Landmark Attractions In Ryanggang Province

Changbaishan Tour (Paektu Mountain & Heaven Lake) / 长白山自然保护区 (백두산 / 천지 / 天池)

Heaven Lake (Tianchi) / 천지 / 天池 in the Changbaishan National Nature Reserve / 长白山自然保护区 is a crater lake on the border between China and North Korea within a caldera atop the volcanic Paektu Mountain / 백두산 (I read somewhere that the Chinese were not happy about North Korean nuke tests as it may have disturbed the volcano which last erupted in the 1700s), a part of the Baekdudaegan mountain range and the Changbai mountain range. It is located partly in Ryanggang Province, North Korea and partly in Jilin Province, northeastern China.

The caldera which contains Heaven Lake was created by the 946 eruption of Paektu Mountain.The lake has a surface elevation of 2,189.1 m (7,182 ft). The lake covers an area of 9.82 km2 (3.79 sq mi) with a south-north length of 4.85 km (3.01 mi) and east-west length of 3.35 km (2.08 mi). The average depth of the lake is 213 m (699 ft) and maximum depth of 384 m (1,260 ft). From mid-October to mid-June, it is typically covered with ice.

Considered to be the birthplace of the Korean people, the Manchus similarly consider it to be sacred, as the mountain was taboo for most of Qing China's history. The area is also associated with Korean independence fighters during the Japanese occupation. Kim Jong-il, echoing the legend, claims the mountain as his birthplace as well. In 1962, the mountain was split and given to China by North Korea in a border agreement, which to this day remains a highly controversial move. South Korea does not acknowledge the agreement. Heaven Lake is also alleged to be home to the Lake Tianchi Monster.

Main stops on the Northern Slope:

- Tian Chi/ Heaven Lake / 천지 / 天池 / 长白山天池 is the Highlight of Changbaishan, this deep-blue volcanic crater lake at the top of the mountain is surrounded by 16 mountain peaks. In some years, it keeps being frozen even in June. The lake marks the boundary of China and North Korea. The mountain belongs to the five holy mountains of Korea. You have to take the Jeep to get to the mountain (16km). The walking path from the waterfall to the Heaven Lake is closed! It is less crowded in the afternoon hours.
- Changbai Waterfall / 长白瀑布 (68 meter) Erdaobai River runs off Heaven Lake and creates the longest volcanic waterfall in the world. Snowmelt from the Heavens Lake cascades down a volcanic landscape.
- On the way to the waterfall there natural hot springs- you can enjoy a bath in the bathhouse. The springs are hot enough to boil eggs and corn.
- Emerald Lake. The Pond is surrounded by trees and cliffs. A waterfall of 25 meters flows into the pond with green water.
- Underground forest (12km from the north gate) is a nice walking area.