Changbaishan Tianchi

Changbaishan Tianchi is a crater lake occupying the caldera of Mount Changbai (also called Baekdu) on the China-North Korea border. The lake is one of the most famous mountain lakes in northeast Asia and a major natural landmark in Jilin province.

The lake sits within a steep-walled caldera and is noted for its clear water and seasonal ice cover; the caldera rim rises sharply around the lake, producing vantage points and short trails for visitors. Popular viewpoints are clustered on the Chinese approach and facilities focus on viewing the lake and nearby waterfalls. The lake’s dimensions and depth make it an imposing volcanic crater lake within the regional mountain landscape.

The caldera and lake formed through volcanic activity of the Changbai/Paektu volcanic complex; the volcano has produced major eruptions in the past and the lake occupies the summit crater. Over time the area has been used as a sacred and cultural landmark and more recently as a protected scenic area with visitor infrastructure.

The lake lies in northeast China’s Jilin province near the international border with North Korea, on the slopes of the Changbai/Paektu volcano. The surrounding landscape is alpine forest and volcanic peaks, with most visitor access arranged from the Chinese side.

• Best time: The lake surface sits inside a volcanic caldera at high altitude and is frequently ice-covered in winter; best viewing months are late spring to early autumn when access and visibility are easiest.
• Border location: The site lies on the China-North Korea border; some viewpoints and trails are on the Chinese side in Jilin province.