Weishan Mountain

Weishan Mountain

Also known as Wulv Mountain, Weishan is an ecological ancient volcano. It has a broad, flat base covered with deep volcanic fertile soil. Located in the northern part of the volcanic group, it stands at an elevation of 516.6 meters with a relative height difference of 96 meters. The volcano is oval-shaped, with its vent facing northwest. The cone is steep on the eastern side and gentle on the western side, featuring a dome-shaped profile that resembles a long horse tail extending westward, from which it gets its name.

The base diameter of the volcanic cone is 700 meters, with an inner crater diameter of 350 meters and a crater depth of 89 meters. The shield-like elevated base slopes gently in all directions, with slope lengths of 5 kilometers. This means the area of wild terrain in the foothills at elevations above 360 meters spans 24 square kilometers. This area is almost entirely flat, consisting of grasslands and wooded land. Apart from the southern grassland, the rest is covered with trees. The crater wall is higher on the eastern half and lower on the western half, with a defect in the northwest where it gradually descends by 45 meters from the highest point.

The mountain is scattered with rocks everywhere, and the view from the top is stunning, with the eastern volcanic group, the Five Connected Lakes, and the western volcanic group appearing as if they are right at your feet.

The complex and diverse volcanic lava landforms, along with the unique and varied living conditions, have nurtured and developed the unique, rich, and well-preserved volcanic natural ecosystem of the Five Connected Lakes.

The Five Connected Lakes serve as a paradise for various forms of life, showcasing an exceptionally rich biodiversity, which is among the best not only in northern China but also in the same latitude regions of the northern temperate zone.

Moose are typical animals of the subarctic coniferous forest. They mainly inhabit pristine coniferous forests and mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests, never straying far from woodlands. In winter, when snowfall is heavy, although moose have long legs and can move freely through snow less than 60 centimeters deep, the snow not only hinders their movement but also covers many edible plants. Therefore, during times of extreme food scarcity, moose may also mix in with domestic cattle herds.

Black bears are referred to as moon bears, Himalayan bears, or Tibetan bears, while in China, they are called dog bears, blind bears, or dog-backed bears.

Black bears have coarse and dense fur, typically black (though some are brown). They have a very distinct white or yellowish-white crescent-shaped patch on their chest. Black bears usually roam at night and rest in tree hollows or rock caves during the day. In autumn, they venture out even less during daylight. Despite their bulky build, they are skilled swimmers and tree climbers.

A cultural relics survey in 1976 identified 10 Neolithic cultural sites within the territory of Wudalianchi City (formerly Dedu County), proving that humans had been active here 4,000 years ago.

During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Wudalianchi City was inhabited by the Sushen people, later becoming part of the Suimo region. In the Qin and Han dynasties, it was part of the Han Suimo or Wuhuan territories, and during the Three Kingdoms period, it belonged to the Northern Fuyu region. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was the territory of the Heishui Moshe tribe. In the Liao Dynasty, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Dongjing Circuit Shiwang Mansion and was inhabited by the Wuyan Turks. In the Jin Dynasty, it was part of the Shangjing Road and Pu’yu Road jurisdictions, inhabited by the Jurchen Wanyan tribe. In the early Yuan Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of the Kaiyuan Road of the Liaoyang Provincial Administration, and in the mid-to-late Yuan period, it came under the Pu’yu Road Wanhu Mansion of the Shuidada Road, as part of the fiefdom of Wo Chijin. In the Ming Dynasty, it was governed by the Namohe Wei Wudehe Subprefecture of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission. In the Qing Dynasty, it was part of the Daur-inhabited territory under the jurisdiction of the Buteha General Office, organized into the Buteha Eight Banners, with Dedu being the settlement of the Zhengbai Banner tribe.