Changbai Mountain is located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, serving as a natural border between China and North Korea. It is a dormant volcano, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. Its main peak is named "Baekdu Mountain" due to the white pumice stones and snow that cover it. The name "Changbai" symbolizes "eternal love and growing old together."

The Heavenly Lake lies at the heart of Changbai Mountain, sitting atop the volcanic cone and forming a boundary lake between China and North Korea. It has only an outlet (Changbai Waterfall) but no inlet, yet it has never run dry for thousands of years — earning it the ancient name "Eye of the Sea." The lake is so beautiful that it "doesn't look real." On clear days, its blue surface mirrors the sky like a flawless gem, surrounded by towering volcanic cliffs that add to its majestic atmosphere.

The Legend of the Heavenly Lake

The most popular story about the origin of the Heavenly Lake is the tale of the "Jade Mirror That Fell to Earth."

It is said that the Queen Mother of the West had two daughters of equal beauty. At a peach banquet, the celestial immortal Taibai Jinxing gave her a jade mirror that could tell which sister was more beautiful. When the mirror was held up, it declared the younger sister fairer. Enraged with jealousy, the elder sister hurled the mirror down from the celestial pool.

The jade mirror pierced through the clouds and fell to the mortal world, landing exactly on the crater of Changbai Mountain. With a thunderous crash, it transformed into a pool of crystal-clear water — and that is how the Heavenly Lake was born.

Some say the lake reflects the soul of those who look upon it: those with pure hearts see the bluest water; those with troubled minds see only mist and fog. Even today, the Heavenly Lake remains shrouded in mystery, its veils of clouds waiting for the destined ones to lift them and reveal its truth.