic crater lake in China. It is roughly oval-shaped, measuring 4.85 kilometers in length from north to south, 3.35 kilometers in width from east to west, covering an area of 9.82 square kilometers, with a circumference of 13.1 kilometers. The lake is very deep, with an average depth of 204 meters and a maximum depth of 373 meters, making it the deepest lake in China. Its total water storage capacity is approximately 2 billion cubic meters.

Water from Tianchi Lake overflows through a small gap and flows about 1,000 meters before cascading down a cliff, forming the famous Changbai Mountain Waterfall. The waterfall is over 60 meters high and extremely spectacular. The roar of the waterfall can be heard from as far as 200 meters away. The water from the waterfall flows into the Songhua River, serving as one of its sources. Not far from the Changbai Waterfall is the Changbai Hot Springs, a hot spring group covering an area of 1,000 square meters with 13 springs gushing out.

Historical records describe the water of Tianchi as “not freezing in winter and free of duckweed in summer.” While it is true that there is no duckweed in the summer, the lake does freeze in winter — the ice layer is typically 1.2 meters thick, and the freezing period lasts for six to seven months. However, there are also several hot springs within Tianchi, forming hot spring zones about 150 meters long and 30–40 meters wide. The water temperature remains around 42 degrees Celsius even in the depths of winter, producing steam and melting snow. As a result, some people also call Tianchi “Warm-Cool Lake.”

Aside from water, Tianchi is mainly surrounded by massive rocks. There was originally no life in the lake, but in recent years, a species of cold-water fish — the rainbow trout — has been found in Tianchi. This fish grows slowly but has delicious meat. Being able to taste it while visiting Changbai Mountain is considered a great delicacy. It is said that the rainbow trout in Tianchi were introduced by North Korea. There are also occasional reports of people spotting monsters swimming in the lake. Relevant departments have set up a “Tianchi Monster Observation Station” near the lake. Scientists have conducted long-term observations and captured precious footage, confirming the presence of unidentified creatures in the water. However, the exact species remains unclear.

Multiple tests have been conducted on the water of Tianchi, proving that there are no living organisms in it. If there are no creatures in the water, what would a monster eat? These series of questions add to the mystery and beauty of Tianchi, attracting more and more visitors.

Changbai Mountain

Wangtianhe Scenic Area

Chengcha River

Changbai Mountain International Natural Skiing Park

Changbai Hot Spring Group

Baiyun Peak

Changbai Stone Forest Scenic Area

Changbai Mountain Plateau Ice and Snow Sports Training Base

Tiger’s Back

Secluded Valley Forest

Changbai Mountain Waterfall

Northeast Tiger Forest Park in Eastern Changbai Mountain

Niulang Ferry

Changbai Mountain Cold Spring

Changbai Mountain Grand Canyon

Little Tianchi Lake on Changbai Mountain

Changbai Mountain Volcano Group

Forest Sea at the Bottom of Changbai Mountain Valley