Changbaishan Tianchi
Changbaishan Tianchi
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CSSNAKEW
Beijing, China73 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
My husband and I went to Changbai Mountain a couple of weeks ago. We were so looking forward to see the Heavenly Lake at the top of the mountain so we tried to climb up from both west side of the mountain (Xi Po) and the north side (Bei Po). However, there are only 25% of travellers who are lucky enough to get to see the breath taking view of the lake and we weren't falling into that racket.
However, we still quite enjoyed our experiences in that area and we also want to share a quite few useful tips with everyone since we couldn't find a lot of the information when we were planing our trip so here we go:
a) When is actually the best time to go?
We were debating quite bit regarding when we should go there during our planing. However, with our personal experiences and after our discussion with the locals, here are some suggestions for you:
A lot of locals actually suggest people to come to that area around fall / winter time. It is quite cold, not to mention you will have to deal with the mountain weather, but you will have more opportunities to get to see the lake since it will be windy and less clouds at the top of the mountain. For fall, you will be seeing the leaf colour changing and for winter time, you can enjoy the nice and well developed ski resort in that area. Summer time is nice because the temperature will be cooler compare it with other hot places but it will also come with a lot of rain (especially for this year) and clouds.
b) What shall we wear?
We have did a lot of research for this question and again, with our own experiences, be aware of the mountain weather. It could be sunny at the bottom of the mountain but as the higher you go, it could get quite cold and wet. We will suggest you to bring some warm clothing especially with waterproof materials. However, there is no need to be dress up as the super professional mountain hikers and you will see why in my next question.
c) How is the hike to the top of the mountain and the whole area?
Changbai Mountain is a very well developed area for all travellers. You won't be needing serious mountain hiking gears because, you barely need to hike!!! It doesn't matter where you will be enter into the Changbai Mountain, you will be required to take their bus. Their bus will be taking you to the nearest spot of the top and from there, it is all easy hike with some nice made hills and stairs.
d) Where shall I Stay?
We stayed at the Horizon Resort and unfortunately we couldn't find them here so we would like to write a review. However, I would suggest a lot of travellers to just stay at Wanda Resort area. It is well developed and trust me, with places like that, you don't want to stay in the middle of no where and stuck with the restaurants from your hotel!
Well, that's really what I have in the top of my head at the current moment and I hope I can share it with you and also help you in a way ! However, if you have other questions, feel free to contact me here and I would always like to help you with your trip planing !!!
Best of the luck!
CSSNAKEW
However, we still quite enjoyed our experiences in that area and we also want to share a quite few useful tips with everyone since we couldn't find a lot of the information when we were planing our trip so here we go:
a) When is actually the best time to go?
We were debating quite bit regarding when we should go there during our planing. However, with our personal experiences and after our discussion with the locals, here are some suggestions for you:
A lot of locals actually suggest people to come to that area around fall / winter time. It is quite cold, not to mention you will have to deal with the mountain weather, but you will have more opportunities to get to see the lake since it will be windy and less clouds at the top of the mountain. For fall, you will be seeing the leaf colour changing and for winter time, you can enjoy the nice and well developed ski resort in that area. Summer time is nice because the temperature will be cooler compare it with other hot places but it will also come with a lot of rain (especially for this year) and clouds.
b) What shall we wear?
We have did a lot of research for this question and again, with our own experiences, be aware of the mountain weather. It could be sunny at the bottom of the mountain but as the higher you go, it could get quite cold and wet. We will suggest you to bring some warm clothing especially with waterproof materials. However, there is no need to be dress up as the super professional mountain hikers and you will see why in my next question.
c) How is the hike to the top of the mountain and the whole area?
Changbai Mountain is a very well developed area for all travellers. You won't be needing serious mountain hiking gears because, you barely need to hike!!! It doesn't matter where you will be enter into the Changbai Mountain, you will be required to take their bus. Their bus will be taking you to the nearest spot of the top and from there, it is all easy hike with some nice made hills and stairs.
d) Where shall I Stay?
We stayed at the Horizon Resort and unfortunately we couldn't find them here so we would like to write a review. However, I would suggest a lot of travellers to just stay at Wanda Resort area. It is well developed and trust me, with places like that, you don't want to stay in the middle of no where and stuck with the restaurants from your hotel!
