Songhua Lake and Fengman Dam

Songhua Lake is the reservoir created by Fengman Dam on the Second Songhua River in Fengman District, Jilin City, Jilin Province, northeast China. It covers roughly 550 square kilometres and is a popular scenic area for boat cruises, lakeside forest scenery and winter ice and snow activities, while the dam itself is a notable piece of industrial heritage. The scenic area lies about 20 km from Jilin City and about 115 km from Changchun. Most visitors from Changchun take an intercity train to Jilin station in 30 to 45 minutes for CNY 25-45, then a taxi or DiDi of about 40 minutes for CNY 40-70 to the Fengman scenic area. A coach from Jilin to Fengman takes about an hour for CNY 10-20, and a private car from Changchun takes about two hours for CNY 500-800 per day. Because of the distance, a full day should be allowed. A suggested itinerary starts with an early train from Changchun, arriving at the scenic area by mid-morning. The first half of the day suits the dam viewing platforms and the piers, where boat rides cost about CNY 60-150 depending on the route. Lunch can be taken at restaurants near the piers, where lake fish is a common local dish. The afternoon can be spent on lakeside walks or forest paths before the return trip, aiming to reach Jilin station for an early-evening train. June to September is the main season, when the lake is open for boating and the forests are green. In winter, the area becomes a venue for ice and snow activities, though the cold is severe and boat cruises are not available. Weather by the lake can be cooler than in the city, so a light jacket is useful even in summer. Visitors who want to combine the lake with the Songhua River rime in Jilin City can do both in a long winter day, given the proximity.