Global Geopark

Global Geopark

Wudalianchi was among the first group of National Key Scenic Areas announced by the State Council in 1983, and is a national-level nature reserve. In 1991, it was named one of China’s “Top Forty Tourist Attractions”; in 1996, it was honored as the “Homeland of Chinese Mineral Water.”

The Wudalianchi Scenic Area, situated on the banks of the Nemoer River, spans over 1,060 square kilometers. The scenic area mainly consists of both newly formed and ancient volcanoes, five volcanic barrier lakes (the Five Big Lakes), more than 60 square kilometers of “Stone Dragon” (basalt plateau), and low-temperature cold springs with high medical and health benefits. The area boasts extremely rich tourism resources — elegant mountains, serene waters, intricately layered lava formations, and magical medicinal springs. It is hailed as China’s Natural Volcano Park, a living volcano textbook, and a renowned tourist and health resort.

Wudalianchi’s 14 volcanoes are arranged in a well-like pattern. Their names are Yaquan Mountain, Wolong Mountain, Bijia Mountain, North and South Gelaqiu Mountains, East and West Jiaodebu Mountains, Molabu Mountain, Weishan Mountain, East and West Longmen Mountains, Xiaogushan Mountain, Heilong Mountain, and Huoshao Mountain. Among them, 12 volcanoes erupted long ago, with the earliest dating back tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years. The two younger volcanoes are Heilong Mountain and Huoshao Mountain, which erupted between 1719 and 1721. These eruptions are documented in historical texts such as Records of Outer Heilongjiang and A Brief Account of Ningguta. During the volcanic eruptions, surging lava cut the Baihe River, a tributary of the Nemoer River, into five segments, forming five interconnected, string-of-pearls-like volcanic barrier lakes: First Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, and Fifth Lake — collectively known as the Five Big Lakes. These five lakes are connected by underground rivers, stretch over 20 kilometers in length, cover a surface area of up to 40-plus square kilometers, and have a total water capacity of more than 170 million cubic meters. The five emerald-green lakes are nestled among 14 volcanoes and blend seamlessly with the expansive basalt plateau, creating a spectacular landscape of mountains, water, and rock formations. A poem once praised it: “The Five Lakes vast encircle green peaks, like bright mirrors reflecting the ninth heaven. Light boats drift slowly o’er blue waves far, while fourteen famed peaks hang before our eyes.”

Wudalianchi not only features unique natural volcanic landscapes but also harbors abundant mineral water with miraculous curative effects.

There is a beautiful legend about the mineral water of Wudalianchi. It is said that long ago, the region was covered with towering ancient trees and lush wild grass. A hunter from the Oroqen ethnic group shot an injured sika deer. The wounded deer fled ahead, while the hunter followed the blood trail. Instead of running into the deep mountains, the deer headed straight for a pool. Intrigued, the hunter watched from the shore as the deer washed its wound in the water and licked it with its tongue. Upon reaching the shore, the bleeding had stopped, and the deer briskly ran back into the mountains. When the hunter cupped his hands and drank from the spring, he instantly felt invigorated. Thereafter, whenever he felt slightly unwell, he would drink from the spring and was always cured. From then on, people revered this spring water as “holy water.” Every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, locals would rise early to drink the “Zero Hour Water.” It is believed that those who drink this water can ward off disasters, cure illnesses, and enjoy longevity.

Although this is just a legend, the water of Wudalianchi does indeed possess therapeutic, preventive, and health-enhancing properties. Scientific analysis shows that the mineral water here contains over 40 essential trace elements needed by the human body, rivaling the famous French Vichy and Russian Caucasian mineral waters, and together they are known as the world’s three great cold springs.

The masterful craftsmanship of nature has created the magical and unique landscapes of Wudalianchi. The Wudalianchi Scenic Area currently has over 100 identified scenic spots, divided into seven major scenic zones. More than 70 of these spots have been developed, primarily located in the Huoshao Mountain Scenic Zone, Yaquan Mountain Scenic Zone, and Jiaodebu Mountain Scenic Zone.

1. Yishen Garden: This is the largest scenic area within the Yaquan Mountain Scenic Zone, comprising eight attractions: Yishen Pavilion, Circular Corridor, North Garden, Waterfall, Yaquan Lake, Lakeside Path, Golden Deer Bridge, and North Drinking Spring.