Well, that's really what I have in the top of my head at the current moment and I hope I can share it with you and also help you in a way ! However, if you have other questions, feel free to contact me here and I would always like to help you with your trip planing !!!
Best of the luck!
CSSNAKEW
Written 13 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ankyfire
Shanghai, China694 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
[disclaimer: This is the same review I posted before, as there are two entries for Changbaishan, and I think my review might be helpful.]
North slope: First you take a bus to a interchange "station" from where you take buses to other places. To go to Heavenly lake (Tianchi) you need to get an extra ticket (near where the buses stop, 80¥) and pass through a gate on the other side of the parking lot (I thought it was an entrance to a deer enclosure). There you take small buses to Tianchi - it's a fun ride, as the drivers take the turns super fast! The hike uphill is very easy and short and there are plenty of people, if you're lucky and the weather is good, the view is pretty great. Unfortunately the path closer to North Korea is closed. Then you can go to a waterfall, heavenly lake (same bus, two stops), and a "dell forest" which is the longest hike in the area (it's said it takes 80 minutes, but it's very easy to walk faster, for me it was about 50) Overall: surprisingly pricey (210¥ +80¥ for Tianchi), great sights, although I'd prefer more actual hiking than just the bus rides (although I have to give it to them, the places are super far away from one another)
West slope: again pricey (210¥) but no additional costs. Soon after I got onto the bus to the beginning of the trail, I lost coverage so remember to bring cash as wechat money will not suffice! Now for the trail... 1442 stairs with a few rest stops on the way (you can pay to be carried in a sedan chair!) and the view of the way is unobstructed and absolutely breathtaking. I was also lucky as it rained in the morning and stopped right when l started the hike - and when I was going downhill it got cloudy, but thanks to the bad weather there were just few people. After Tianchi lake you can go to a canyon, which is very pretty (although not very special), it's also a pleasant, not strenuous hike. And there are chipmunks!
If you have only one day I'd say west slope is the better option.
What's more: if you're unprepared, you can rent warm coats. It gets surprisingly cold - I went mid-June and although a fleece jacket was enough, I was sometimes a bit chilly, especially at the top. Also, the weather changes in a matter of minutes, so have a raincoat! There are some stands with food - mostly corn, eggs, and instant noodles, so it's probably a good idea to pack some snacks. Also, people everywhere in the area are super friendly, but they do not speak English (and why would they - during the two days there I met only Chinese and Koreans) - so prepare your google translate!
North slope: First you take a bus to a interchange "station" from where you take buses to other places. To go to Heavenly lake (Tianchi) you need to get an extra ticket (near where the buses stop, 80¥) and pass through a gate on the other side of the parking lot (I thought it was an entrance to a deer enclosure). There you take small buses to Tianchi - it's a fun ride, as the drivers take the turns super fast! The hike uphill is very easy and short and there are plenty of people, if you're lucky and the weather is good, the view is pretty great. Unfortunately the path closer to North Korea is closed. Then you can go to a waterfall, heavenly lake (same bus, two stops), and a "dell forest" which is the longest hike in the area (it's said it takes 80 minutes, but it's very easy to walk faster, for me it was about 50) Overall: surprisingly pricey (210¥ +80¥ for Tianchi), great sights, although I'd prefer more actual hiking than just the bus rides (although I have to give it to them, the places are super far away from one another)
West slope: again pricey (210¥) but no additional costs. Soon after I got onto the bus to the beginning of the trail, I lost coverage so remember to bring cash as wechat money will not suffice! Now for the trail... 1442 stairs with a few rest stops on the way (you can pay to be carried in a sedan chair!) and the view of the way is unobstructed and absolutely breathtaking. I was also lucky as it rained in the morning and stopped right when l started the hike - and when I was going downhill it got cloudy, but thanks to the bad weather there were just few people. After Tianchi lake you can go to a canyon, which is very pretty (although not very special), it's also a pleasant, not strenuous hike. And there are chipmunks!
If you have only one day I'd say west slope is the better option.
What's more: if you're unprepared, you can rent warm coats. It gets surprisingly cold - I went mid-June and although a fleece jacket was enough, I was sometimes a bit chilly, especially at the top. Also, the weather changes in a matter of minutes, so have a raincoat! There are some stands with food - mostly corn, eggs, and instant noodles, so it's probably a good idea to pack some snacks. Also, people everywhere in the area are super friendly, but they do not speak English (and why would they - during the two days there I met only Chinese and Koreans) - so prepare your google translate!
