Once a volcano in ancient times, Changbai Mountain, with rich natural resources, has nurtured the indigenous people of Northeast China and helped to develop its unique culture.

Human activities in Changbai Mountain can be traced back to primitive society, but as far as the historical establishment of Changbai Mountain is concerned, it began during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24).

It was under the jurisdiction of Juli county in the Western Han Dynasty, and a land occupied by the Goguryeo Kingdom in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). It was also the dwelling place for Sumo Mohe, an ancient nationality of Northeast China, and the site of the ancient Bohai Kingdom during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is also the place of origin of the Dongdan Kingdom during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). Different administrative units were set up here with the changing of dynasties.

Between the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Changbai Mountain area was the place where the Qing rulers emerged and was therefore protected as an imperial domain.

In 1909, Antu and Fusong counties were established under the Changbai mansion of Fengtian.

In December 1939, Antu was placed under the jurisdiction of Jiandao province in the Puppet Manchurian Empire.

In 1950, the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China established the Changbai Mountain Forest Public Security Team.

From 1953 to 1954, the forestry regulation brigade of the Ministry of Forestry conducted surveys and zoning of forest resources in the Changbai Mountains. They also compiled a forest experience project, drew a forest map, and reformed the forest police team.

From 1955 to 1957, the Toudao forest management office, Erdao, Baishan and Huangsongpu forest farms were established.

In 1958, the Jilin Meteorological Service and the Jilin Provincial Sports Committee established a high mountain weather station on the east side of Tianwen Peak and a high mountain ice and snow field three kilometers down from the hot spring.

In 1960, the second team of the Jilin provincial forestry investigation and design institute conducted another survey and zoning for the establishment of the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve.

In April 1960, Jilin province established the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve in accordance with the proposal of the third session of the National People's Congress and the spirit of the Ministry of Forestry.

In December 1962, Jilin approved and forwarded the report of the Ministry of Forestry and adjusted some zoning of the reserve.

In December 1968, the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve Administration was revoked, and the management stations were delegated to Antu, Changbai, and Fusong counties.

In December 1972, the Jilin provincial revolutionary committee took back the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve Administration Bureau, which was directly led by the Jilin provincial forestry bureau.

In August 1982, Jilin decided to abolish the difference between the absolute protection area and the general protection area, referred to it as Jilin Province Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve, and readjusted the scope of the protection area.

In July 1986, the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve was listed as a national forest and wildlife nature reserve.

On November 9, 1988, the sixth standing committee of the seventh session of the People's Congress of Jilin passed the "Regulations on the Management of Jilin Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve", which provided a legal basis for the standardized management of the reserve.

In 2005, the Jilin Provincial Party Committee established a management committee to further protect the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve, accelerate the cultivation of tourism industries, and realize the unified planning, protection, development and management of the region.

In 2006, the Provincial Forestry Department entrusted the management of the Changbai Mountain Protection Bureau to the Changbai Mountain Protection Development Management Committee.