Heaven Lake
In the crater.
Qasrawi 2000 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mätes II. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · A Chinese user — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Antigng — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Isamukitafuji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · A Chinese user — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liuxingy — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dquai — CC BY-SA 4.0
An active volcano on the border between China and North Korea, called Paektu in Korean, rising to 2,744 metres as the highest mountain in Northeast China and the source of the Songhua, Tumen and Yalu rivers. Its summit holds a wide caldera formed in a great eruption in 946, one of the largest on Earth in the last five thousand years, filled by Heaven Lake at 2,189 metres, about ten square kilometres in area and up to 384 metres deep; the two countries share it, and ice covers it from mid-October to mid-June. Visitors on the north slope ride up to the crater rim to see the blue lake among rocky peaks, though cloud often wraps it, so a clear view is a matter of luck. Below, the water leaves the lake northwards over the Changbai Falls, dropping about seventy metres between volcanic cliffs, with steaming hot springs, birch woods and smaller pools and waterfalls at their foot. Entry costs CNY 105, valid five days on the mountain's three slopes; the park bus at 85 is compulsory, and the north-slope vehicle to the rim costs 80, with limited daily places. It is open in summer from 7 am to 5 pm and is booked ahead through the official app, per visitor guides.
In the crater.
Between volcanic cliffs.
At the foot of the falls.
North slope, Erdaobaihe, Antu County, Yanbian, south-west of Yanji, Jilin
From June to September, when the ice has left the lake and the roads are open; early morning gives the best chance of seeing the lake before cloud gathers, and book early, as the rim vehicles sell out fast.
Choices are few in Erdaobaihe and local Korean-style cooking uses pork, so bring food and look in Yanji for restaurants run by Muslims under the halal sign.