Motian Ridge

Motian Ridge

Introduction: Motian Ridge is located on the upper reaches of Dahei Valley in the northeast of Arxan City, Xing'an League. With an elevation of 1,711.8 meters, it is the highest peak of the Greater Khingan Mountains. The base of the mountain sits at 1,350 meters above sea level, giving it a relative height of 362 meters. Motian Ridge actually refers to the older of two volcanic cones — the newer one has been covered by forest. At the foot of the mountain, within the broad valley, lies a vast expanse of black basalt basin, where lava fragments form a rocky landscape. On the western and southern sides of the mountain are barrier lakes formed by lava flows damming river channels, namely Songye Lake (Dalbin Lake), Azalea Lake, Crane Lake, and Deer Call Lake. The Motian Ridge volcanic cone is the highest and most typical composite volcano among the many volcanic cones in eastern Inner Mongolia. Together with the surrounding volcanic cones, lava flows, and barrier lakes, it forms a complete volcanic landform and lava landscape. In terms of elevation, Motian Ridge is the fourth highest among volcanoes in China, following the Kardaxi Volcano in northern Tibet (4,900 meters), the Baiyun Peak of Changbai Mountain (2,749.2 meters), and the Dajing Mountain in Tengchong (2,595 meters). Its cone height is second only to that of Baiyun Peak.

Inner Mongolia Xing'an League