Shishan Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark

　　The Haikou Shishan Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark is situated in Shishan Town, southwest of Haikou City, only 15 kilometers from the city center. Accessible via the West Expressway leading to the Green Corridor and traversed by the Ring Expressway, it features a rift valley-type basaltic volcanic activity geological heritage. It is also one of the few dormant volcanic clusters in China with Holocene-era (10,000 years ago) volcanic activity, offering high scientific research, educational, and tourism value. It is a 4A-level scenic area, a Global Geopark, and a National Geopark.

　　According to geologists, the volcanic activity in northern Hainan originated in the Early Tertiary period of the Cenozoic era, with the last eruption occurring during the Quaternary Holocene, about 13,000 years ago. Despite millennia of geological changes, the site preserves 36 well-preserved crater remnants, including the Ma'anshan Crater, which stands at 222.8 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in northern Hainan.

　　The Haikou Shishan Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark in China is a world-class tourism brand developed from the Haikou Shishan Crater Park. In 1996, the park hosted the main venue event for World Tourism Day and has since been recognized as an "Outstanding Tourist Attraction of Hainan Province," a "Top Ten Scenic Spot in Hainan Province," a National AAAA-level Scenic Area, and a National Geopark. It is China’s only tropical island city volcanic cluster geopark and the first globally significant tourist destination in Hainan confirmed by UNESCO for its outstanding universal value. The park serves as a base for youth science education, a key site for Earth Day activities, and the first domestic training facility of the Hong Kong Eco-Tourism Professional Training Centre.

　　Geological Heritage

　　The geological heritage mainly consists of a Quaternary volcanic cluster comprising 40 volcanoes. It features a complete and diverse range of volcanic types, covering nearly all types of basaltic eruptions, including cinder cones, lava cones, mixed cones formed by magma eruptions, and maars created by the interaction of magma and groundwater. The volcanic geological landscape is exceptionally rich. There are over 30 lava tunnels, the longest extending more than 2,000 meters, with unique and marvelous internal formations rarely seen elsewhere in the world. The park also boasts tropical rainforest ecosystems on volcanic cones, craters, and basalt plateaus, with over 1,200 plant species. Orchards blend harmoniously with the volcanic landscape, making it a prime example of tropical urban volcanic ecology. Throughout the park, ancient villages, stone houses, stone pagodas, and various tools made from basalt preserve centuries of human interaction with these volcanic rocks, documenting a unique volcano-centered culture known as the classic of Chinese volcanic culture. The total area of the park is 108 square kilometers. Major attractions include Ma'anshan, Shuangchiling, Xiangu Cave, and Luojingpan.

　　Ling Crater Scenic Area

　　This is a showcase area within the park, featuring four volcanoes: the southern cone Fenglu Ridge, the northern cone Baozi Ridge, and two small parasitic volcanoes referred to as “volcanic infants.”

　　Ling consists of two side-by-side twin maars, with their crater rims made of tuff rings. The Luojingpan maar volcano has an inner diameter of 1,000 meters and features a perfectly round, low-profile crater with delightful radial and circular terraced fields.

　　The cave is divided into upper and lower sections. The lower section contains caves within caves and layers of unexpected spaces, creating a mystifying atmosphere. Various forms of lava stalactites hang and cling to the cave walls, appearing to fall yet never quite doing so, inspiring awe. The cave is remarkable not only for its rocks but also for its water—clear droplets falling on different rock surfaces produce a range of melodic tones, creating a uniquely beautiful soundscape. The upper part of Xiangu Cave has collapsed in multiple places, splitting into dozens of lava tunnel segments. Some resemble interconnected spiderwebs, others spacious underground dining halls, and some even surreal ancient castle palaces. Sunlight streams through the collapsed skylights, illuminating the dark cave interiors with a breathtaking brilliance.

　　Ma'anshan Volcano

　　Comprising four volcanoes—the southern cone Fenglu Ridge Crater, the northern cone Baozi Ridge Crater, and two small parasitic volcanoes nearby—they are likened to a pair of eyes and thus called the Eye Ridge, also known as the volcanic infants. In 1996, the main venue of China's World Tourism Day celebration was held here and received high praise from experts and tourism professionals from over 20 countries.

