[2025 Changbai Attraction] Travel Guide for Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve - Yuehua Twin Waterfalls (Updated Jul)

Changbai Mountain North Scenic Area • Tianchi (Heavenly Lake): China's largest volcanic crater lake and a border lake between China and North Korea. Standing on the viewing platform, the azure lake is surrounded by 16 peaks, creating a fairy-tale scene. If you're lucky, you might see the lake faintly visible through swirling clouds, mysterious and sacred. • Changbai Waterfall: The only outlet of Tianchi, with a majestic 68-meter drop. In summer, the roaring torrent is deafening; in winter, the interplay of ice formations and flowing water is breathtakingly beautiful. • Green Abyss Pool: Known as the "Little Jiuzhai of Northeast China," the emerald pool complements the 26-meter-high waterfall perfectly, with mist creating an ethereal atmosphere. • Small Heavenly Lake: Crystal-clear waters surrounded by dense forests, like a green gem embedded in nature, tranquil and picturesque. • Hot Spring Cluster: A geothermal wonder where you can soak your hands in hot springs and taste eggs boiled in them, with tender, silky egg whites. • Valley Bottom Forest: Walk along wooden boardwalks through primeval sunken valley forests covered in moss, a natural oxygen bar. • Canyon Pumice Stone Forest & Stream Trekking: Hike through volcanic canyons and streams, experiencing nature's raw beauty up close. • Heping Mountain Sports Park UTV Jungle Adventure: Drive UTVs through virgin forests with wind howling past your ears and unique scenery, thrilling and perfect for epic photos. Erdao Baihe Town • Enduli: A neighborhood full of Chinese charm. The luxurious Flower Villa Deep Forest Homestay offers a serene environment, and you can relax in hot springs after exploring. • Changbai Mountain·Jin 1172: A recreation of a Jin Dynasty market with exciting acrobatic performances and immersive RPG games in period costumes, transporting you back a thousand years. • Cloud Top Market: Bustling with life, offering a variety of delicious food and unique shops, perfect for a leisurely stroll while eating. • Edelweiss Reindeer Park: Interact with adorable reindeer and experience a fairy-tale atmosphere. Changbai Mountain South Scenic Area Tianchi offers expansive, unobstructed views with direct scenic area bus access. Also features the Yalu River Grand Canyon, showcasing volcanic landscapes formed after Changbai Mountain's eruption, and the stunning Yuehua Twin Waterfalls. Changbai Mountain West Scenic Area Requires climbing 1,442 steps, but the panoramic view of Tianchi is awe-inspiring. Other attractions include the Alpine Garden, Wangchi (King's Pool), and Jinjiang Grand Canyon, each with unique charm. Neyin Ancient City One of the birthplaces of the Manchu people, focusing on the worship of the Changbai Mountain deity. The ancient-style architecture immerses visitors in rich historical and cultural heritage.

"You must visit Jilin someday—feel the evening breeze of the Jialing River, stroll along Nanbin Road, and visit Changjiang International to experience the summer of the mountain city. The youth of this city were born to run freely; they will become great figures, smoothing out the uneven paths. That night, the mountain city forever preserved their footprints, and the wind will always carry their essence." "The 18th floor of Changjiang International sees a constant flow of people, never short of stories and experiences." "The dreams of youth shine brightly along the Jialing River and Nanbin Road, wrapped in Chongqing's scorching heat, sweeping across the entire mountain city." "The mountain city also has its youth, and those who strive to chase their dreams." Changbai Mountain Travel Guide: 1. Transportation: • From Yanji, you can choose carpooling or private car hire, taking about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. • High-speed rail directly reaches Changbai Mountain Station, offering convenience and speed. 2. Accommodation: • It’s recommended to stay near Yanji or Erdaobaihe Town for easy access to Changbai Mountain. 3. Tickets: • The ticket for Changbai Mountain North Slope + shuttle bus usually costs 225 RMB, with an additional 80 RMB for the Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) bus ticket. 4. Itinerary: • Day 1: Upon arrival, consider staying near the university district and trying local delicacies. • Day 2: • Depart at 7 AM, take the shuttle bus to Changbai Mountain National Forest Park. • First, visit Tianchi—bring an extra layer of warm clothing. The bus ticket costs 80 RMB. • Next, explore Changbai Waterfall and try the hot spring eggs. • Later, optionally visit Small Tianchi, Green Abyss Pool, and Underground Forest, depending on interest. • Return to Yanji or stay at the mountain base that evening. 5. Attractions: • Tianchi: The iconic spot of Changbai Mountain, best viewed on clear days. • Changbai Waterfall: The second major attraction, with nearby hot springs. • Small Tianchi and Green Abyss Pool: Unique sceneries, optional visits. • Underground Forest: A pristine forest, great for photography. 6. Tips: • Autumn visits offer cooler weather and higher chances of seeing Tianchi. • Shuttle buses are required between attractions, with some walking involved. • Adjust the itinerary based on personal stamina and interests. 7. Yanji: • Try ethnic Korean specialties like stone pot tofu and blood sausage. • Dongfang Water Market offers various Northeastern and Korean snacks. • Visit the Korean Folk Village to experience ethnic culture. 8. Other Slopes: • North Slope: Well-developed with many attractions, crowded, ideal for bus tours to Tianchi. • West Slope: Open views, requires climbing 1,442 steps, great for volcanic landscapes and flower festivals. • South Slope: Pristine ecology, expansive Tianchi views, but farther transportation. Adjust plans based on preferences and book tickets/accommodations in advance.

