National park · China
Songhuahu National Park松花湖国家公园
Enter Songhuahu National Park: pay ¥?? entry fee, drive 56 km (35 mi) from Jilin City, hike the lakeside trail in summer; avoid winter crowds.Enter Songhuahu National Park: pay ¥?? entry fee, drive 35 mi (56 km) from Jilin City, hike the lakeside trail in summer; avoid winter crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
550 km² (212 sq mi)212 sq mi (550 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 550 km² (212 sq mi)212 sq mi (550 km²)
- Park covers Songhua Lake (≈550 km²) and surrounding forest; exact boundaries may vary (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Songhuahu National Park protects the large Songhua Lake and adjacent forest in Jilin, offering lakeside walks, birdwatching and a nearby ski area.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
550 km² (212 sq mi)212 sq mi (550 km²) · national park since 2000
Park covers Songhua Lake (≈550 km²) and surrounding forest; exact boundaries may vary (check).
Why go
- Lake scenery with forested shoreline.
- Winter snow‑covered landscape for ski area nearby.
- Opportunity for quiet hikes away from city.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible ice on trails.
- FebCold, snow may linger.
- MarEarly spring, melting snow.
- AprMild, lake view clear.
- MayWarm, flora abundant.
- JunWarm, occasional rain.
- JulWarm, peak tourist season.
- AugWarm, occasional storms.
- SepCool, fewer crowds.
- OctCool, autumn colors.
- NovCold, early frost.
- DecCold, possible ice.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl and migratory birdsMar–May, Sep–Oct · Best early morning. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Forest mammals (deer, small carnivores)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake shoreline | Main walking trails along Songhua Lake. | Open with park entry ticket. |
| Ski area | Beidahu Skiing Ground and Songhua Hu Ski Area. | Lift tickets sold on site. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions based on Jilin City centre and known ski area locations.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Entry fee not published; check at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on leash; check at gate.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; otherwise not allowed.
Where to stay
Near the park
Jilin City hotels
Wide range of budget to mid‑range hotels 30 km (19 mi) away.Wide range of budget to mid‑range hotels 19 mi (30 km) away.
In the park
Park campgrounds
Basic sites with fire pits; book in advance.
Safety
Cold weather medium
Snow avalanches (ski area) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main lakeside trail is flat and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile lakeshore vegetation.
- Use refillable water bottles; refill at park taps.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Songhuahu National Park?
The park does not publish a fixed entry fee; visitors buy a ticket at the gate. Check the current price on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Songhuahu National Park?
The lakeside trail along Songhua Lake offers easy walks with lake views; a longer loop around the northern shore is moderate and takes 3–4 hours.
When is the best time to visit Songhuahu National Park?
Late spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) give mild weather and clear lake views with fewer crowds.
Can I ski at Songhuahu?
Yes. The nearby Beidahu Skiing Ground operates from 8:30 AM to 4 PM; lift tickets are ¥240 for half‑day and ¥320 for full‑day.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Camping is permitted only in designated campgrounds; other areas are off‑limits.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Songhuahu National Park
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