Changbai Mountain: Holy mountain, holy water

Last summer vacation, I had the opportunity to visit Changbai Mountain with my family.

We took a car up the mountain early in the morning. It was very cold and we needed to wear padded coats. The tour guide said that the climate on the mountain changes greatly, and many people encounter rain or heavy fog when going up, unable to see the Tianchi Lake. We were very lucky to climb to the top of the mountain in satisfactory weather, from where we saw magnificent Tianchi Lake. As a photography enthusiast, I finally captured its unforgettable scenery.

Changbai Mountain was named after Baitou Mountain, the peak of Changbai Mountain , which is filled with white pumice and snow. It is located at the eastern end of the Eurasian sub-continent, in the southeast of Jilin Province, and is the highest mountain in Northeast China. The majestic Changbai Mountain is enchanting with its mysterious forests, unique peaks, and endless treasures. With the Feiliu Waterfall, huge mountain lakes, endless primitive forests, peculiar volcanic landforms, and precious flora and fauna, Changbai Mountain can be regarded as a natural museum.

In the Chinese mythology volume the Classics of Mountains and Seas, Changbai Mountain is called ‘Not salty Mountain’, or ‘the Immortal Mountain’. It is the cradle of the Manchu people and can be said to be a "sacred mountain with holy water". Tianchi Lake in Changbai Mountain was formed after a volcanic eruption and is the largest crater lake in China. It is the source of three rivers: the Songhua, the Yalu, and the Tumen The mystery of Tianchi is that it has no inlet, only an outlet, but the lake water flows continuously throughout the year and never decreases. Since ancient times, there have been legends of Tianchi monsters, which further enhances the mystery.