National park · China
Jingpohu National Forest Park镜泊湖国家森林公园
Enter Jingpohu National Forest Park: pay ¥45 entry (check), hike Diaoshuilou Waterfall (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in spring–autumn; avoid peak summer weekends.Enter Jingpohu National Forest Park: pay ¥45 entry (check), hike Diaoshuilou Waterfall (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in spring–autumn; avoid peak summer weekends.
- 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
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
1985
Best months
Mar–May
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
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- Approximate total area of lake and surrounding forest about 200 km² (check).
- Established
- 1985
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- Not needed
Jingpohu National Forest Park surrounds China's largest alpine lake, Jingpo Lake, offering forest trails, waterfalls and seasonal fishing in a high‑altitude setting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1985.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 1985
Approximate total area of lake and surrounding forest about 200 km² (check).
Why go
- Jingpo Lake is China’s largest alpine lake with clear water and mountain scenery.
- Diaoshuilou Waterfall offers a dramatic 20 m drop and easy access.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; winter scenery.
- FebSnowy views, fewer visitors.
- MarSpring flowers, mild temps.
- AprBlooming, comfortable hiking.
- MayFull green, waterfalls strong.
- JunPeak fishing season, crowds rise.
- JulWarm, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugWarm, occasional rain.
- SepCooler, fewer tourists.
- OctAutumn colours start.
- NovCrisp, clear days.
- DecCold, possible snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical forest birds and small mammalsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | 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
From Mudanjiang
Direct bus leaves morning, returns afternoon.
≈1 h each way (check)
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Ticket booth, visitor information. | Open during park hours. |
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.
Coordinates approximate; based on park centre and main attractions.
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 | CNY 45 (≈ US$7) | person | Official fee not listed in sources (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; check with park office.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mudanjiang city hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, ~30 km (19 mi) north.Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, ~19 mi (30 km) north.
Safety
Winter snow and ice medium
Summer thunderstorms 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 trails to waterfall and lake are paved or compacted gravel; suitable for most walkers.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile alpine vegetation.
- Use refillable water bottles; no single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jingpohu National Forest Park?
The official entry fee is ¥45 per adult (check official source for exact amount).
What are the best hikes in Jingpohu National Forest Park?
Diaoshuilou Waterfall trail (2 km, easy) and the lakeshore loop around Jingpo Lake are the most popular and accessible.
When is the best time to visit Jingpohu National Forest Park?
Spring (Mar–May) offers flowers and mild weather; autumn (Sep–Oct) gives colourful foliage and fewer crowds.
How do I get to the park from Mudanjiang?
Take the direct morning bus from Mudanjiang; the ride is about an hour and returns in the afternoon.
Are there any camping facilities?
Camping is only allowed in designated sites; check with the park office for locations and permits.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Jingpohu National Forest Park
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