Encounter Atlas
Heaven Lake fills the crater of a volcano on the border between China's Jilin Province and North Korea. It is cold, deep and high, yet visitors have reported large animals swimming in it for over a century.
The first report, in 1903, described a buffalo-like creature. In August 1962 a man with a telescope said he watched two chasing each other. More recent descriptions mention a human-like head on a long neck with a white ring around it. In September 2007 a Chinese TV reporter said he filmed six seal-like creatures with long fins swimming in pairs for over an hour.
Scientists doubt anything large could live in the lake. Skeptics suggest floating volcanic rock or swimming bears.
What witnesses report
- A seal-like head with a white ring around the neck
- Several animals swimming together
- Long fins or flippers
Famous cases
- 1903Buffalo-like creature report
Heaven Lake, Jilin, China - 1962Telescope sighting of two animals
Heaven Lake - 2007TV reporter films six creatures
Heaven Lake, Jilin, China
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