Changbai Mountain, Jilin
Chinese name: 吉林长白山
English Name: Changbai Mountain, Jilin
Type: Nature & Mountain, Waterfalls, Hot Spring, Sights
Best Time: June to September and mid-November to March of next year
Recommended Visiting Time: 2-3 days
Opening Hours: Changbai Mountain North Slope Scenic Area: 07:00-16:00 all around the year. Changbai Mountain West Slope Scenic Area of Changbai: 07:00-15:00
Tickets: ¥125 for tickets and ¥85 for eco-bus
Location: Chibei District, Erdaobaihe Town, Antu County, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province
Why is the Changbai Mountain So Special?
Changbai Mountain is one of the ten famous mountains in China. Changbai Mountain was called Buxian Mountain(不咸山) in Shanhaijing(山海经), Tai Mountain(太山) in Northern Wei Dynasty(北魏), Taibai Mountain(太白山) in Tang Dynasty(唐朝) and have began to be called Changbai Mountain since Song Dynasties(宋朝). It is the birthplace of the Manchu ethnic people(满族人) and has the reputation of holy land in the Qing Dynasty(清朝). The emperor must personally or appoint ministers to go Changbai Mountain to worship heaven.
History of Changbai Mountain
Nvzhen ethnic people in the Jin Dynasty(renamed as Manchu Ethnic Nationality by Huangtaiji(皇太极)) always regarded Changbai Mountain as their birthplace. They often worshipped the Changbai Mountain in order to bless the prosperity of their country and the everlasting emperor.
In 1172, Wanyan Yong(完颜雍, the fifth emperor of Jin Dynasty) appointed Changbai Mountain as the King of Xingguolingying(兴国灵应王), and ordered the famous Imperial Academy to compose the Book of Changbai Mountain as the King of Xingguolingying. The article tries to deify Changbai Mountain. In 1175, Wanyan Yong built the Lingying King Temple in the north of Changbai Mountains. He ordered the ministers to worship the temple with this book.
In the eleventh year of Wanli(万历十一年) in the Ming Dynasty, Nurhachi(努尔哈赤) led the army and finally led the Eight Banners(八旗) into the Central Plains in 1644, establishing the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, the Qing Dynasty has always regarded Changbai Mountain as the birthplace of the holy ancestors and honored it as the God of Changbai Mountain.
Main Attractions of Changbai Mountain
Changbai Mountain is a layered giant compound dormant volcano. There have been four major eruptions in the past 6000 years. The last eruption in 1199-1200 is one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the history of the earth. The Tianchi Lake, located on the top of Changbai Mountains, with an elevation of 2189.1 meters, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest volcanic crater lake in the world. The water in Tianchi Lake flows through the Chengcha River(乘槎河), forming a 68-meter-drop Changbai Waterfall, like the Milky Way hanging upside down. The waterfall is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as largest volcanic waterfall in the world.
Tianchi Lake(天池)
The Tianchi Lake is located at the top of the volcanic cone of the main peak of Changbai Mountain. It is a volcanic crater. After a long period of time, it has accumulated water to form a lake. The Tianchi Lake is oval in shape and the highest and largest alpine lake in China. It is the birthplace of three major rivers in Northeast China: Songhua River(松花江), Yalu River(鸭绿江) and Tumen River(图们江).
Changbai Waterfalls Group(长白瀑布群)
There is a gap between Tianwen Peak and Longmen Peak on the north side of Tianchi Lake. The water overflows from the gap and flows northward through the cliff and forms a group of waterfalls with a drop of 68 meters. It is the first attraction of Changbai Mountain and the largest waterfall group in Northeast China. It connects with Tianchi on the top and opens Erdaobai River on the bottom, which is the main source of Songhua River.
Julong Spring(聚龙泉)
Julong Spring is the largest, most widely distributed and highest hot spring in the hot spring group, which can be called the first spring in Changbai Mountain. It is located at about 900 meters north of Changbai Falls. It covers an area of more than 1000 square meters, and Erdaobai River passes through the hot springs. On the right side of the river, the springs are concentrated. Countless heat flows from the ground, like a group of dragons spraying water, so the name of Julong Spring, in the lower part of Julong Spring built a Yishen Bath(怡神浴).
Black Wind Gap(黑风口)
Mountaineering along the northern slope to Tianchi, at the junction of Yuehua Forest Belt and alpine tundra, a natural gap is formed, which is known as the Black Wind Gap of Changbai Mountain. You can enjoy the whole picture of Changbai Waterfall in the gap. You also can see the U-shaped valley from the top of the gap. Looking up from the bottom of the U-shaped Valley to the Black Wind Gap, the gap becomes the gate of the castle, which opens between the two castles and is known as the Nantianmen(南天门, the gate of heaven). On the gap, there are often swallows. The cliff cliff is just the nest of swallows.
How to Get There
In the surrounding cities, Changchun, Tonghua, Jilin and Yanji all have airports which can get to Changbai MOuntai. Yanji airport is the closest to Changbai Mountain, and Yanji airport is located in the west of Yanji city. Fly to the Yanji Airport then go to the Yanji South Coach Station. There have the shuttle bus which is running to Changbai MOuntain. Here also is another way to Changbai Mountain. Tourist can go to the Baihe Town by coach or train then transfer to the Changbai Mountain.
How to Get Around in the Changbai Mountain
Changbai Mountain Scenic Area has a unified eco-car by the official for tourist, which is departing every 15mins. eco-car departing from the entrance of scenic spots usually drive directly to the nearest station from the top of the slope, then turn back and stop at each scenic spot in turn. Travelers will purchase the ticket at Visitor Center. Travelers can take cable car to from the the entrance of Changbai Mountain and the price is ¥85/person. It is unlimited number of rides on the same day. It should be noted that the top of the north slope is close to the top of the mountain, and Tianchi can be seen in a few minutes’walk. It takes more than 1400 steps to reach the top of the mountain for the car to descend from the West slope.
Useful Travel Tips
1.Best Time to Visit
June to September is the best time to travel in Changbai Mountain. July to August is the peak season of tourism, and mid-November to March of next year is the skiing season.
2. Tickets
The entrance ticket for the Changbai Mountai is ¥125/person. The ticket for eco-car in the scenic area is ¥85/person.
3. Best Time to See Tianchi Lake
In October, the sunshine rate is high, and the probability of seeing the Tianchi Lake is relatively high. In the course of the day, it is most likely to see the Tianchi Lake between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
