[Road Trip on China's G331][03] Changbai Mountain: Above Heaven Lake, Beneath the Waterfall

Описание: After being delayed by bad weather and having to cancel our planned visit to the peak of the Changbai Mountain North Slope Scenic Area the previous day, we finally got the chance to explore one of the most iconic attractions along China's National Highway 331 (G331) on 7 September 2025. Side note: temporary closures around Changbai Mountain are very common rapidly changing weather conditions, so it's wise to stay flexible and allow extra days if consider it a must-see destination. The scenic areas may also experience extended closures during the snow season.

Changbai ("Ever-White") Mountain - known as Paektu ("White Head") Mountain in Korean - is an active stratovolcano on the border between China and North Korea. Its most powerful eruption in the last 5,000 years, in 946 AD, shaped the mountain's current form and created the famous crater lake, Heaven Lake. The lake has since become the source of the Yalu, Songhua, and Tumen rivers. Historically, both the mountain and its crater lake were regarded as sacred and worshipped by Koreans and Manchus.

From the Chinese side, there are three ways to visit Changbai Mountain: the North, West, and South Slope Scenic Areas. Although all three are operated by the same organisation, tickets are sold separately and are only valid for the specific area selected. Note that additional fees may apply in some areas if you want access to the Heaven Lake viewpoints.
The North Slope Scenic Area was developed first and features Tianwen Peak and the Changbai Waterfall as its main attractions. The walk from the shuttle bus drop‑off point to the top is easy, though the view of Heaven Lake is partially blocked by surrounding peaks. However, the view of Changbai Waterfall at the foot of the mountain is unbeatable. This is also the area we visit in this video.
The West Slope Scenic Area is the most physically demanding, but it rewards visitors with an unobstructed panoramic view of Heaven Lake from a relatively lower vantage point.
The South Slope Scenic Area is the newest and the most difficult to reach by public transportation. Its peak is the closest to Heaven Lake and offers a unique full‑moon‑shaped view of the lake from a striking vantage point.

Credits

At The End Of All Things by Scott Buckley |   / scottbuckley  
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Chasing Daylight by Scott Buckley |   / scottbuckley  
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She Moved Mountains by Scott Buckley |   / scottbuckley  
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Undertow by Scott Buckley |   / scottbuckley  
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Tags

#Travel #RoadTrip #TouristAttraction #China #Jilin #G331 #NationalHighway331 #NationalHighway331JilinSection #NorthKorea #Erdaobaihe #Mountain #Waterfall #Lookout #ChangbaiMountain #ChangbaiMountainNorthSlopeScenicArea #TianwenPeak #HeavenLake #ChangbaiWaterfall

Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:11 Check-in Point
01:10 Tianwen Peak & Heaven Lake
07:49 Changbai Waterfall Entrance
08:33 Changbai Waterfall
11:15 Credits
11:30 Easter Eggs