白山市

Why this place

Baishan is the city on the western approach to Changbai Mountain, the highest peak in northeast China and the source of the Songhua, Tumen and Yalu rivers. It is forest country, with ginseng, mushrooms and hot springs.

What to see

• Changbai Mountain's Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) — a crater lake on the border, often hidden in cloud
• The Changbai waterfall and the hot springs on the north slope
• Forest walks and ginseng farms in the surrounding counties

What to eat

• Ginseng dishes and ginseng liquor — the region's famous crop
• Forest mushrooms, fern shoots and wild vegetables

Best time

July–September; the mountain is snowbound from October to May

Practical tips

• Tianchi is visible on maybe one day in three — plan on more than one attempt if it matters to you