Written 19 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chan henry
Singapore, Singapore344 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
There are two “TianChi 天池” in China, one in Xinjiang (Tianshan Tianchi 天山天池) at the West and the other on top of Changbai Mountain at the East (Changbaishan Tianchi 长白山天池).
The Changbaishan Tianchi is located at the China Eastern border with North Korea. It’s a dormant volcano lake – in the amazingly beautiful caldera on Changbai Mountain. Locals also believe there are some monsters in it. Some shops in the mountain area display photos capturing some images but yet to be proven (another similar story such as Loch Ness Monster in UK?).
Going up the summit is easy as AWD vehicles are available to bring visitors up. Tianchi - the crater lake is just a short walk from the summit station. Weather at the top is unpredictable, there could be snow or fog, cloud and rain any time throughout the year. Don’t be too disappointed if you cannot catch a clear view on Tianchi. Locals say you need good luck to see this heavenly lake. So be prepared for the unpredictable weather and just be there. Whichever month you go, it is wise to bring along a water-proof wind-breaker. The locals say, snow can be expected from October to June and raining often from July to September. So, you bet and good luck!
Take note that July to September is high season for this very popular attraction, and there will be sea of people (locals and tourists). There will be long queues everywhere, particularly transports to the summit.
The Changbaishan Tianchi is located at the China Eastern border with North Korea. It’s a dormant volcano lake – in the amazingly beautiful caldera on Changbai Mountain. Locals also believe there are some monsters in it. Some shops in the mountain area display photos capturing some images but yet to be proven (another similar story such as Loch Ness Monster in UK?).
Going up the summit is easy as AWD vehicles are available to bring visitors up. Tianchi - the crater lake is just a short walk from the summit station. Weather at the top is unpredictable, there could be snow or fog, cloud and rain any time throughout the year. Don’t be too disappointed if you cannot catch a clear view on Tianchi. Locals say you need good luck to see this heavenly lake. So be prepared for the unpredictable weather and just be there. Whichever month you go, it is wise to bring along a water-proof wind-breaker. The locals say, snow can be expected from October to June and raining often from July to September. So, you bet and good luck!
Take note that July to September is high season for this very popular attraction, and there will be sea of people (locals and tourists). There will be long queues everywhere, particularly transports to the summit.
Written 26 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mattfs218
Vancouver, Canada107 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
I took a taxi from a nearby hotel to see Changbaishan from the northern slope. Beware of a scam where a taxi driver takes you to a shop house outside of the main gates and claims the clothes you are wearing are insufficient to go to the top of the mountain. I went 2 March 2014
In my instance I was with my 20 month old son, so I was airing on the side of caution. They put on these shin guards and gave us a cheap jacket for my son and charged us 150 RMB. I have never been to the mountain so I assumed we might need to hike through snow or something. But this is just a SCAM.
It is cold at the top of the mountain, but it's mostly from the wind. A face mask might be useful, but the items they had us "rent" were absolutely unnecessary. I assumed I would get part of the 150 RMB I gave them back as a deposit, but I was wrong....and it's clear the shop owners are aware of this rip from their reaction when I asked for money back.
My hotel Concierge took care of the issue when I returned to the hotel with my taxi driver, but better to avoid the situation all together.
Otherwise the park was awesome, there is a bus and a 4x4 vehicle to the top. Everything is well organized and kept up well. Bathrooms were the best public bathrooms I have seen in China.
In my instance I was with my 20 month old son, so I was airing on the side of caution. They put on these shin guards and gave us a cheap jacket for my son and charged us 150 RMB. I have never been to the mountain so I assumed we might need to hike through snow or something. But this is just a SCAM.
It is cold at the top of the mountain, but it's mostly from the wind. A face mask might be useful, but the items they had us "rent" were absolutely unnecessary. I assumed I would get part of the 150 RMB I gave them back as a deposit, but I was wrong....and it's clear the shop owners are aware of this rip from their reaction when I asked for money back.
My hotel Concierge took care of the issue when I returned to the hotel with my taxi driver, but better to avoid the situation all together.
Otherwise the park was awesome, there is a bus and a 4x4 vehicle to the top. Everything is well organized and kept up well. Bathrooms were the best public bathrooms I have seen in China.
