Jingbo Lake National Park

Setting at 350 meters above sea level, Jingbo Lake National Park, one of the well-known natural scenic beauties in the northern China, is famed for its vast expanse of lovely mirror-like lake and the unique forests in the craters.

The product of volcanic activity and fed by the Mudan River, one of the big rivers in the northeast China, the tranquil and glassy Jingbo Lake lies in a volcanic area, and is blocked up by the lava from the past volcanic eruptions that occurred in the Quaternary Period in this area. The 7 connected different-sized lakes were thus created, altogether stretching 46 kilometers long, 6 kilometers at its widest part, and 2 kilometers at its narrowest part, covering a total area of almost 10 thousand hectares. The depth of the water of the lake varies at different locations, only several meters deep in its south, the most shallow part, while 62 meters, the deepest part, in its north, 40-50 meters on average.

Located at the area adjacent to the City of Mudan River, Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, the lake enjoys a pleas­ant weather in summertimes, no more than 32°C at daytime and around 18°C at night, making the lake area a delightful summer resort for urban residents fleeing the heat; and the easy access and its spectacular views make it a very popular summer retreat, that attracts over 8 hundred thousand visitors every summer.

Meandering along the valley, the quiet lake is beset with the jagged mountains, that are well forested with second-growth of coniferous and broadleaf trees such as pines, spruces, firs, ashes, birches, maples, oaks, elms, willows and poplars. Nature crams the mountains with so much greenery, and close-packed leaves excide water vapor. The trails wind through the woods, where sunli and noise are so excluded that an otherworldly atmosphere prevails. Birds are spilling their songs over the quiet woods.

The water and the mountains are well blended by the lake.

Waterfalls rush over some of the mountain crests down to the lake, and the placid, mirror-like water in the lake casts perfect reflections of the forested mountains beside the lake, which, therefore, is described as a fairyland with descending waters in the mountains and reflected mountains in the water. The blue-green water of the jewel ­like lake twinkle along the valley. All along are sweeping vistas that offer a chance at great stretches of solitude. The shimmering lake is excellent for boats that glide through the water of the lake. The waterway is rich with scenic stopping points. Many attractions lie along it. Ferries making crossings generally are in service from late spring until early fall. You will be rewarded with fine views of waterfalls and flowering meadows in addition to the beautiful lake. Wildlife sightings are frequent.

The lake is prolific in over 40 species of fish, best-known are crucian carps. The water of the lake is so clear that you can distinctly spot the abundant fish several meters down. The white or gray thin clouds hanging suspended over or moving across the lake add charms to the lake and make the lake more inviting.

The glow of sunrise and sunset in mid-summer burnishes the splendid peaks that stand guard along the lake-sides and turn the glassy lake glittering gold; and breezes draw ever changing silver ripples on the blue water's surface, making Jingbo Lake one of the most breathtaking lakes in China.

In springtime, some early blooming wildflowers poke their pastel blossoms through the mountain grasses. Summer brings a profusion of colorful and fragrant wildflowers, which are lovely masses of yellows, whites, blues, pinks and reds draping the lake­sides, even the mountains are bristled with wildflowers that fill the air with their fragrance. By mid-June, flame azalea and rhododen­dron light up the mountains. Shaded trails along the lake invite numerous visitors in the mild summertime, and afford cozy places for picnickers to spend a day.

Fall foliage colors are a brilliant sight in the park with golden aspens, birches and willows and scarlet maples mixed with evergreens. All are reflected in the quiet water against the azure sky after summer has finished daubing the mountains with greens Luxu­riant masses of trees, bushes and berry vines laden with fruits of wild grapes, pears, apples and hazelnuts are ripe for people and animals to harvest. The densely shaded mountains along the lake are well floored with ferns and other lush ground covers. A great number of medicinal herbs such as ginseng (Panax ginseng), Chinese milkvetch (Astragalus chinensis), many prickle acanthopanax (Acanthopanax senticosus), along with a great variety of edible plants thrive here such as black fungus, monkey-he ad-shaped fungus and various mushrooms. Winter's icy fingers transform the colorful scene into a white wonderland.