Vertical Natural Landscape Zones of Changbai Mountain

The beautiful and abundant Changbai Mountain resembles a fairy draped in rosy clouds, brimming with imagination and mystery. Once you step into this mountain range, snow blankets the peaks while spring blooms thrive at the foot of the mountain. The lowlands enjoy mild sunshine, yet sleet and snow fall on the high slopes. Barren treeless summits stand in stark contrast to towering ancient trees below. Wild animals gather on the lower ground, while few birds can fly across the mountaintop.

The most breathtaking wonder lies in the four vertical natural zones stretching from temperate to frigid zones. Formed at altitudes from 700 metres to over 2,100 metres under the combined influence of terrain, climate, soil and vegetation, these zones never fail to amaze visitors, who linger on each step, reluctant to depart. An ancient poem goes: One mountain holds four seasons; weather changes within ten li. This is the true portrayal of Changbai Mountain.

Below 1,000 metres lies the gently rolling undulating lava plateau. With mild and moist weather plus thick mountain brown forest soil, this zone features mixed forests of evergreen conifers such as Korean pine and deciduous broadleaf trees. The forest presents distinct layers of lush greenery. Tall arbors rise 20 to 30 metres high in the upper layer; sub-arbors grow more than 10 metres tall in the middle layer; shrubs and herbs cover the ground. Vines climb branches and twine among trees and bushes, coexisting harmoniously in nature. The pleasant temperature and abundant plants make this an ideal habitat for wild animals including Siberian tigers, sika deer, sables and black bears. More than 80 percent of all bird species on Changbai Mountain live here.

Between 1,000 metres and 1,800 metres sits the basalt plateau. Rising elevation brings frigid, snowy winters and cool, humid summers, simplifying the forest structure. This coniferous forest zone consists of two subzones: the bright coniferous forest of spruce, fir and larch, and the dark coniferous forest of Korean pine and dragon spruce. Chilly weather, frequent fog and high humidity sustain perennial rime. Undergrowth grows sparsely, with fallen logs covered in thick moss. Standing amid the woods, one cannot help feeling the heroic sentiment expressed in the line: The hero departs, never to return.

Tall trees and cold dampness attract cold-resistant creatures such as flying squirrels and brown bears. The bird population is dominated by Palaearctic species including woodpeckers and goldcrests.

The zone from 1,800 metres to 2,100 metres is a tundra belt with bitter cold, heavy rainfall, high humidity and fierce winds. Few plant species survive here, chiefly crooked mountain birch trees that form the mountain birch forest zone. The birch trees seldom exceed 10 metres, sprawling sparsely close to the ground. Thick shrubs grow beneath them, while diverse lichens cling to bare rocks, creating a bleak landscape. Every July and August, when temperatures turn mild, red deer, roe deer and wild boars move up here to escape the summer heat.

On the lower volcanic cone above 2,100 metres, bitter cold, strong winds, thin soil and excessive precipitation create a temperate alpine tundra climate. Harsh high-altitude conditions wipe out tall shrubs. The landscape is dominated by low herbs and various lichens, forming a vast expanse of flat alpine tundra. Most plants grow in creeping or cushion shapes with well-developed root systems. Very few birds live here, and the only mammal is the alpine pika. Visitors truly understand the loneliness of high altitudes, just as the poetic line depicts: No birds fly across a thousand mountains; no human footprints can be seen on ten thousand paths.

You will still be left longing for more, overcome by admiration. Come to explore the secluded scenery and witness nature’s grand masterpiece. The vertical natural landscape zones of Changbai Mountain, where four seasons coexist on one mountain, will bring you unexpected delights and endless charm.

Written by Yin Ning Literature Section, Cultural Centre of Changbai County