Longwanqun National Forest Park

• Region: Jilin
• Region type: Province
• City: Not yet specified
• Destination type: Not yet specified

Longwanqun National Forest Park, meaning Dragon Bay Group, is a cluster of volcanic crater lakes, known as maar lakes, set within dense virgin forest in Fusong County in southeastern Jilin province, within the wider Changbai Mountain volcanic field. The park protects more than a dozen of these small, deep, near-circular lakes, each formed by ancient volcanic explosions and now filled with strikingly clear water reflecting the surrounding forest, making it one of the more distinctive and less-visited natural attractions associated with the Changbai Mountain region.

Longwanqun sits in Fusong County, southeastern Jilin province, within the broader Changbai Mountain volcanic area, at a distance of roughly one to two hours from Changbai Mountain's main scenic areas depending on route and traffic. The park is more remote and less developed for mass tourism than Changbai Mountain itself, appealing to visitors interested in a quieter, more nature-focused extension of a trip to the wider volcanic region.

The park experiences a cool temperate climate typical of the wider Changbai Mountain region, with mild, green summers well suited to hiking and lake viewing, generally in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius, and long, cold winters with heavy snowfall and temperatures regularly falling well below freezing. Given its forested, higher-elevation setting, conditions can be noticeably cooler than in the lowland cities of Jilin province, and access can become more difficult in winter due to snow on rural roads.

Late spring through early autumn, roughly June through September, is the recommended period, offering the most reliable access to the park's forest trails and the clearest views of the crater lakes, with July and August generally the warmest and most stable weather. Autumn brings attractive foliage color to the surrounding forest. Winter access can be limited by snow and cold on the rural roads leading to the park, so most visitors plan their trip during the warmer months.

The maar lakes of Longwanqun were formed by a series of relatively small, explosive volcanic eruptions associated with the broader Changbai Mountain volcanic field over past geological ages, leaving behind a cluster of near-perfectly circular crater basins that later filled with water. The area was designated a national forest park to protect both the geological significance of the lake cluster and the surrounding virgin forest ecosystem, reflecting China's broader efforts to preserve the distinctive volcanic landscape features found throughout the Changbai Mountain region.

As part of the wider Changbai Mountain volcanic landscape, Longwanqun carries some of the same regional significance attached to the area's volcanic geology and forest ecosystems, though it is far less internationally known than Heaven Lake itself. It appeals particularly to domestic geology and nature enthusiasts interested in the less-visited corners of the Changbai Mountain volcanic field, and its designation as a national forest park reflects China's ongoing efforts to balance conservation with limited, low-impact nature tourism in ecologically significant areas.

Hiking trails wind through the surrounding forest and connect several of the park's crater lakes, allowing visitors to walk between different maar lakes and take in their distinct, near-circular shapes and clear water. Photography is a popular activity given the striking reflective quality of the lakes when conditions are calm, and the relative quiet and lower visitor numbers compared with Changbai Mountain's main scenic areas appeal to those seeking a more peaceful nature experience. Wildlife and birdwatching opportunities also exist given the park's substantial forest cover.

The main draw is the cluster of maar lakes themselves, each a near-perfectly circular volcanic crater filled with remarkably clear water and ringed by dense forest, creating a series of strikingly symmetrical, mirror-like scenes best appreciated on calm days. The surrounding virgin forest, less disturbed than more heavily visited parts of the wider Changbai Mountain region, adds to the park's sense of remoteness and natural character, with the contrast between the dark water and green tree cover a particular visual highlight.

Longwanqun is most practically reached by private car or organized tour from Baishan or one of the gateway towns near Changbai Mountain, such as Songjianghe, with the drive taking roughly one to two hours depending on the specific route and road conditions. There is limited public transport directly to the park, so arranging a private transfer or joining a tour that includes the site is the standard approach for most visitors, often combined with a wider Changbai Mountain itinerary.

