Haikou Volcanic Crater National Geological Park

Haikou Volcanic Crater National Geological Park

Haikou Volcanic Crater National Geological Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national geological park.

The Volcanic Crater National Geological Park is located in Shishan Town, Xiuying District, Haikou City, about 20 kilometers from the city center. It features a cluster of dormant volcanic craters formed by eruptions between 27,000 and 1 million years ago. The largest crater has an elevation of 222.2 meters and is 90 meters deep, and is one of the most well-preserved extinct volcanic craters in the world. Known as Ma’anling (Saddle Ridge) due to its saddle-like shape, it is the highest point in northern Hainan. There are also dozens of smaller extinct volcanic craters or vents nearby.

The Volcanic Crater National Geological Park is Hainan’s only volcanic wonder, situated in Shishan Town, Xiuying District, Haikou City, about 20 kilometers from the city center. The volcanic relics are naturally spectacular and represent one of the best-preserved volcanic craters in the world. Within a 10-kilometer radius lies a volcanic cluster formed by 36 craters, among which Ma’anling stands out with an elevation of 222.6 meters, making it the highest peak in northern Hainan. There are 72 underground lava caves, notably the renowned Wolong Cave and Immortal Cave.

Here, tropical fruit orchards and pristine vegetation thrive abundantly, creating a naturally perfect landscape. The unparalleled volcanic wonderland, which cannot be replicated by humans, is ingeniously combined with a meticulously designed hexagonal beehive garden system by master architects, presenting a grand and breathtaking sight well worth visiting.

Beneath the volcanic crater area lies a network of volcanic caves, products of ancient eruptions, hailed by geologists as a sizable volcanic cave museum. Among them, the Immortal Cave and Wolong Cave are the most magnificent. Though undeveloped, they can still be explored. The Immortal Cave is 4 kilometers from the Ma’anling volcanic crater. On the basalt at the cave entrance, the striking stone carving “Stone Chamber Immortal Trace” catches the eye. Inside this cave-within-a-cave, polished stoneware resembling axes and chisels was discovered during the 1950s while clearing silt—possibly the remains of early human dwellings. The Wolong Cave is less than 1 kilometer from the Immortal Cave, stretching 3 kilometers in length, 7 meters in height, and 10 meters in width, with a capacity to hold tens of thousands of people. The Volcanic Crater Park served as the main venue for China’s 1996 World Tourism Day (Hainan). Hiking trails have been built following the direction of ancient lava flows.

A beautiful and touching legend is associated with Ma’anling in the Volcanic Crater Park.

Legend has it that long, long ago, a fairy descended to the mortal realm and married Chun Teng, a hardworking and honest farmer. An evil fire demon, learning of this, captured the fairy and imprisoned her in a volcanic cave. Determined to rescue his wife, Chun Teng vowed to fight the fire demon. He trained daily in the valley, calling upon the wind and rain, his voice echoing through the clouds. His actions moved the Jade Emperor and the gods, who sent an immortal to teach him spells against the fire demon. The Mountain God forged two giant mountains into water vats and a towering sacred tree into a carrying pole, both gifted to Chun Teng. The Wind and Rain Gods guided him to a water source. Chun Teng returned with water from two ponds and four pools. Upon reaching Ma’anling, the fire demon noticed and cast a spell that prevented him from lifting the vats. In a moment of inspiration, Chun Teng kicked the pole away. It landed steadily, transforming into a mountain ridge shaped like the character “一,” pinning the fire demon’s neck. With another kick, he shattered the vats, unleashing fierce winds and rains that subdued the demon and saved the fairy. Since then, peace has reigned over the land, and all things have flourished. The two vats later turned into two mountain ridges—today’s Ma’anling.

The Shishan Volcanic Crater has been developed into a theme park showcasing volcanic culture, ecological gardens, and unique architecture. The volcanic ecological plaza, majestic hiking trails, diverse ancient tree promenade, remnants of volcanic vents from ten thousand years ago, along with local rural charm, distinctive handicrafts, and mountain village cuisine, have made it a popular tourist destination on the outskirts of the provincial capital and one of Hainan’s outstanding scenic spots.

The Volcanic Crater National Geological Park caters to contemporary lifestyle needs by fully utilizing precious volcanic resources through scientific planning and rational development. Its hexagonal beehive-style garden layout embodies a modern aesthetic, with volcanic stone steps and honeycomb-patterned lava stone pathways featuring local characteristics. The park now boasts exquisitely crafted volcanic gates, elegant garden paths, a spacious central plaza, and a distinctive volcanic-themed area. There is also a Mountain God Temple built during the Qing Dynasty’s Daoguang era, rare wild pineapple groves, a mountaintop viewing trail, scenic platforms offering views of Haikou’s skyline of high-rises, distant vistas of the surging Qiongzhou Strait, glimpses of the Five Finger Mountains in central Hainan, and opportunities to explore ancient volcanic caves. Today’s Volcanic Crater Park unfolds like a beautiful painting before visitors, ready to be admired.

Nearby the park, there are notable dining spots such as Liwan Wine Village, where you can sample the uniquely flavored Shishan Goat Banquet.

Shishan Town: Shishan Town is one of the towns under Xiuying District, Haikou City, located in the northwestern part of Haikou, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center. It borders Yongxing Town to the east, partially meets Dongshan Town to the southeast, adjoins Chengmai’s Old Town to the west and south, and is adjacent to Xixiu Town and Changliu Town to the north. Covering an area of 120.74 square kilometers, it is traversed by the Haikou-Yulin Middle Road to the east and the Yuehai Railway to the west. The urban expressway passes through six village (residential) committees, and a green corridor connects Nanhai Avenue directly to the West Coast. Transportation is convenient. The town governs 11 village committees and 1 residential committee, encompassing 84 natural villages, 86 economic cooperatives, and a total population of about 41,000... More details about Shishan Town++