Written 2 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
7,589 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
My son and I had arrived in Fuson (a village 30 minutes away from the west entrance to changbaishan) on the previous night. taxis were easily hailed on the street in front of the hotel. the rate was 150 yuan to go and return i.e. day rate. The ticket office opens at 7:30am on weekdays and 7am on weekends. I would advise that you get there half an hour before the office opens to avoid crowds.
The entrance fee for adults is 220 yuan, and includes park entry, insurance and bus rides throughout the park to the different attractions and gift shops. We were on the first bus out at approximately 7:45am.and reached the bus park at the beginning of the climb by 8:30am. Sit on the right side of the bus to get better pictures on the way up.
There are over 1,400 steps which take about 30 minutes to climb depending on your level of fitness. If arriving early it is much easier to go at your own pace. When there are crowds, the hike up becomes even more difficult as the steps are narrow and persons stop to rest. we were at the summit by 9am and there were very few people (maybe 20). There were no clouds, and the lake was a beautiful clear blue, which contrasted with the green banks around the lake. The clouds in the sky could be seen clearly in the reflection of the lake.
We spent 30 minutes walking around and taking pictures. Do not forget to take a picture of the North Korea border marker. The trek down was done in 15 minutes. Once back at the bus park at the beginning of the climb, there is an option to head to the Canyon, and the gift shops that the bus stops at on the way down, or to head straight back to the ticket office. We had read reports on the Canyon, and had decided that we would only do the climb to the lake and return.
The bus ride down took 30 minutes, and we had completed the tour in 2 1/2 hours. Our intention was to catch the mid-day flight to Changchun, which we achieved, as the airport was a 20 minute drive from the ticket office. The northern slope is also an option, but the drive from our location would have added an additional 2 hours. To fully experience the park, it may be necessary to tackle both approaches. There are hotels in the park, but reservations may have to be made up to 6 months in advance.
This was probably the most beautiful scenic area that we saw on our travels through China, and was well worth the price of the short visit.
The entrance fee for adults is 220 yuan, and includes park entry, insurance and bus rides throughout the park to the different attractions and gift shops. We were on the first bus out at approximately 7:45am.and reached the bus park at the beginning of the climb by 8:30am. Sit on the right side of the bus to get better pictures on the way up.
There are over 1,400 steps which take about 30 minutes to climb depending on your level of fitness. If arriving early it is much easier to go at your own pace. When there are crowds, the hike up becomes even more difficult as the steps are narrow and persons stop to rest. we were at the summit by 9am and there were very few people (maybe 20). There were no clouds, and the lake was a beautiful clear blue, which contrasted with the green banks around the lake. The clouds in the sky could be seen clearly in the reflection of the lake.
We spent 30 minutes walking around and taking pictures. Do not forget to take a picture of the North Korea border marker. The trek down was done in 15 minutes. Once back at the bus park at the beginning of the climb, there is an option to head to the Canyon, and the gift shops that the bus stops at on the way down, or to head straight back to the ticket office. We had read reports on the Canyon, and had decided that we would only do the climb to the lake and return.
The bus ride down took 30 minutes, and we had completed the tour in 2 1/2 hours. Our intention was to catch the mid-day flight to Changchun, which we achieved, as the airport was a 20 minute drive from the ticket office. The northern slope is also an option, but the drive from our location would have added an additional 2 hours. To fully experience the park, it may be necessary to tackle both approaches. There are hotels in the park, but reservations may have to be made up to 6 months in advance.
This was probably the most beautiful scenic area that we saw on our travels through China, and was well worth the price of the short visit.
Written 27 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
durianwool2
Dallas, TX4 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
Also known as Mt Baekdu to North Koreans, this is a volcano with a caldera that is by itself very beautiful. The fact that it is shared with North Korea makes it even more interesting. It is said by North Koreans that Kim Jong Il was born at the sacred mountain.
We drove all the way from Beijing, and as with any long drive in China is always interesting. We took 2 days to drive and passed through the provinces of Jilin and Liaoning, and as the journey went deeper into the smaller towns, things got more interesting.
Instead of taking the main road, we branched off to take the S303 which runs along the Yalu River that acts as the border between China and NK. The border point started at the town of Linjiang. We were literally a stone's throw away from NK.
The contrast in scenery between the China side and NK was apparent. On the Chinese side, there were lots of people and shops, not so many farms. On the NK side, houses were made of wood, and farms grew all the way up the hills. Where there are villages or houses, there's a big picture of the founder Kim Il Sung.
