Leiqiong Global Geopark

　　   Guide:       The Leiqiong Haikou Volcano Cluster Global Geopark in China is the country’s only urban coastal tropical volcano and also the first world-class tourist attraction in Hainan Province. The main geological heritage of the park consists of a Quaternary volcanic cluster made up of 40 volcanoes.

　　   Highlights:        Ancient volcanic eruptions in northern Qiong left behind the world’s most well-preserved volcanic cluster here, resembling a natural volcanic geology museum — the Shishan Volcanic Crater.  

　　   Introduction:      The volcanic cluster is located in Shishan Town, Xiuying District, Haikou City, about 15 kilometers from Fucheng. It comprises 40 volcanoes, covering a total area of 108 square kilometers. The variety of volcano types is comprehensive and diverse, encompassing nearly all types of basaltic volcanic eruptions. There are both pyroclastic cones, lava cones, and mixed cones formed by magma eruptions, as well as maars created by the interaction of magma and groundwater. The volcanic geological landscape is extremely rich — the lava flows, particularly the crustal lava with forms like ropes, twists, and corals, are all marvels that inspire awe. There are over 30 lava tunnels, the longest extending more than 2,000 meters, with their internal shapes and landscapes being rich and marvelous, rarely seen both domestically and internationally.        The park has also developed ecological communities represented by tropical rainforests on volcanic cones, craters, and basalt plateaus. With over 1,200 plant species, orchards blend seamlessly with the volcanic landscape, making it an outstanding example of tropical urban volcanic ecology. To this day, the park preserves ancient villages, stone houses, stone pagodas, and various production and daily utensils built by people over centuries using basalt, documenting the volcanic culture shaped by human coexistence with stone, and is hailed as a classic of Chinese volcanic culture.        Major attractions include Ma’anling, Shuangchiling, Xiānrén Dòng (Fairy Cave), and Luojingpan.   Ma’anling Volcanic Crater         Also known as the Volcanic Crater Park, Ma’anling resembles a horse saddle and is one of the world’s most intact extinct volcanic craters. It consists of four volcanoes: the southern cone Fengluling Crater, the northern cone Baoziling Crater, and two nearby small parasitic volcanoes, which look like a pair of eyes and are thus called Yanjingling (Eye Mountains), revered as the volcanic sacred infants. Together they form a perfect Holocene dormant volcanic family.      Around it are over 30 solitary hills of varying sizes that rise abruptly from the ground, all formed by volcanic craters or volcanic mounds from past eruptions. The movement of underground magma during eruptions left behind an intricate network of underground caves, including Xiānrén Dòng (Fairy Cave) and Wolong Cave. A “Sea-View Pavilion” was also built on the ridge, offering views of the Qiongzhou Strait, the volcanic crater, and the picturesque lychee orchards stretching for hundreds of li. Luojingpan and Shuangchiling      Luojingpan and Shuangchiling are the result of steam-magma eruptions caused by the interaction of deeply rising hot magma with cold groundwater. They are twin maar volcanoes situated side by side, classified as low-profile cratered maars. The maar volcanoes in the park are large in scale and well-preserved, making them extremely precious. The crater rims are formed of tuff rings. Luojingpan Maar Volcano has an inner diameter of 1,000 meters, featuring radial and circular terrace-like structures, with the surrounding pastoral scenery being quite pleasant.

　　   Specialty “Shishan Yang Sheep”    Many residents of Haikou often come here to eat it. It’s said that because Shishan Town is located in a dormant volcanic zone, the land is very fertile, resulting in particularly tender grass. The sheep raised here feed on this grass, yielding mutton that is free from the usual gamey taste.       The mutton can be prepared as hot pot or stir-fried dry (similar to barbecue). The most recommended restaurant is “Liwan Wine Village.”   Transportation:        1. Take bus routes 1, 16, 7, or 24 to Haiyuzhongxian or Baishuitang, then transfer to a Xiuying–Volcanic Crater minibus. Bus fare: 1 RMB/person, minibus fare: 2 RMB/person.      2. Take bus route 2 to Xiuying Terminal, then transfer to the Xiuying–Volcanic Crater minibus. Same fares apply.      3. Outside Haikou West Bus Station, take a minibus bound for Tuncheng and get off at the entrance of the Volcanic Crater Park, then transfer to another minibus or tricycle to enter the park. The fare is also around 3 RMB.      4. Chartering a car costs about 70–80 RMB.      5. Taking a taxi costs about 30 RMB. Agree on the price before getting in. It usually takes about 30 minutes to arrive. Tips:      1. The latest minibus returning from the Volcanic Crater Park to Haikou departs at 17:00.      2. If you miss the minibus, you can take a tricycle or motorbike taxi to Haiyuzhongxian or Baishuitang and switch to a bus there.      3. Visiting the Volcanic Crater Park without going to the Geological Museum takes at most one hour, plus time for eating mutton — roughly 2–3 hours in total — so you’ll generally be able to catch the minibus back to Haikou. Ticket: 68 RMB. Ma’anling (Volcanic Crater Park) ticket: 28 RMB.

　　 Haikou, Hainan