The range is called Changbai Shandi (長白山地; chang2 bai2 shan1 di4) in Mandarin and Changbaek Sanmaek (장백 산맥; 長白山脈) in Korean. In Manchu, the mountains are called golmin šangiyan alin and represent the mythical birthplace of Bukūri Yongšon, ancestor of Nurhaci, who in turn was the founder of the Manchu state. The name literally means "Perpetually White Mountain Region" (in Mandarin; "Range" in Korean).

The highest peak is Baitou (Paektu) Mountain (2,744 m), which is the source of the Songhua, Tumen (Tuman) and Yalu (Amnok) Rivers.