Tengchong Volcanic Geopark
腾冲火山地热国家地质公园
One of China's four major volcanic clusters. You can climb the complete Dakong and Xiaokong volcano cones to look into their craters, take a hot-air balloon over the volcanic field and visit the columnar joints and Heiyu River.
Tengchong's volcanic cluster contains 97 volcanoes. The core scenic area is the volcano park in Mazhan Township, about 23 kilometres north of the city. It is a national geopark. Three dormant volcanoes, Dakong Mountain, Xiaokong Mountain and Heikong Mountain, stand in a line. Dakong Mountain rises to 2,072 metres above sea level, with a cone about 100 metres high. Reaching the summit requires climbing 597 steps. The crater at the top is 140 metres across and 40 metres deep, and pines cover the cone. A circular path around the crater offers views over the entire volcanic field and surrounding farmland. Xiaokong Mountain stands only 40 metres above its base, with fewer steps and a crater 150 metres in diameter, making it suitable for visitors with moderate fitness. The entrance houses the Volcano Geology Museum, which displays volcanic bombs, pumice and geological structures. A tethered hot-air balloon at the entrance rises about 200 metres and stays aloft for 15 to 20 minutes, offering views of all three volcanoes. It costs about 200 to 270 yuan per person and typically operates from 08:00 to 11:00. It may be suspended in strong winds or rain, so book in advance. Admission to the park is about 40 yuan, and a combined ticket with Rehai is available. This includes the Columnar Joint Scenic Area, with hexagonal basalt cliffs along the Longchuan River north of Tengchong city, and Heiyu River, a cold spring welling up from beneath volcanic lava. These two sites are 15 to 20 kilometres from the volcano park, so they're easy to add if you're driving. Opening hours are 08:00 to 18:00. Getting there: a taxi from the city takes about 40 minutes. You can also join a one-day tour combining the volcanoes and Beihai Wetland. There is no direct bus. Note: the steps up Dakong Mountain are steep, so wear trainers. The summit offers no shade and strong UV exposure. Don't go down into the crater. Balloon flights require advance booking and depend on the weather, so don't build your itinerary around them.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00 (hot air balloons 08:00–11:00, weather permitting)
Nearby sights
- Ginkgo Village (Jiangdong)
- Beihai Wetland
- Mayugu Hot Spring Town
- Baofeng Mountain & Temple
- Yunfeng Mountain
- Tengchong Museum
- Dieshui River Waterfall
- National Heroes Cemetery & Western Yunnan Anti-Japanese War Memorial