As it was getting dark, we stopped at the small border town of Changbaizhen (http://goo.gl/TvW8IO). Its one of those surreal places where hardly any foreigners go to, but it is a thriving town where a lot of ethnic Chinese Koreans and Hans do business everyday trading with the opposite NK town of Hyesan.
Most Chinese are themselves very curious of the hermit kingdom too. So much so that there is a small park built where curious visitors can sit and observe the other side.
On the NK side, every few hundred metres, there's a small guardhouse looking back into the town, presumably they are more concerned of people getting out of the country rather than looking out at China.
By dusk, many North Koreans come out to the river to bathe, wash their clothes, bicycles etc.The Chinese do their washing with tap water and washing machines - so no Chinese use the river. By night, the entire town goes almost dark, while the Chinese side is bright and full of shops still doing business.
At dinner, we had ... naturally Korean food. North Korean food is lighter than the South versions. Most of the people here are ethnic Koreans. It is a peaceful town, away from the spotlight of the North-South Korean DMZ border that you see on news. Chinese do cross the border everyday here for business. Life and trade goes on here without the world needing to know.
In the morning, we made our way to Changbaishan. It was another 2 hours drive away. Like all big Chinese tourist places, you cannot these days drive all the way to the attraction. You have to buy an entrance ticket and in addition, the rip-off tour bus ticket ... and it is full of people. There are a couple of stops along the way for you to take pictures, and the last leg you will have to hike up stairs. I can't remember how high it was but, there were probably 1000 steps.
Bring a long a bottle, as besides the steps there's a fresh ice-melt stream where you can literally scoop up spring water to drink. We drank and didn't get sick, but up to you. The water was very cold, probably just a few degrees above freezing. So for the trip, even in summer you need to bring along a winter jacket. If you forget, they do have rental jackets. If you're a foreigner, you might even just want to rent those big green overcoats from the Mao days just for the heck of it.
At the summit, you see the caldera. When we went there, the cafe was still under construction. You can walk around, and there ware soldiers guarding you from wandering further so that you don't end up in NK.
All in all, it was a good site - but I personally thought the journey there was the highlight of this trip.
We drove all the way from Beijing, and as with any long drive in China is always interesting. We took 2 days to drive and passed through the provinces of Jilin and Liaoning, and as the journey went deeper into the smaller towns, things got more interesting.
Instead of taking the main road, we branched off to take the S303 which runs along the Yalu River that acts as the border between China and NK. The border point started at the town of Linjiang. We were literally a stone's throw away from NK.
The contrast in scenery between the China side and NK was apparent. On the Chinese side, there were lots of people and shops, not so many farms. On the NK side, houses were made of wood, and farms grew all the way up the hills. Where there are villages or houses, there's a big picture of the founder Kim Il Sung.
As it was getting dark, we stopped at the small border town of Changbaizhen (http://goo.gl/TvW8IO). Its one of those surreal places where hardly any foreigners go to, but it is a thriving town where a lot of ethnic Chinese Koreans and Hans do business everyday trading with the opposite NK town of Hyesan.
Most Chinese are themselves very curious of the hermit kingdom too. So much so that there is a small park built where curious visitors can sit and observe the other side.
On the NK side, every few hundred metres, there's a small guardhouse looking back into the town, presumably they are more concerned of people getting out of the country rather than looking out at China.
By dusk, many North Koreans come out to the river to bathe, wash their clothes, bicycles etc.The Chinese do their washing with tap water and washing machines - so no Chinese use the river. By night, the entire town goes almost dark, while the Chinese side is bright and full of shops still doing business.
At dinner, we had ... naturally Korean food. North Korean food is lighter than the South versions. Most of the people here are ethnic Koreans. It is a peaceful town, away from the spotlight of the North-South Korean DMZ border that you see on news. Chinese do cross the border everyday here for business. Life and trade goes on here without the world needing to know.
In the morning, we made our way to Changbaishan. It was another 2 hours drive away. Like all big Chinese tourist places, you cannot these days drive all the way to the attraction. You have to buy an entrance ticket and in addition, the rip-off tour bus ticket ... and it is full of people. There are a couple of stops along the way for you to take pictures, and the last leg you will have to hike up stairs. I can't remember how high it was but, there were probably 1000 steps.
