Tianchi Lake, a crater lake at the highest altitude in the world located in the Changbai Mountains in northeast China's Jilin Province, has started to thaw last Thursday .

Every June, with rising temperature and wind, the lake at China's border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will melt after being frozen for seven months. The ice breaking period starts when the temperature on top of the mountains rise above zero for several consecutive days and usually lasts for five to 10 days.

"When I went to the main peak at 15:00 on June 10, there was no sign of the ice breaking. However, when I went again at 8:30 the next day, after the wind stopped, I found the ice has disappeared on one-third of the lake," said Jiao Xiangzhao, head of Meteorological Station in Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake.

This year's ice breaking period started later than last year, by around one week, and according to observations from the Tianchi meteorological station, the total period will take longer despite the quick pace in the first couple of days due to the weather.

"Last year, the ice breaking period lasted almost 10 days. The estimation for this year is that it will be three to seven days later than that of last year," said Jiao.

Tianchi Lake will show its most beautiful appearance. Notice issued last Wednesday says the entrance ticket of Changbai Mountain Scenic Area will be free from June 11 till June 27.

(Cover image via VCG)

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