China attractions - The Changbai Mountains or Baekdu Mountains are a mountain range on the border between China and North Korea (41°41' to 42°51'N; 127°43' to 128°16'E). The climate in the mountains is very cold during winter, with absolute minima on the highest peaks in January as low as 45°C (49°F), but reaching 17°C (62°F) in July. Precipitation is low in the winter but in the higher parts very high in the summer, with annual averages reaching as high as 1,150 mm (45 inches) and over 300 mm (12 inches) in July alone. The dry winters mean there are no glaciers even on the highest and wettest peaks, but permafrost extends down to 1,800 metres (5,900 feet) and is continuous on the highest peaks.
The highest mountain is Baekdu Mountain (2,745 m), a volcano which is also known as Changbai Mountain. Baekdu mountain is the source of the Songhua, Tumen (Tuman) and Yalu (Amnok) rivers. Many tributaries of the Liao He also originate from the Changbai Mountains.One of the highest crater lakes in the world, called Heaven Lake (Lake Cheonji in Korean / Lake Tianchi), lies at the top of the mountain. Baekdusan marks the northern boundary of Korea, and the location where Korea's foundation myths regarding Dangun take place.
Changbaishan Nature Reserve, established in 1960, was involved in the UNESCO's "Man and Biosphere" program in 1980 and becomes part of the world's biosphere reserves. Approved by the State Council in 1986, it becomes a State-level reserve.
The range represents the mythical birthplace of Bukūri Yong?on, ancestor of Nurhaci and the Aisin Gioro Imperial family, who were the founders of the Manchu state and the Chinese Qing Dynasty. The name literally means "Perpetually White Mountain Region" in Mandarin Chinese and "White-headed Mountain Range" in Korean.
The range extends from the Northeast Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning to the North Korean provinces of Ryanggang and Chagang. At 2,744 m, it is the highest mountain of the Changbai Mountains to the north and Baekdudaegan to the south, and higher than any other mountain in Korea or Manchuria.Most peaks exceed 2,000 metres in height, with the highest mountain being Baekdu Mountain (Changbai Mountain).