Bring a long a bottle, as besides the steps there's a fresh ice-melt stream where you can literally scoop up spring water to drink. We drank and didn't get sick, but up to you. The water was very cold, probably just a few degrees above freezing. So for the trip, even in summer you need to bring along a winter jacket. If you forget, they do have rental jackets. If you're a foreigner, you might even just want to rent those big green overcoats from the Mao days just for the heck of it.
At the summit, you see the caldera. When we went there, the cafe was still under construction. You can walk around, and there ware soldiers guarding you from wandering further so that you don't end up in NK.
All in all, it was a good site - but I personally thought the journey there was the highlight of this trip.
Written 12 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hydrogeologist
Kenilworth, UK22 contributions
Apr 2017 • Business
It was a warm, spring day when we hired thick, winter coats near the entrance to this enormous national park.
The sheer scale of the entrance area hints at just how busy this park must get at certain times of the year, but when we arrived we were almost alone. Quite an eerie experience!
A shuttle bus drove us several miles into the park, where we reached a transfer station. From there, we got in a 4x4 vehicle that took us up to the top of Mount Changbaishan.
Thank goodness for those jackets! The snow was several feet deep and a cold wind was tingling the skin on our faces, but it was still gloriously sunny and the views were breathtaking. Heaven Lake (in the volcanic crater) was frozen over and covered in snow.
As a geologist, I was delighted to see plenty of geological phenomena associated with volcanic eruptions (ejecta, tuff, etc.). The entire region is composed of basaltic lava flows from numerous volcanic eruption sites. Standing atop this mountain, you can almost feel the magma below you, waiting to flow once more...!
We threw snowballs at each other, took plenty of photographs, then headed back down to the cafe for food and a hot drink.
Definitely worth visiting if you are anywhere near this beautiful, dormant volcano.
The sheer scale of the entrance area hints at just how busy this park must get at certain times of the year, but when we arrived we were almost alone. Quite an eerie experience!
A shuttle bus drove us several miles into the park, where we reached a transfer station. From there, we got in a 4x4 vehicle that took us up to the top of Mount Changbaishan.
Thank goodness for those jackets! The snow was several feet deep and a cold wind was tingling the skin on our faces, but it was still gloriously sunny and the views were breathtaking. Heaven Lake (in the volcanic crater) was frozen over and covered in snow.
As a geologist, I was delighted to see plenty of geological phenomena associated with volcanic eruptions (ejecta, tuff, etc.). The entire region is composed of basaltic lava flows from numerous volcanic eruption sites. Standing atop this mountain, you can almost feel the magma below you, waiting to flow once more...!
We threw snowballs at each other, took plenty of photographs, then headed back down to the cafe for food and a hot drink.
Definitely worth visiting if you are anywhere near this beautiful, dormant volcano.
Written 10 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaveAH6HY
Honolulu, HI57 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
Five years ago I climbed to the summit of Changbaishan from North Korea, where it is known as Mt Paektu. I shared across the gorgeous lake and decided that one day I would come back to this place from the opposite direction and climb the summit from the Chinese side.
As other reviews have said, there are multiple entrances from the Chinese side, each separated by large distances, so you have to choose in advance which one you will try because it's unlikely more than one could be done in a single day. I chose the North entrance because it seemed to be the most popular and promised to offer views down at the lake on the crater floor similar to what I saw when I was in North Korea. It did not disappoint! Absolutely jaw dropping how gorgeous this place is.
I went in June, which is just before the peak season crowds really get out of hand. The weather was not great at the ticket office, which might have explained the lack of crowds. No waiting at all to get on the minibuses that take you to the summit. Most of the drive up the mountain was spent in a foggy mist and even a little drizzle, so I tried not to get my hopes up. I know the weather at the summit is notoriously fickle, and it is said you have to be lucky to have a clear enough view to see the lake down below. Well, luck was on my side as the sun burst out right before we got to the top. Just goes to show you, the weather down below where you buy your tickets and start the trip is not really a good indication of what you will see at the summit. There is always hope, even if you start off in clouds, fog, or rain!
There is a bit of a tourist racket at the top in that park staff have roped off all of the best viewing areas for their own exclusive access for photography. So if you want to take pictures of yourself or use a selfie stick, most of the best dramatic overlooks will be tantalizingly out of reach. The park photographers have a monopoly on the best views and will take your picture with their camera and hand you a finished print a few minutes later for 30RMB per station. There are several ledges where they have rock benches set up right at the very edge of the rim, and the pictures they take are stunning. If you plan to do several pictures of yourself at various viewpoints, they offer a discount.
