Haixing Xiaoshan

Haixing Xiaoshan

The only hill in Cangzhou, a small hill covered with volcanic debris. Drink the sweet water from stone wells on the hill and gaze eastward at ships floating on the sea. The only hill in Cangzhou—Malu Mountain, also known as Xiaoshan, was formed by a volcanic eruption in the late Quaternary period 20,000–30,000 years ago. It is a dome-shaped volcanic cone (accumulated hill) rising 7–36 meters above the ground. Xiaoshan extends from south to north before bending westward, spanning approximately 1.5 kilometers from east to west and about 7 kilometers from north to south. Malu Mountain is one of only two late Quaternary volcanic relics on the vast coastal plain of eastern China. Its typicality, diversity, and natural state are unique to the plains region and rarely seen across the country, making it a geological site of significant scientific and social value. Looking south you can see the Qilu region, to the east lies the Bohai Sea, and to the north are Beijing and Tianjin. It is just 20 kilometers from the large port of Cangzhou. Xiaoshan is not only the highest point in Cangzhou but also where nine rivers converge and flow into the sea, serving as a cultural crossroads. With its long history, rich cultural heritage, diverse natural resources, and prime location, Xiaoshan has become a hub along the golden coastal tourism belt. Though it may not rival the grandeur of the Five Great Mountains, Xiaoshan’s unique features are truly one of a kind. It has been designated by the Hebei Provincial Government as a provincial volcanic area site—a nature reserve—and is also listed by the Cangzhou Municipal People's Congress as a key tourism project for the city.