Wudalianchi Scenic Area is located in Wudalianchi City, Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a World Geopark, and a World Biosphere Reserve. The scenic area features volcanic landforms and mineral spring resources as its core, with a total area of 1,060 square kilometers, including 321,000 mu of forest land, 57,300 mu of grassland, and 150,000 mu of wetland. There are 14 volcanoes of different ages here, with eruption times spanning over 2 million years, forming unique geological landscapes such as volcanic cones, crater lakes, and lava plateaus. It also has rare cold mineral springs in the world, with high scientific research, medical, and tourism value.
History and Culture
Volcanic activities in Wudalianchi have a long history. The earliest volcanic eruption began about 2.07 million years ago, and the latest one occurred between 1719 and 1721, forming two new volcanoes, Laoheishan and Huoshaoshan, as well as five connected lakes - Wudalianchi, which were formed by volcanic lava blocking the Baihe River course. This is also the origin of the scenic area's name.
Local ethnic minorities discovered the medical effects of mineral springs hundreds of years ago, calling them "divine springs". During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, the official began to attach importance to the mineral spring resources here, gradually forming a tradition of using mineral springs to treat diseases. In the 1980s, Wudalianchi Scenic Area was officially developed and constructed. Its unique volcanic geological landscapes and mineral spring culture attracted global attention, becoming an important base for studying volcanic ecosystems and mineral spring medicine.
Main Attractions
Laoheishan (Old Black Mountain)
Laoheishan is one of the youngest volcanoes in Wudalianchi, erupting between 1719 and 1721. It has an altitude of 515.9 meters, a crater diameter of 350 meters, and a depth of 136 meters. The mountain is composed of black pumice and lava, with a vast lava plateau around it, covering an area of 80 square kilometers. Tourists can climb to the crater along the plank road to overlook the funnel-shaped crater. They can also enjoy rare lava landforms such as the "Fanhua Stone Sea" and "fumarolic cones". The Fanhua Stone Sea is formed by the cooling of molten magma, resembling a sea of stones with surging waves, covering an area of about 20 square kilometers.
Wudalianchi (Lake Group)
Wudalianchi consists of five connected lakes, namely Touchi, Erchi, Sanchi, Sichi, and Wuchi from south to north. The total area is 18.47 square kilometers, with a total water storage capacity of about 157 million cubic meters. Among them, Sanchi is the largest with an area of 8.4 square kilometers, and Wuchi is the deepest with a water depth of about 12 meters. The lakes are surrounded by volcanic lava landforms, with clear water reflecting the volcanic cones, presenting a unique scenery. Visitors can take boat tours in summer, and the lake surface freezes in winter, forming a natural ice rink, which is a good place to enjoy volcanic ice scenery.
Yaoquanshan (Medicinal Spring Mountain)
Yaoquanshan has an altitude of 355.8 meters and is the only volcano in the scenic area with a crater lake. The crater has a diameter of 240 meters and a depth of 39 meters, and the accumulated water in the lake forms a "heavenly well". At the foot of the mountain, there are famous mineral springs such as Nanquan, Beiquan, and Erlongyanquan. Among them, Nanquan and Beiquan are drinking mineral springs, rich in various minerals such as metasilicic acid and radon, with a water temperature maintained at 2-4℃ all year round, having the effects of invigorating the stomach and aiding digestion. Erlongyanquan is a bathing spring with clear water, which can be used for washing. Every year, a large number of tourists come here to drink the spring water and take baths to experience the magical effects of the mineral springs.
Longmen Shizhai (Dragon Gate Stone Village)
Longmen Shizhai was formed by a volcanic eruption about 280,000 years ago. It is a lava plateau formed by the accumulation of boulders from the volcanic eruption, covering an area of about 20 square kilometers. The boulders here can be up to several meters in diameter, with various shapes, some resembling lying dragons, some like giant lions, hence the name "Longmen Shizhai". Rare plants adapted to the volcanic environment, such as volcanic poplars and yulin pine, grow in the stone village, forming a unique volcanic ecosystem, making it an ideal place for hiking and popular science education.
Shuijinggong (Crystal Palace)
Shuijinggong is a volcanic lava ice cave, formed about 300,000 years ago, with a total length of 150 meters. The temperature inside the cave is maintained at around -5℃ all year round. The rock walls inside the cave are covered with crystal-clear frost flowers and ice stalactites, which look like a crystal palace under the light, hence the name. The ice layer in the ice cave is formed by the freezing of groundwater remaining after the volcanic eruption in a low-temperature environment. Even in summer, thick ice layers can be seen, making it a unique attraction for summer cooling and ice scenery viewing.
Food
Mineral Spring Fish
Mineral spring fish are produced in the lakes of Wudalianchi. Because they grow in cold spring water rich in minerals, their meat is tender, delicious, and rich in protein and various trace elements. Common cooking methods include braised mineral spring fish in clear soup and braised mineral spring fish in sauce. Among them, braised mineral spring fish in clear soup can best reflect its original flavor, with milky white soup, fresh and not fishy, which is a must-try local specialty.
Mineral Spring Tofu
Mineral spring tofu is made from Wudalianchi's mineral spring water and high-quality local soybeans. It has a delicate taste, rich bean flavor, and is rich in minerals. It can be eaten cold, stir-fried, or made into tofu soup. Among them, mineral spring tofu mixed with green onions is refreshing and delicious, which can retain the tenderness of tofu to the greatest extent, and is a common dish in local farm banquets.
