Wudalianchi

Five volcanic lava-dammed lakes strung together, with the Laoheishan crater, the Shilong lava fields and cold mineral springs — known as a "natural volcano museum".

Wudalianchi lies within Wudalianchi City, Heihe, Heilongjiang Province, on the southwestern foothills of the Lesser Khingan Range, and is both a UNESCO Global Geopark and a World Biosphere Reserve. The area holds 14 volcanoes; Laoheishan and Huoshaoshan erupted in 1719–1721, and their lava flows dammed the Bai River to form five lava-dammed lakes linked from south to north (the First to Fifth Pools) — hence the name Wudalianchi, "Five Connected Lakes". It is often called a "natural volcano museum".

The area roughly divides into three parts. In the north is the core zone of Laoheishan, Huoshaoshan, the Shilong lava plateau and the Fairy Palace, where you can climb to the crater and walk lava boardwalks. The lake area centres on boat trips on the Third Pool (White Dragon Lake), the largest of the five. In the south, Wudalianchi Town (Yaoquan Town) is the main base for accommodation, with the North Drinking Spring, Erlongyan Spring, Zhongling Temple on Yaoquan Hill and Yaoquan Lake; you can sample the naturally carbonated cold mineral water for free and try mineral mud bath therapy. To the east are the Longmen Stone Village rock sea and the Crystal Palace underground glacier, and to the west is forest-clad Gelaqiu Mountain.

The best season is June–September, when cool summers make it a great place to escape the heat and take a health retreat; autumn colours peak in late September. Winters drop to -20 to -30°C, when you can see mist rising over the warm-water lakes and the rock sea under snow, though some attractions close. Getting there: fly into Wudalianchi Dedu Airport, or take a train to Bei'an or Wudalianchi Station and transfer; it is also about 5 hours' drive from Harbin. The sights are spread out, so self-driving or hiring a car is recommended; allow 2–3 days. Tickets and shuttle buses for each scenic area are sold separately; check official announcements for peak-season arrangements and opening hours.

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