Dandong Huangyizi Volcanic Forest Park

Dandong Huangyizi Volcanic Forest Park

Dandong Huangyizi Volcanic Forest Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Huangyizi Volcanic Forest Park is situated 5 kilometers west of Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County in the eastern mountainous region of Liaoning Province. The scenic area spans 40 square kilometers and includes four main zones—the Volcanic Cone, Pear Blossom Village, Xuanwu Lake, and Chengmen Cave—as well as more than 40 sites such as the volcanic crater, small canyons, Qingquan Temple, Ji Yuan Pagoda, and holiday resorts. It combines the qualities of “majesty, beauty, wonder, elegance, and serenity,” serving as a natural volcanic museum.

Huangyizi was formed when magma erupted and accumulated into a “mountain,” was shaped into a “chair” by flowing lava, and was colored green by lush vegetation. The mountain forms its body, the chair its shape, and the green its color. In autumn, the hillsides turn golden, hence the name “Huangyizi” (Yellow Chair Mountain). Geological experts have confirmed that between 8 million and 300,000 years ago, the Kuandian volcanic group was active, producing 89 volcanoes, 19 of which remain well-preserved. The volcanic cone and crater of Huangyizi are the most intact and majestic within the Kuandian group. The main peak stands at an elevation of 504 meters, with the cone rising 204 meters above the surrounding plain. The crater top is 650 meters wide, while the base spans 1.8 kilometers, and the crater itself is 117 meters deep. During the volcanic eruption, a breach occurred on the southern slope, causing the lava to flow southward, resulting in a semi-circular crater and a cone that is steep on the north and gentle on the south. From a distance, it resembles a massive armchair. It is one of the most representative volcanoes in Northeast Asia, featuring concentrated and rare geological landforms that are unique in China and seldom seen worldwide.

Huangyizi boasts concentrated and rare geological landforms, both domestically and internationally, along with rich historical and cultural heritage, a long-standing Buddhist culture, lush forest vegetation, and a superior ecological environment. It is truly a tourist and leisure destination that combines “the wonder of volcanoes, the serenity of river valleys, the beauty of human culture, and the charm of mountain wilderness.”