Crater Forest

　　The Crater Forest is situated approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Jingpo Lake, in the deep mountain region at an elevation of 1,000 meters on the Zhangguangcai Mountain Range. It is a primeval forest covered with precious tree species such as Korean pine, purple basswood, yellow birch, Manchurian ash, Korean spruce, dragon spruce, and larch, spanning an area of over 66,900 hectares. It is a natural green treasure trove, renowned both domestically and internationally, and is world-famous as the "Underground Crater Forest." The state has designated the underground forest and the over 1,200 square kilometer area of the Jingpo Lake region as a national nature reserve.

　　　　About 10,000 years ago, the Jingpo volcanic eruption formed 10 craters of varying sizes and shapes. Over millions of years of geological change, these became sunken primeval forest belts, hence the name Crater Primeval Forest. This phenomenon is quite rare, and due to the uniqueness of its environment, it not only serves as a magnificent scenic area but also as an ideal research base for geographers, historians, and biologists from China and abroad.

　　 Among the ten craters, No. 3 is the largest, with a diameter of over 500 meters and a depth of more than 200 meters. Visitors can descend to the middle of the crater via man-made steps to explore its hidden wonders. The forest floor at the bottom is lush and serene, shrouded in mist, with bursts of cool air carrying fragrant scents that make one feel as if they are in a realm between heaven and earth. In recent years, ancient ice caves and ancient lotus ponds have also been developed here. In the ancient ice cave, the cold ice remains frozen year-round, and during the season when red lotuses bloom, the valley is filled with crystal-clear blue water and the refreshing scent of lotus flowers.

　　　Located within the territory of Ning’an City, Heilongjiang Province, it is 92 kilometers from the city center, southeast of the Jingpo Lake National Scenic Area, and east of the ruins of the Bohai Kingdom from the Tang Dynasty. The forest has a timber volume of 1 million cubic meters, and the scenic area spans 8,965 hectares, including 417 hectares of water surface. It is a natural scenic tourist destination primarily featuring lake and mountain views, and is an ecological park that integrates forest ecological environments, forest health functions, natural landscapes, and cultural landscapes.
　　About 10,000 years ago, volcanic eruptions formed seven craters of varying diameters and a network of underground lava caves created by flowing magma. The broad-leaved Korean pine forests that formed on the original bare land represent the climax community of forest succession, commonly known as the "Underground Forest," which enjoys high fame both in China and abroad. The Xiaobei Lake within the park, like Jingpo Lake, is a typical alpine barrier lake.
　　The park not only boasts numerous scenic spots and unique natural landscapes but also features a complete range of flora and fauna. It has been listed by the state as a protected area for 15 species of birds, accounting for 70% of the province’s total, and 10 species of mammals, making up 27% of the province’s total. The Scaly-sided Merganser, listed in the world’s Red Book of endangered bird species—with only 200 remaining nationwide—has 40 individuals residing in Xiaobei Lake. The lotus flowers growing in Xiaobei Lake have been identified by experts as Heilongjiang red lotus, which date back 135 million years and are referred to as “living fossils of the biological world.”