Songhua Lake Area  (Songhuahu Fengjingqu), located 24 kilometers east of the city center, is a popular tourist spot close to the city. This long, narrow lake surrounded by hilly forests is a good place to visit all year around. In the spring and summer the area is ideal for boating and swimming and in the winter for skiing.

Originally this area was a little known mountainous region. In 1937, however, construction began on the Fengman Dam, named for its proximity to the nearby town of the same name.  

Covering a total area of 700 square meters, Songhuahu boasts eight scenic spots within the lake area, ranging from peaks and ponds to attractive hilly slopes. Apart from its picturesque scenery, the lake also abounds in flora and fauna: whitefish, carp and nameless fish as well as over 160 species of herbal medicines. If you are lucky enough, you may also bump into rarer species such as roe deer, black bear and lynx. 

The lake even has its own Loch Ness variety lake monster myth. In 1992 a soldier visiting the lake on leave reported being attacked by a dragon-like creature. The local tourism industry here has never looked back. 

In recent years, thanks to this booming travel industry, the lake has reaped in considerable revenue with the completion of the Songhuahu Ski Resort.