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 forest at an altitude of 1,773 meters, with a circular lake surface covering an area of 5,380 square meters and a depth of over 10 meters. The water is emerald green. About 200 meters from the small lake, there is another circular pool of similar size, but with much shallower water—only a few meters deep—and it sometimes dries up, exposing yellow soil. Viewed from above, one is azure blue and the other golden-yellow, resembling a pair of gold and silver cups. Hence, people also call Small Tianchi Lake the "Twin Cups Lake," offering a unique scenic view. Also known as Silver Ring Lake, it is surrounded by mountains and diverse-shaped yew forests, with clear and serene waters. It served as an outdoor filming location for the TV dramas *Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain* and *Journey to the West*.

　　The West Small Tianchi Lake is located by the roadside, two kilometers at the foot of the main Tianchi Lake. Its surface is shaped like a full moon, with cool and deep waters. Surrounded by Tianshan pine trees, the lake reflects the shadows of the pines. On a clear night when the moon hangs high, the still moonlight sinks into the water like a mirror, creating an infinitely serene scene, hence it is also called Dragon Pool and Moonlight. Beside the pool, a waterfall cascades down like a Milky Way falling to earth, splashing pearls and jade. At the mountaintop above the pool stands the Taotao Pavilion, delicate and unique. Some draw upon ancient Chinese mythology, saying that the West Small Tianchi Lake is the heavenly queen mother’s dressing mirror.

　　The West Small Tianchi Lake is also a barrier lake formed during ancient glacial movements. It mainly relies on the main Tianchi Lake for water supply. The main Tianchi Lake, East Small Tianchi Lake, and West Small Tianchi Lake can be called the "Mother and Daughters Lakes." The large Tianchi Lake is the mother, while the east and west small lakes are the daughters, which is why they are also referred to as the "Sister Lakes." The East Small Tianchi Lake lies to the east, at a higher elevation and slightly larger, making it the "elder sister," while the West Small Tianchi Lake 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."

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

　　The East Small Tianchi Lake is nestled within dense primeval forests, with thick underbrush and scattered boulders along its shore. The lake water is dark green and often rippled. Few people visit the East Small Tianchi Lake, giving it an especially eerie and mysterious atmosphere. Though not as large as the West Small Tianchi Lake, it features unique scenery, remains untouched, and has an extraordinary charm. When water flows out from the East Small Tianchi Lake, it forms a tall waterfall. This waterfall cascades down like a white silk ribbon hanging in midair, with a thunderous roar. The misty spray created by the waterfall can form tiny rainbows when hit by sunlight. Thick droplets, like a fine drizzle, wash the moss, rocks, and plants on both sides clean. When the water from the Tianchi Lake flows downward toward the northeast and encounters a cliff, it forms a spectacular waterfall. The plunge pool eroded by this waterfall is the East Small Tianchi Lake. Legend says it is the lair of a little flying dragon, hence it is also called Flying Dragon Pool. Another legend claims this is where the Queen Mother of the West bathed and groomed herself, thus it is also known as "Grooming Stream" or "Bathing Immortal Basin."

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