Yishen Pavilion is a classical northern-style garden structure. The plaques and couplets on the pavilion were all inscribed by Chen Lei, former Governor of Heilongjiang Province. The couplet on the south gate reads: “Drink, sing, and reflect on your roots; travel, play, and rejoice in heaven.” The north gate couplet says: “Strengthen your body to enjoy long life; bolster your spirit to celebrate the prime of years.”

The mineral water of North Drinking Spring is a magnesium-calcium bicarbonate type, rich in over 40 essential trace elements. It can be both consumed and used for bathing, and is highly effective for the digestive system, nervous system, urinary system, cardiovascular system, as well as for alopecia areata, various skin conditions, and gynecological disorders. It is renowned as “holy water” or “divine water,” and is a rare and precious mineral spring in the world. Bottled mineral water produced from this spring was designated in 1986 as the exclusive drink served to foreign guests at Ziguangge in Zhongnanhai by the State Council; in 1992, it won the “Tianma” Gold Award for tourism products; and in 1996, it was chosen as the official beverage of the Chinese National Table Tennis Team. The city of Wudalianchi earned the title “Homeland of Chinese Mineral Water” because of this water. A humorous verse once praised Wudalianchi mineral water: “Wudalianchi serves no tea to guests, but cool spring water foams with grace. One cup washes the dust away, two cups banish weariness. Guests grow strong and hale, friends from five continents flock to these hills.”

The formation of Wudalianchi’s mineral water is due to the dissolution of carbon dioxide gas deep underground into groundwater, which then interacts with rocks, dissolving various ions and trace elements into the water. Since the dissolution of carbon dioxide in groundwater is an endothermic reaction, the resulting mineral water is relatively cool, typically ranging from 20°C to 50°C.

Yaquan Lake is 900 meters long from north to south, 300 meters wide from east to west, and reaches a maximum depth of 7 meters. Its surroundings consist entirely of the basalt plateau left behind by past volcanic eruptions. The reflections of Yaquan Mountain, Bijia Mountain, and Laoheshan in the lake create a beautiful scenic painting of green hills and clear waters.

2. Yaquan Mountain: The Yaquan Mountain Scenic Area consists of three parts: “Two Dragons’ Eyes,” Yaquan Mountain, and Zhongling Temple.

“Two Dragons’ Eyes” is located at the foot of Yaquan Mountain. The spring water originates from mountain sources. In the past, the spring openings were small but the water pressure was high, causing the water to shoot out as if two silver dragons were leaping into the air — hence the name Two Dragons’ Eyes. The water is clear and refreshing, making it an excellent resource for producing beer, beverages, and beauty products. Legend has it that the water can refresh the mind and improve vision, so hikers often wash their faces and eyes here.

Yaquan Mountain last erupted approximately 300,000 years ago. With an elevation of 355.8 meters and rising 60.8 meters above ground, Yaquan Mountain is small but considered a classic example of a volcano in the region. There are two hiking routes: a stone stairway on the southern slope and a cement path on the western slope. Both routes allow visitors to take a vehicle directly to Zhongling Temple.

Zhongling Temple is one of the largest temples in Heilongjiang Province. It was first built in 1929. Legend has it that a wandering monk discovered the site had excellent feng shui and was perfect for spiritual cultivation. He then led fellow monks in a 12-year fundraising and construction effort to build Zhongling Temple. At its peak, the temple had five main halls, 108 bronze Buddha statues, murals depicting the Eight Great Sights of the Fourteen Famous Mountains, and over 40 monks. For a time, Zhongling Temple became the Buddhist center of the surrounding hundreds of miles, filled daily with incense smoke and the sounds of bells and drums.

During Japan’s invasion of China, the invaders dismantled the temple’s bronze statues to supply military materials, reducing Zhongling Temple to ruins. The current Zhongling Temple was rebuilt in 1990 with funds raised by various parties totaling over 20 million yuan. The temple now houses statues of Sakyamuni, Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Hengha Generals, the Four Heavenly Kings, Maitreya, Skanda, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and the Eighteen Arhats. It remains a key Buddhist center in the region and an important attraction within the Wudalianchi Scenic Area.