Volcanic Slab Barbecue
Volcanic slab barbecue uses the unique volcanic slabs of Wudalianchi as the baking pan. The marinated beef and mutton are roasted on the preheated slabs. The volcanic slabs conduct heat evenly, which can lock the moisture and nutrition of the meat. The roasted meat is tender and juicy with a unique charred aroma. With local sauces and vegetables, it has a unique flavor and is a characteristic food to experience volcanic culture.
Tickets
Wudalianchi Scenic Area implements a joint ticket system. The price of the joint ticket is 145 yuan per person, including major attractions such as Laoheishan, Huoshaoshan, Wudalianchi (including boat tours), and Longmen Shizhai. Yaoquanshan Scenic Area is charged separately, with a ticket price of 20 yuan per person; the ticket for Shuijinggong (Ice Cave) is 30 yuan per person, and the ticket for Bailongdong is 30 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "五大连池旅游" to get the latest updates. As of July 2, 2025, this official WeChat public account does not provide online ticket purchasing function.
Opening Hours
Wudalianchi Scenic Area is open all year round. The opening hours in the peak season (May 1 - October 31) are 7:30 - 17:30; the opening hours in the off-season (November 1 - April 30 of the next year) are 8:00 - 16:30. Some attractions such as boat tours will be suspended in winter due to the freezing of the lake surface. For details, please refer to the scenic area announcement.
Tour Route
Recommended three-day tour route: Visit Laoheishan in the morning of the first day (about 3 hours) to enjoy the crater and lava plateau; go to Wudalianchi in the afternoon, take a boat tour of Sanchi and Sichi (about 2 hours), and stay at a mineral spring sanatorium near the scenic area in the evening. Visit Longmen Shizhai in the morning of the second day (about 2.5 hours); visit Yaoquanshan in the afternoon to experience drinking spring water and foot bathing (about 2 hours). Go to Shuijinggong (Ice Cave) in the morning of the third day (about 1 hour), and end the trip in the afternoon.
If time is tight, you can choose a one-day tour route, focusing on visiting Laoheishan and Wudalianchi to experience the core geological landscapes.
Transportation
- Train: You can take a train to Wudalianchi Station (formerly Zhanhe Station), which is about 30 kilometers away from the scenic area. After getting off, you can take a taxi or a tourist special line bus to the scenic area, which takes about 40 minutes, and the taxi fare is about 50 yuan.
- Bus: Heihe Bus Station has direct buses to Wudalianchi Scenic Area, about 6 shifts a day, with departure times from 7:00 to 15:30, the journey takes about 2 hours, and the fare is 25 yuan per person; there are also long-distance buses from Harbin to the scenic area, the journey takes about 6 hours, and the fare is about 100 yuan per person.
- Self-driving: Starting from Heihe City, drive along Jihei Expressway (G1211) towards Wudalianchi, with a total distance of about 120 kilometers, and the journey takes 1.5 hours; starting from Harbin City, drive along Suibei Expressway (G1111) and then transfer to Jihei Expressway (G1211), with a total distance of about 380 kilometers, and the journey takes 4.5 hours. There are multiple parking lots in the scenic area, with a charging standard of 5 yuan per time.
- Transportation within the scenic area: The scenic area is large, and the distance between attractions is relatively far. You can take the scenic area sightseeing bus, with a through ticket of 50 yuan per person, valid for two days, and you can transfer between various attractions unlimited times.
Must-visit Attractions
- Laoheishan: The core attraction of the scenic area, where you can enjoy the crater and the 20-square-kilometer Fanhua Stone Sea, and feel the spectacular remains of volcanic eruptions.
- Wudalianchi (Lake Group): Composed of five connected lakes with a total area of 18.47 square kilometers, you can enjoy the unique landscape of volcanoes and lakes reflected by taking a boat tour.
- Yaoquanshan: Experience the rare cold mineral springs in the world, drink mineral springs with health-care effects, or soak your feet by the spring to relax and feel the mineral spring culture.
Travel Tips
- The best seasons to visit: Summer (June - August) with cool climate, suitable for viewing volcanic landscapes and experiencing mineral springs; autumn (September - October) with colorful mountains, beautiful scenery; winter can enjoy ice caves and volcanic snow scenery, but the temperature is low.
- Most of the scenic area is volcanic lava landform with rough roads. It is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes; the ultraviolet rays are strong in summer, so you need to bring sun protection products and hats; the temperature in winter can be below -30℃, so you need to wear thick down jackets, snow boots, scarves and other cold-proof equipment.
- Although mineral springs have health-care effects, they should not be consumed excessively. It is recommended to follow the guidance of local guides; when drinking spring water, you can use the special cups provided by the scenic area to keep hygienic.
- It is recommended to stay in the scenic area for one night to experience the characteristic services of the mineral spring sanatorium, such as mineral spring bath and mud therapy, which help to relieve fatigue.
- The catering price in the scenic area is relatively high, so you can bring some dry food by yourself; if you want to taste special food, it is recommended to choose farm restaurants near the scenic area, which are more cost-effective.
Precautions
- The volcanic lava landform in the scenic area is fragile. Do not climb or damage rocks and vegetation at will, and abide by the environmental protection principle of "only leaving footprints, only taking photos".
- Pay attention to hygiene when drinking mineral springs. Do not directly touch the spring eye with your mouth, and use the containers provided by the scenic area to fetch water.
- There are many mosquitoes in the scenic area in summer, so you need to bring mosquito repellent products; the roads are icy and slippery in winter, so you need to pay attention to safety when walking and taking vehicles.
- Some attractions such as craters and ice caves require long-distance hiking. The elderly and children are recommended to go with their families and adjust the itinerary according to their own conditions.
- The signal in the scenic area is weak. It is recommended to download offline maps in advance and keep in touch with peers to avoid acting alone.