Winter Address: Antu County, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province Opening hours: North/West Slope Scenic Area: Summer (May–October) 7:00–16:30; Winter (November–April) 8:00–16:00 South Slope Scenic Area: Open from June to September, 8:00–15:00 (reservations required in advance) Tickets: North/West Slope: CNY 105 (peak season) + CNY 85 for the eco-bus South Slope: CNY 105 (including the eco-bus) Some winter activities are charged separately (such as skiing and hot springs). Transportation: High-speed train/plane: Arrive at Changbaishan Station (high-speed train) or Changbaishan Airport (fewer flights), and then take a scenic bus or charter a car. Self-driving: For the North Slope, navigate to "Changbaishan North Scenic Area Parking Lot", parking fee is CNY 30/day; for the West Slope, navigate to "Changbaishan West Scenic Area Distribution Center". ## Travel Guide ### 1. Classic North Slope Route Route: North Scenic Area Distribution Center → Tianchi Main Peak (shuttle bus required, CNY 80/person) → Changbai Waterfall → Julongquan Hot Spring (for boiling eggs) → Green Abyss Pool → Underground Forest Highlights: The best observation point for a panoramic view of Tianchi. It is surrounded by clouds and mist in summer and frozen like a mirror in winter. Hot spring eggs are a must-try! CNY 10/bag next to the sulfur spring. The emerald green water of the Green Abyss Pool is perfect for forest-style photos. ### 2. West Slope Alpine Garden Route: West Scenic Area Distribution Center → Tianchi (1,442 steps to climb) → Alpine Garden (flowers bloom in July) → Jinjiang Canyon Highlights: In July, the alpine garden is full of wildflowers, like an oil painting. The volcanic rock landform + primeval forest of Jinjiang Canyon is amazing for aerial photography! ### 3. South Slope Secret Realm Route: South Scenic Area Distribution Center → Tianchi (direct bus, fewer people and wider views) → Yuehua Twin Waterfalls → Yalu River Grand Canyon Highlights: The closest viewing point to Tianchi, with a clear view of the Sino-North Korean border. The colorful Yalu River Grand Canyon is perfect for drone photography. ### 4. Winter Limited Activities: Skiing (Wanda/Luneng Resort), rime rafting (Demon World Scenic Area), snowmobile ride through the forest Tips: It is recommended to go rafting at sunrise, when the mist is like a fairyland. The ski resort is open from December to March. Book your ski equipment package in advance. Equipment recommendations: Windproof jacket, hiking shoes, sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness); in winter, you need a thick down jacket + heat packs! This Changbai Mountain is amazing in all seasons, waiting for you to explore!

The ten-year appointment with Changbai Mountain, I’m finally here! I was very lucky and I got the ticket to the south slope of Changbai Mountain right away. The first group entered the park and went up the mountain. The weather was fine and we successfully saw Tianchi! I met a very cute sightseeing bus driver. He explained to us that there is a section of the road on the way up the mountain that belongs to 🇰🇵's territory. It was a special experience to travel abroad in just five minutes. We chose the southern slope of Changbai Mountain because it has been developed for a relatively short time. It can ensure that everyone can take their own photo of Tianchi life. But the lens cannot record the shock felt by the eyes. The lake at that time was like a piece of reflective glass, showing different shades of blue. So beautiful! The blue color of Tianchi Lake will be different under different light and clouds. Attractions: There are three main attractions on the south slope, and the tour route is: Tianchi-Yuehua Twin Waterfalls-Yalu River Grand Canyon. The tour takes about 3 to 4 hours. It takes about an hour to get to Tianchi by car, and the overall journey is much bumpier than the north slope. So if you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended to bring motion sickness patches. In addition, it is recommended to wear sunglasses, otherwise it may be difficult to open your eyes due to the strong light on Tianchi. It should be noted that the number of people on the South Slope is limited to 2,000 per day. The gate opens at 8:00 am and ticket checking stops at 1:00 pm.