Exposing the beauty and mysteries of Changbai Mountain

Breathtaking reserve is the stuff of legends, including tales of a lake monster

The Changbai Mountain reserve, which sits between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has long been a major summer and winter tourist destination. But it is also considered a holy mountain in kung fu and other ancient Chinese novels. Why did ancient Chinese literature hold Changbai Mountain so dear and what kinds of fantastical creatures were created out of a love for the mountain?

Part of the reason is geographic. Changbai Mountain, also known as Paektu Mountain, is the tallest in Northeast China. It is also embraced by both the Manchu and Korean people as their sacred place of origin, the range representing the mythical birthplace of the Manchu state and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) founders.