Jingpo Lake

Jingpo Lake was created around ten thousand years ago when lava flows dammed the Mudan river, backing up water into a lake some forty-five kilometres long between wooded hills, one of the largest lava-dammed lakes in the world. At its northern end the river escapes over a basalt lip in the Diaoshuilou Waterfall, around forty metres wide and twenty high, falling into a circular basin, at its most powerful after summer rain and reduced to threads in dry months, while in winter it freezes into an ice wall. Boats run the lake, and the underground forest nearby, a set of volcanic craters filled with trees growing from the crater floors, is part of the same scenic area.

What you actually see

• Diaoshuilou Waterfall - the fall into a circular basalt basin.
• The long lake - forty-five kilometres of water between wooded hills.
• The underground forest - trees growing inside volcanic crater depressions.
• The boat routes - cruises along the lake from the northern end.

When to go

June to September, with the waterfall strongest from July after the summer rains; by late autumn flow drops sharply. Winter freezes the falls into ice, which draws its own visitors. Facilities are reduced outside summer.

Honest expectations

Waterfall flow varies enormously and dry-season visits are disappointing. The scenic area charges for entry, shuttle and boat separately. Crowds in summer holidays are heavy, and the area is a long trip from Harbin.

Nearby

Mudanjiang lies northeast; the Korean border region is south.