Jingpo Lake Scenic Area

Jingpo Lake, also known as Jingbo Lake, is located in a county-level city Ning'an in the southwest of Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province. It features magnificent natural scenery of lakes, waterfalls and volcanic landforms as well as some profound historical and cultural attractions. It was recognized as one of the most important national-level scenic and historic interest areas in 1982 and was awarded the title of Jingpo Lake Global Geopark in 2006.
 According to legends, Jingpo Lake is a mirror of a fairy that fell from heaven. Geographically, the lake is located in the upper reaches of Mudan River. About 4,700 to 8,300 years ago, five volcanic eruptions occurred in Ning'an City because of frequent crustal movements. As a result, the magma turned into a huge dam after cooling and uplifted the upper reaches of Mudan River. Therefore, this dammed lake was formed. Unlike normal lakes, it's not round or oval. The lake retains the shape of a watercourse, long and narrow, like a jade ribbon embedded in mountains.

Jingpo Lake has another name, '100-Li Long Lake'. The S-shaped winding lake is divided into four parts, Upper Lake, North Lake, Middle Lake and South Lake, stretching for a total distance of about 100 li (30 miles). Hence its name. The lake occupies an area of around 30 square miles (79 square kilometers). No wonder it is the largest lava-dammed lake in the world.
 Located at the northern end of Jingpo Lake, Diaoshuilou Waterfall is a must-see of the whole scenic area. The 130 feet (40 meters) wide water fall has a drop of more than 66 feet (20 meters). During the flood period, its width extends to 330 feet (100 meters). The water eventually falls into a 200 feet (60 meters) deep pool with a diameter of 230 feet (70 meters). According to some researches, the waterfall is formed on a collapsed lava cave. Known as the widest waterfall in Asia, Diaoshuilou Water resembles the world-famous Niagara Falls very much. There visitors can enjoy a breathtaking waterfall jumping performance at 10:00 and 14:00. A man called Di Huanran will jump from the waterfall and then climb the cliff to reach the top bare-handed.
 With a diameter of about 230 to 1,800 feet (70 to 550 meters) and a depth of around 100 to 430 feet (30 to 132 meters), 12 volcano craters are scattered in the northwest part of the scenic area. Today, these craters are covered with dense woods. The volcano craters and the forest form a spectacular landscape called ‘Underground Forest’. Besides, large lava tunnels in various shapes can be found on the volcanic plateaus, among which the longest one is more than 32,800 feet (10,000 meters) long. It is the largest and most intact lava tunnel found in China.
 Jingpo Lake Scenic Area also includes many historical sites of Bohai Regime. Two most famous ones are Shangjing Longquanfu and Xinglong Temple.

Shangjing Longquanfu is an imperial city patterned on Chang’an City, the capital of Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD) and today’s Xi'an City. It comprises outer city, inner city and imperial palaces. So far, the city walls and the main buildings of the imperial palaces have been preserved intact. Dae Jo-yeong, the leader of the Sumo-Mohe Tribe, established the Jin State in Dunhua City of Jilin Province in 698. In 755, his successor moved the capital to Shangjing Longquanfu.

Standing to the northeast of the lake, Xinglong Temple houses several valuable cultural relics of Bohai Regime. The most famous one is the Stone Lamp Tower, a Buddhist stone carving that embodies the architectural styles and stone carving techniques of Tang Dynasty and Bohai Regime.
 Every year, a winter fishing festival will be held from December to the next March. There will be a worship ceremony for the Lake Lord and fishing nets. Tourists can not only participate in ice fishing activities, but also can taste authentic local fish dishes.
  From Harbin to Mudanjiang:
By Bus:
Take a regular bus from Nangang Passenger Transport Station. It departs around 20 to 40 minutes from 06:30 to 18:00. Bus fare is CNY around 94.

By Train:
Take a train from Harbin Railway Station or East Railway Station. It takes around 4.5 to 6.5 hours.

 From Changchun to Mudanjiang:
By Bus:
Take a bus (Changchun - Jixi) from Kaixuan Road Passenger Transport Station, which departs at 10:15. It passes by Mudanjiang. Bus fare is CNY 123.

By Train:
Take a train from Changchun Railway Station to Mudanjiang. It takes around 8 to 9.5 hours.

If visitors arrive by bus, then they just change a bus upon arrival for Jingpo Mountain Villa in the scenic area. It departs at 13:25 and 14:30. Bus fare is CNY 21. Arriving by train, they can take a free shuttle bus to Mudanjiang Passenger Transport Station with their train tickets. Those without the train tickets can pay CNY 1 to take the bus. The shuttle bus can be found about 160 feet (50 meters) from the south exit of Mudanjiang Railway Station. Or they can take bus no. 16 or 6 to reach the passenger Transport Station. Then they can use the above-mentioned bus to get to the scenic area.

Visitors can also take the direct bus to Jingpo Lake Scenic Area. The bus stops near the south exit of the railway station. It departs at 08:00 and returns at 16:00. It costs around CNY 30 for a one-way ticket and CNY 50 for round-trip tickets.
 

Admission Fee	May 1 to the end of next February: CNY 100 March 1 to April 30: CNY 70 Note: 1. Children no taller than 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) enjoy free entry. 2. The ticket is valid for two entries within 48 hours.
Underground Forest	CNY 55
Jingpo Valley	CNY 60
Sightseeing Bus	CNY 12 per person for a single trip
Sightseeing Boat	CNY 100 per person
Best Time to Go	June to September