Black Dragon Mountain

Black Dragon Mountain

Nestled within the picturesque Wudalianchi area of Heilongjiang Province, there stands a striking volcano — Black Dragon Mountain. Perched atop a dark basalt plateau and surrounded by verdant volcanic forests, it resembles an isolated island floating amidst a sea of emerald and stone, evoking a deep sense of wonder.

Black Dragon Mountain is a young volcano, formed after two eruptions in 1719 and 1720. The eruptions were extraordinarily spectacular. According to *A Record of Outer Heilongjiang* by Xiqing: “One day, fire suddenly burst from the earth, rocks flew into the air, and the deafening noise shook the wilderness. Several days later, the flames died down, and the area became a pool — an extraordinary event that occurred in the 58th year of the Kangxi reign, still talked about today.” The second eruption was even more powerful and prolonged. Wu Zhenchen’s *Brief Account of Ningguta* describes it in detail: “In June and July of the 59th year of Kangxi’s reign, smoke and flames suddenly shot into the sky with thunderous roars, day and night without cease, audible over fifty or sixty li. What erupted were mostly black rocks and sulfur, continuously for years, eventually forming a mountain.” Thus, Black Dragon Mountain and its nearby neighbor, Huoshao Mountain, were born from smoke and fire, leaving behind a vivid and well-preserved volcanic landscape for future generations to admire.

Major Attractions: Water Curtain Cave and Fairy Palace. The Water Curtain Cave is relatively shallow, with water droplets frequently falling from its ceiling, while the Fairy Palace extends several zhang deep, twisting and turning, often covered in year-round ice, exuding a chilling and mysterious aura — no wonder locals named it the Fairy Palace. A mountain path near the Water Curtain Cave leads to the summit of Black Dragon Mountain. As you climb up the trail, your feet tread on purple-red or brownish-black volcanic gravel and scoria, while the path is lined with dense, twiggy shrubs and tall, graceful birch trees. These hardy plants thrive in the crevices between lava and debris, showcasing the resilience of life. As you round the bends and finally reach the mountaintop, a breathtaking panorama unfolds before your eyes. Thirteen other volcanic cones — both old and new — spread out in all directions, each with its own unique charm. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the Five Connected Lakes, along with the Medicine Spring Lake and Crescent Moon Lake connected to them by waterways, sparkle like a string of pearls nestled among the volcanoes, creating a delightful contrast with the volcanic cones. Up close, you can see basalt formations resembling coiled stone dragons stretching across the land, and in wider sections, they look like frozen ocean waves, preserving a moment of history as vividly as if it happened yesterday. Most impressive of all is perhaps the perfectly preserved crater of Black Dragon Mountain.

Atop this truncated cone-shaped summit lies a massive crater, over a hundred meters deep and shaped like a funnel. Its steep inner walls are barren, covered only with purplish-red, brownish-red, or dark brown volcanic rocks, along with loose scoria and volcanic ash. Many rocks hang precariously, serving as perches for birds. Looking down from the rim, the view is steep, deep, and dizzying. Vast expanses of lava and fragmented rocks bake under the sun, emitting faint whiffs of sulfur. Wisps of pale blue smoke drift lazily into the sky, as if whispering the story of the fiery battle that once took place here — as if it all happened just yesterday.

The northern slope of Black Dragon Mountain holds a different kind of charm. There lies a wide valley, once traversed by flowing molten lava, known as Tenglong Valley (Soaring Dragon Valley). Lush pine and birch trees grow along the valley, their dense canopies teeming with birdsong. A winding path meanders through the area. Though the ground remains covered with reddish-brown or purplish-black volcanic gravel and ash, the rock walls are coated in moss and lichen, with vines twining around trees both large and small. The air is moist and fresh. Looking around, one sees vibrant greenery exuding a lively vitality, refreshing the spirit and almost making one linger indefinitely. Driving back in the evening, with a gentle breeze blowing, one can glance back at Black Dragon Mountain, now a faint silhouette of dark blue, shifting in intensity as the setting sun crowns the peaks and water reflects the vast sky. Moved by the scene, the author composed two quatrains to commemorate the visit: “Amidst the vast misty lakes so clear and bright, Who placed Black Dragon Mountain here as a painter’s delight? If only Heaven would grant its wondrous art, To etch eternal change where waters start.” “Winding through hills and waters time and again, Dawn and dusk arrive, and evening glows in vain. Black Dragon casts a string of pearls below, Whispering tales of glory long ago.”