At first it annoyed me that the best spots were roped off like this, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it would otherwise be impossible to get such nice pictures of yourself without 1) falling off the ledge or 2) having several other peoples arms, legs, and heads in all of your photographs as well. It was nice to not have to worry about framing good pictures for a change, and of course you are the only one in the shots they take which makes the photographs even more memorable.
It is not possible to climb down to the shore of the lake from here, which is a pity because you can stare across the lake at the North Korean side and see the long staircase and giant gondola they have constructed to bring people down from the summit ledge to the crater floor on their side. I wish China also could provide that opportunity!
As other reviews have said, there are multiple entrances from the Chinese side, each separated by large distances, so you have to choose in advance which one you will try because it's unlikely more than one could be done in a single day. I chose the North entrance because it seemed to be the most popular and promised to offer views down at the lake on the crater floor similar to what I saw when I was in North Korea. It did not disappoint! Absolutely jaw dropping how gorgeous this place is.
I went in June, which is just before the peak season crowds really get out of hand. The weather was not great at the ticket office, which might have explained the lack of crowds. No waiting at all to get on the minibuses that take you to the summit. Most of the drive up the mountain was spent in a foggy mist and even a little drizzle, so I tried not to get my hopes up. I know the weather at the summit is notoriously fickle, and it is said you have to be lucky to have a clear enough view to see the lake down below. Well, luck was on my side as the sun burst out right before we got to the top. Just goes to show you, the weather down below where you buy your tickets and start the trip is not really a good indication of what you will see at the summit. There is always hope, even if you start off in clouds, fog, or rain!
There is a bit of a tourist racket at the top in that park staff have roped off all of the best viewing areas for their own exclusive access for photography. So if you want to take pictures of yourself or use a selfie stick, most of the best dramatic overlooks will be tantalizingly out of reach. The park photographers have a monopoly on the best views and will take your picture with their camera and hand you a finished print a few minutes later for 30RMB per station. There are several ledges where they have rock benches set up right at the very edge of the rim, and the pictures they take are stunning. If you plan to do several pictures of yourself at various viewpoints, they offer a discount.
At first it annoyed me that the best spots were roped off like this, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it would otherwise be impossible to get such nice pictures of yourself without 1) falling off the ledge or 2) having several other peoples arms, legs, and heads in all of your photographs as well. It was nice to not have to worry about framing good pictures for a change, and of course you are the only one in the shots they take which makes the photographs even more memorable.
It is not possible to climb down to the shore of the lake from here, which is a pity because you can stare across the lake at the North Korean side and see the long staircase and giant gondola they have constructed to bring people down from the summit ledge to the crater floor on their side. I wish China also could provide that opportunity!
Written 17 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jing X
Shanghai, China50 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
There are 3 ways to reach the lake in the Changbai Mountain: west line, north line and south line. North line provide a breathtaking buggies to the top of the mountain, west line requires some good physical strength, cause you should climb 1442 steps to reach the top. The south line is more original, it is the latest developed route to the Changbai Mountain.
As for the Tianchi, it's a very typical volcanic lake and full of mystery. Tianchi lake is the fountainhead of Songhua River, but people still don't know the sauce of the Tianchi Lake. That means there's only outlet but no water entry. The scenery changes a lot with different season. Definitly a don't-miss place to visit.
As for the Tianchi, it's a very typical volcanic lake and full of mystery. Tianchi lake is the fountainhead of Songhua River, but people still don't know the sauce of the Tianchi Lake. That means there's only outlet but no water entry. The scenery changes a lot with different season. Definitly a don't-miss place to visit.
Written 18 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruby37
Lancashire736 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Having read all the previous reviews, you will be clear with the geography of the place and how it is a lake in a caldera. The whole experience is amazing, you travel for about 20 to 30 mins, in a small minibus, the views as you climb are great. However as you get the to base of the 1400 steps it becomes a sea of people. There are a few stalls at the base, selling fried squid,, blueberries etc and large thick coats to hire for the summit. The walk up is steady, you can't go quickly as there are too many people. Once at the lake, you have to push yourself to the front, although once there you can enjoy the amazing views. Watching the people are equally amazing, the families, enjoy a picnic on the top.
