Tianchi is a mustsee when visiting Changbai Mountain. The mountain reserve is rich in rare plant life. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Healing hot spring

Changbai's hot spring is known not only for its high temperatures, but also for its special minerals that can reportedly treat arthritis. Tourists who visit the mountain in the winter will be able to indulge in an outdoor hot spring with snow cascading down gently over the quiet mountain.

Tourists who visit in the summer will find cool temperatures on Changbai Mountain, making it an ideal spot for people to escape the summer heat in North China.

Besides Changbai Mountain, Changchun, Jilin City and the Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture are also first-rate choices for sightseeing. Jilin City is home to the world's largest meteorite as well as year-round breathtaking scenery. Songhua Lake, Jiaohe Red Maple Valley, Zhuque Mountain and Lafa Mountain are all worth visiting.

If you go

Make sure to bring a T-shirt, jacket, long-sleeved clothes, raincoat and sunblock. The higher you climb, the colder you will feel, even in the summer.

There are two-hour direct flights from Beijing to Changbai Mountain. Another option is to first travel to Changchun or Jilin City and take the train or bus to the mountain range. The Jilin-Hunchun High-speed Railway began operating on Sept 20, reducing the travel time between the two cities from six hours (by bus) to two hours. You can disembark at the station close to Changbai Mountain or go directly to Hunchun, where visitors can get a great view of the DPRK and Russia.

Accommodations:

There are many hotels, even five-star establishments. Tourists have the option of reserving a room at the home of a Korean family, which can allow a close-up look of the local life.