The park is generally open during daytime hours, typically from morning until mid-to-late afternoon, allowing enough time to hike between several of the lakes and return before dark. Given its more remote, less commercially developed setting compared with the main Changbai Mountain scenic areas, exact opening hours can be less rigidly enforced but also less consistently staffed, so confirming current access with a local tour operator before visiting is advisable.

Longwanqun typically charges a modest entrance fee for access to the forest park and lake-cluster trails, generally lower than the combined admission and shuttle fees charged at the main Changbai Mountain scenic areas given its smaller scale and more limited infrastructure. Because pricing can change and is less consistently documented for this less-visited site, confirming current costs through a Baishan or Changbai Mountain area tour operator before your visit is recommended.

A half day to full day is generally sufficient to hike between several of the park's crater lakes and take in the main scenery, depending on how many of the lakes you want to visit and your hiking pace. Given the travel time involved in reaching the park from Changbai Mountain's gateway towns, many visitors combine it with an overnight stay in the area rather than attempting it as a rushed add-on to a single-day Changbai Mountain visit.

There is little to no dedicated lodging within the park itself, so most visitors base themselves in Baishan, Songjianghe, or another Changbai Mountain gateway town, all of which offer a range of accommodation from simple guesthouses to more comfortable hotels, and travel to Longwanqun as a day trip or as part of a broader multi-day itinerary covering the wider volcanic region.

Dining options directly at the park are minimal, so most visitors eat in nearby gateway towns such as Songjianghe or Baishan, which offer northeastern Chinese cooking geared toward travelers, including hearty stews, grilled dishes, and dishes built around local mushrooms and wild vegetables typical of the wider Changbai Mountain forest region.

Changbai Mountain and Heaven Lake, the region's most famous natural attractions, lie within one to two hours and are the natural pairing for a Longwanqun visit, since most travelers combine the two as part of a broader trip to the volcanic region. The Koguryo Kingdom heritage sites around Ji'an, further south, offer a historical extension for visitors with additional time in southeastern Jilin province.

Changbaishan Airport, near Baihe, and the rail and bus connections into Baishan or Songjianghe serve as the practical gateways for reaching the wider Changbai Mountain region, from which a private car, taxi, or organized tour provides onward access to Longwanqun, since no direct public transport service runs to the park itself.

Stick to marked trails when hiking between the crater lakes, since the surrounding forest is extensive and can be disorienting away from established paths, and be prepared for changeable mountain weather even in summer with appropriate layers. Given the park's more remote, less commercially developed setting, carrying sufficient water and informing others of your planned route is particularly advisable, and swimming in the lakes is generally not recommended given their depth and cold water temperature.

Sturdy hiking shoes and layered clothing suited to cool, changeable mountain weather are recommended, along with water and snacks given the more limited facilities compared with the main Changbai Mountain scenic areas. A camera is worthwhile given the striking reflective quality of the crater lakes, and insect repellent can be useful during the warmer summer hiking months given the dense surrounding forest.

Because Longwanqun is less commercially developed and less visited than the main Changbai Mountain scenic areas, arranging transport and confirming current access details through a local tour operator or your accommodation in advance is particularly worthwhile. Combining a visit with an overnight stay in Baishan or Songjianghe, rather than attempting it as a rushed same-day add-on to Changbai Mountain, allows a more relaxed pace to appreciate the lake cluster's quieter, more remote character.

For any emergency at Longwanqun or elsewhere in the Changbai Mountain area, dial 110 for police, 120 for ambulance and medical assistance, and 119 for fire services, the standard nationwide numbers staffed around the clock throughout China. The national tourism hotline, 12301, can assist with travel-related issues. Given the park's remote setting and limited on-site staffing, keeping your tour operator's or driver's contact information on hand is particularly important here.

Visitor information for Longwanqun National Forest Park is generally available through Baishan's municipal tourism department and the wider Changbai Mountain area tourism resources, though the site receives less dedicated official promotion than the main Changbai Mountain scenic areas. Checking with a local tour operator or the Baishan tourism office shortly before your visit is the most reliable way to confirm current access, pricing, and trail conditions.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.