Wudalianchi scenic area 五大连池风景区

About Wudalianchi scenic area

Eruptions blocked an earlier river channel, producing the chain of five lakes that gives the area its name. Dark basalt surfaces preserve different lava textures, while springs and water-filled depressions show how water now moves through the volcanic ground. The geopark covers a wide area with separately managed stops, so a useful first visit pairs one volcanic landscape with a spring or lake rather than attempting every cone.

The two most recent volcanoes last erupted in 1719-1721, during the Kangxi era (康熙) of the Qing dynasty, making them China's youngest volcanoes. Waterfalls are common where the five lakes meet, and marshes have formed between them; from south to north they are named Tou Chi, Er Chi, San Chi, Si Chi and Wu Chi (头池, 二池, 三池, 四池, 五池).

The park's basalt has solidified into a stone sea (石海) whose surface resembles a heaving ocean of frozen waves, and includes numerous volcanic cones, the largest being Heilongshan (黑龙山). A southern spring (南泉) yields bicarbonate mineral water containing more than ten trace elements. According to local tradition, the Daur people who lived nearby drank from the spring, believing it could treat stomach ailments and benefit health; the spring is grouped with France's Vichy mineral springs and Russia's North Caucasus springs as one of the 'world's three great cold springs' (世界三大冷泉).

Because of its large exposed area and typical geological structure, the volcanic field is described as 'an open volcanic textbook' (一本打开的火山教科书). Wudalianchi was included in the first group of China National Geoparks (中国国家地质公园) in 1989, and on 13 February 2004 UNESCO approved it as part of the first batch of World Geoparks (世界地质公园).

What to look for

• Basalt lava fields and volcanic cones, including the Laoheishan landscape.
• The linked lakes and mineral-spring areas that reveal the interaction of lava and water.

The surrounding area

Northern border-city base with markets and Russian-influenced dining; not a Harbin day-walk district.

Location & getting there

Getting to Wudalianchi scenic area

Use the visitor-service centre at Shengshui Square in the scenic-area town to establish the day's permitted route and transport.

• The geopark operates visitor transport between separate sites; check the current service and ticket coverage before setting out.