Khalak Basalt Stone Forest Geopark

　　The Khalak Basalt Stone Forest Geopark is located in Raohe County in the eastern part of Heilongjiang Province,

　　approximately 61 kilometers due north of the county seat. Stretching from northwest to southeast, it forms a ridge 14 kilometers long, with the highest peak reaching an elevation of 363 meters. “Khalak” is a Manchu word meaning “tortoise shield.” It was originally used to refer to the tough, thick armor-like layer on wild boars, often called “khalak,” which means protective gear—today akin to bulletproof vests. This mountain was once full of wild boars with such armor-like hides that bullets and arrows could hardly penetrate them, as if they were clad in shields and iron armor.

　　Hence, the mountain came to be called Khalak Mountain. The summit features rocks formed from igneous rock masses, weathered and fractured due to crustal uplift and subsidence. These belong to the basalt stone forest landform, known as Raohe’s Frontier Stone Forest, stretching over five Chinese miles and representing a unique natural wonder within Heilongjiang Province.

　　In 2005, it was officially approved by the provincial government as a provincial geopark, covering an area of 109 square kilometers. The park consists of the Khalak Basalt Stone Forest, the Naoli River Wetland, the stratigraphic and paleontological geological heritage reserve in Dong’an Town, the Longshan Forest Viewing Area, the Mingshan Tun–Qiaoliangdui Folk Camping Area, and the Wusuli River Scenic Area, encompassing a total of 26 scenic spots.

　　The basalt stone forest exhibits beauty, rarity, uniqueness, typicality, and a complete system.

　　The Khalak Basalt Stone Forest preserves near-pristine mountain and river scenery, with various mimicry rock landscapes such as dragons coiling around tigers, bears climbing beside reclining lions, perilous cliffs standing tall, Buddhas lying in secluded crevices, and mountain temples emerging from the clouds... Its serenity and beauty rival those of famous mountains across the land.

　　The basalt stone forest originated from a lava plateau formed by volcanic eruptions during the Neogene period. Due to the development of columnar joints during the cooling of magma, coupled with prolonged weathering and erosion, it has been sculpted into the diverse and spectacular stone forest seen today—a unique basalt stone forest landscape in Heilongjiang Province and a rare sight in China.

　　Basalt forms typical landform landscapes in our province, such as the Wudalianchi and Jingpo Lake volcanoes. However, the Khalak Basalt Stone Forest possesses many distinctive features—such as the Khalak-type landform and well-developed horizontal (columnar) joints—that are unique within the province.

　　The park enjoys a beautiful natural environment, lush forest vegetation, stable ecological communities, and abundant geological heritage and ecological landscape tourism resources. Both the geological relics and the ecological environment are well preserved. The park integrates mountains, water, rocks, forests, wetlands, and their biological communities, blending natural and cultural landscapes into a perfect union of geological heritage and the natural environment. It holds high scientific, aesthetic, and tourism value.

　　The Khalak Basalt Stone Forest Geopark boasts significant geographical advantages and convenient transportation. It lies along the eastern tourism route of Heilongjiang Province and has excellent conditions for tourism development. Establishing a provincial geopark can effectively boost local economic prosperity and achieve sustainable development in social, resource, and environmental benefits.

　　Address: Raohe County, Shuangyashan City, Heilongjiang Province