The Changbaishan Nature Reserve is an area of astounding natural and rugged beauty. The sights here are all related to the volcanic activity that used to make this region unstable and dangerous. Thankfully, nowadays, the most dangerous things encountered on the range are probably the rare Siberian Tigers and the cold waters of the Heavenly Lake, that is purported to contain a monster of Loch Ness proportions.

The mountainous reserve boasts altogether 16 peaks, all of which surround the azure lake. The lake itself is the regions most popular sight, and is the central focus for the whole region. To the north of the lake lies the biggest waterfall, with a fall of 68 meters and this is the source of two of Jilin’s rivers: the Songhua and the Tumen. About one kilometer from the waterfall are a profusion of hotsprings that are popular for their healing capacities.

Of lesser fame, and therefore less plagued by tourists, are the “below ground” forests, that grow in the craters of extinct volcanoes. This area is good for walking, although you may want to watch that you do not wander off into Communist North Korea. By far the farthest attraction is the Changbaishan Canyon, a region of strangely shaped rocks and good walking routes.