Northern Hainan Volcanoes

Northern Hainan Volcanoes

　The northern region of Hainan Island (Northern Hainan) has experienced 10 episodes and 59 instances of volcanic activity since the Cenozoic era, resulting in the formation of over 100 volcanoes of varying sizes and shapes. The volcanic lava flows are spread across eight cities and counties—Haikou, Qiongshan, Wenchang, Qionghai, Ding’an, Chengmai, Lingao, and Danzhou—as well as the Yangpu Development Zone, covering an area of about 4,000 km². This makes it one of the regions in China with the most intense, frequent, and longest-lasting historical volcanic activity.

The Ma'anling-Leihuling Volcano Group, located just about 15 kilometers from the Haifu area—the political, economic, cultural center, and transportation hub of Hainan—is the youngest volcanic group in the Northern Hainan volcanic region, with eruptions occurring approximately 10,000 years ago. Within an area of several dozen square kilometers, there are 38 well-preserved volcanoes and more than thirty lava tunnels, which is extremely rare both domestically and internationally. Even more remarkable is that within the Ma'anling Volcano Group area, there remains a tropical primeval forest covering about 300 hectares. This forest is home to ancient banyan tree clusters over a hundred years old, as well as rare original plants, and protected wildlife such as muntjacs, wild boars, pheasants, pythons, and various bird species, forming a complete tropical ecological plant and animal community. Wildflowers and unique plants dot the landscape, exuding a vibrant vitality reminiscent of life emerging from barren land. Volcanoes and forests are generally two natural resources that cannot coexist, yet on the rocky lava residue in this area, ancient trees of diverse forms thrive, with forest coverage exceeding 90%. This unique resource landscape is a relatively rare scenic tourism attraction in China, boasting high ornamental and scientific research value.