Once you have descended to the base of the steps you queue up again like cattle to get the minibus back down. We stopped at a waterfall for about 5 minutes, then for some lunch at the fast food restaurant. That was not very good quality, a help yourself buffet. the place was remarkably quiet as most people brought their own. We had a couple more stops, both for very interesting walks, one to see a gorge and the other for a walk to a small lake. The second walk was almost deserted, hard to believe when there were so many people at the Heavenly Lake.
Would definitely recommend a day out here, it is unbelievable, just the restaurant and lack of toilets let it down....
Once you have descended to the base of the steps you queue up again like cattle to get the minibus back down. We stopped at a waterfall for about 5 minutes, then for some lunch at the fast food restaurant. That was not very good quality, a help yourself buffet. the place was remarkably quiet as most people brought their own. We had a couple more stops, both for very interesting walks, one to see a gorge and the other for a walk to a small lake. The second walk was almost deserted, hard to believe when there were so many people at the Heavenly Lake.
Would definitely recommend a day out here, it is unbelievable, just the restaurant and lack of toilets let it down....
Written 5 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How to get there? I want to go to the North and South slopes (I'm going for 2 days), where should I stay for the night and how to get to the slopes?
Written 12 June 2018
According to people I met there, south slope is closed.
Written 3 October 2018
How to get there? I want to go to the North and South slopes (I'm going for 2 days), where should I stay for the night and how to get to the slopes?
Written 12 June 2018
Hi! I wanna go to Changbaishan Tianshi, but I want to see it the least crowded possible - when would be the best time? (I've heard April is the low season) which slope is the least crowded? (Difficulty is irrelevant, but I'm assuming the most difficult will be the least crowded). What time is the very first bus there? (Or can I take a taxi earlier than that?)
Written 16 March 2018
Hi! I just came back from a trip to Changbaishan in April. There were relatively little people. At the start of April is good as there's a drop in temperature so it snows but also because of that the Tianchi was closed when I was there. they close whenever weather is bad and the roads get frozen, so the buses in the park can't drive up. The lake gets frozen all the way till mid June period.
I had asked my driver on popular periods and he said generally crowds come during summer and autumn periods (Jul-Oct) but mostly during the Chinese holidays when people can take long breaks from work. otherwise, it's pretty sparse. During the Jul-Oct periods, there are more buses etc due to more people visiting as compared to the winter. However, the popular seasons are popular for a reason as the scenery changes to a much more dramatic one especially during autumn. Deep during winter would give super pretty views even just all around the town, however as I mentioned, the Tianchi might be closed depending on weather.
Written 16 April 2018
Pitipoom P
Bangkok, Thailand
its possible to go on top of the mountain on new year?
Written 29 November 2017
Pitipoom P
Bangkok, Thailand
it's possible to go on top of the mountain on new year?
Written 29 November 2017
Hello everyone. Is it possible to visit and hike Changbaishan in November?
Written 18 September 2017
charlottechiang
Singapore, Singapore
Hello. I am planing to visit changbaishan in mid October, do you think that will be a good time? Will it be too cold? If so, will the park be closed?
Written 30 June 2017
Depends on the weather; we visited the park Last October, it wasn't great, due to fog, so couldn't really see the volcanic lake. However, there are other scenic spots in the park worth the visit. As I had mentioned earlier, it really depends on the weather; snow or fog could be the factor. June or July would be better season to visit; that's what most people told us while visiting the spot in October. The good thing about visiting the park in October would be the low season, which the park is not crowded.
Written 2 July 2017
hi. would like to know about weather in May end ? i am planning to visit it on 28th May. will it be worth to visit at that time ? along with 5 years old kid ? and as it is vacation time in China(Dragon Boat Festival ), will it be crowded ?
Thanks. waiting for reply.
Written 16 May 2017
Sorry. Forgot to mention that you may want to avoid public holiday period in china, everywhere is crowded
Written 22 May 2017
Hello, we are planning to visit on May 20th but have heard that the park isn't open until next month -- is this true?! Thanks!
Written 7 May 2017
During the winter months, it depends on the weather and the road that lead up to the top of mountain could be inaccessible due to excessive snow. However, I don't foresee any problem for the month of May. We visited the park in April and it was okay. However, as other reviewers had mentioned, not everyone could view the lake in its entirety and it is due to fog, which could become a hinderance.
Written 9 May 2017
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