Jilin | Visible for only 40 days a year? A must-visit destination: Heaven Lake on Changbai Mountain.

If I were to list places one must visit in a lifetime, Heaven Lake on Changbai Mountain would definitely be on my list. The lake is the source of three major rivers: Songhua River, Yalu River, and Tumen River. On the Chinese side, it is called Heaven Lake on Changbai Mountain, while on the North Korean side, it is known as Mount Paektu. The stunning lake appears to have a magical blue hue under the sunlight. With the development of the scenic area, there are now three main routes: the North Slope, the West Slope, and the newly developed South Slope, which primarily operates during the summer. Due to visitor capacity control, you need to make an online reservation before heading up the mountain. The North Slope is the most commonly used route. Visitors must first check in at the scenic area’s central hub, transfer to a bus to ascend the mountain, and then switch to a minibus to reach the final destination. The breathtaking scenery will make you forget all the travel fatigue. Heaven Lake, with a depth of over 200 meters and an area exceeding 9 square kilometers, is a place where many tourists search for the legendary "lake monster." While folklore suggests its existence, scientists speculate it could be a giant fish living in the lake. The mysterious natural atmosphere adds to the lake’s allure, making it an extraordinary sight. 📍Address: Antu County, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province, China