　　Volcanic Geological Landscape

　　The park contains over 30 lava tunnels, the longest stretching up to 2,000 meters, with exceptionally rich and marvelous internal formations that are rare both domestically and internationally, holding great research and sightseeing value. Lava craters such as Luojingpan and Shuangchiling in the park are all maars, formed when deeply buried hot magma interacted with cold groundwater, resulting in steam-driven phreatomagmatic eruptions. The maars in the park are large in scale and well-preserved, making them extremely valuable. Shuangchiling consists of two side-by-side twin maars with tuff ring crater rims. The Luojingpan maar volcano has an inner diameter of 1,000 meters and features a perfectly round, low-profile crater, with pleasant radial and circular terraced fields.

　　The park has developed tropical rainforest ecological communities on volcanic cones, craters, and basalt plateaus. It also preserves ancient villages, stone houses, stone pagodas, and various tools made from basalt used by people over centuries, reflecting a continuous cultural connection between humans and volcanic rocks—hailed as the classic of Chinese volcanic culture.

　　China Leiqiong Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark is a multifunctional park integrating volcano sightseeing and exploration, appreciation and study of volcanic ecology and culture, health and vacation experiences through volcanic mineral springs, as well as scientific research and education. It is a world-class tourist destination in Haikou, China’s capital of leisure and entertainment, and a key brand for trips to tropical islands.

　　Self-driving

　　1. East Expressway: East Expressway → Longqiao Interchange → Ring Expressway → Shishan Interchange → Green Corridor (signposted “Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark”) → Park;

　　2. Airport: Airport → Ring Expressway → Shishan Interchange → Green Corridor (signposted “Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark”) → Park;

　　3. Haifu Area:

　　Route A: Nanhai Avenue (westbound) → Green Corridor (signposted “Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark”) → Park;

　　Route B: Binhai Avenue (westbound) → Shugang Avenue → Ring Expressway → Shishan Interchange → Green Corridor (signposted “Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark”) → Park;

　　4. West Coast: Binhai Avenue (westbound) → Shugang Avenue (South Railway Station) → Ring Expressway → Shishan Interchange → Green Corridor (signposted “Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark”) → Park;

　　5. West Expressway: West Expressway → Bailian Interchange → Ring Expressway (eastbound) → Shishan Interchange → Green Corridor (signposted “Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark”) → Park;

　　6. Haiyu Middle Road: 9.2 km west along Haiyu Middle Road, turn at the “Volcanic Geopark” gate, then drive 4.5 km west to reach the park.

　　Public Transport

　　1. Take bus routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 16, 17, 24, 28, 33, or 35 to Xiuying Avenue. Get off at Jun Gong Station, Xiuying Xiaojie Station (west gate of Xiuying Vegetable Market), or Haibo Market Station. Then transfer to the “Xiuying–Shishan” or “Xiuying–Yongxing” minibus or take a taxi at the Haibo Market Station bus stop;

　　A. The “Xiuying–Shishan” minibus goes directly to the park (every 15 minutes, fare: 3 RMB/person, travel time: 25–30 minutes);

　　B. Minibus from “Xiuying–Yongxing” (fare: 3 RMB/person) on Haifu Middle Road, No. 9;

　　C. Transfer to a taxi (fare: 30–40 RMB, or about 10 RMB/person if carpooling), with a 20-minute drive;

　　2. At the “Qiongshan Minibus Station” on Hongchenghu Road in Fucheng Town, Haikou City, or at various bus stops along Nanhai Avenue, take the “Fucheng–Meian” minibus, which goes directly to the park (current fare: 3 RMB/person);

　　3. At the “Qiongshan Minibus Station” on Hongchenghu Road in Fucheng Town, Haikou City, or at various bus stops along Nanhai Avenue, take a minibus that passes along Haifu Middle Road (such as Fucheng–Zuntan, Fucheng–Dongshan, etc.) and get off at Haifu Middle Road, No. 9;