Changbaishan 长白山 Travel Guide

Changbaishan is China’s largest nature reserve remotely located straddling the China – North Korea border in the east of China’s Jilin province. The terrain ranges from dense birch and Korean pine forests to treeless alpine above 2,000m. When you reach the stop the reward is the stunning Heaven Lake – a volcanic crater lake revered by Koreans as the birth place of North Korea’s late leader Kim Jong Il (not true!) and is known in the DPRK as Paekdusan.

To see a relatively untouched wilderness area and the stunning crater lake.

Heaven Lake is the main reason for taking the time to visit Changbaishan. At an elevation the 2,194m the water is a deep blue and the views impressive on a clear day. It could well be the closest you get to North Korea as well. The Changbai Shan Canyon makes for a good walk. Although the whole length is 70km most people only walk a few of those. The river running out of Heaven lake creates a 68m high waterfall which is the source of the Songhua and Tumen Rivers. For climbers the 2,749m White Rock Peak is the highest point but be prepared for sudden weather changes and high winds.

Changbaishan is certainly off the China beaten track but is well worth a stop as part of a general tour of North East China. It is best visited as part of a group to keep costs down.

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By Phil Stanley & Headseast – TCTC Destination Expert.