Wudalianchi Scenic Area lies on the piedmont platform southwest of the Lesser Khingan Range, in Wudalianchi City in the northwest of Heilongjiang Province, 60 kilometres away from Bei’an City. It is a newly emerging city with a total population of nearly 20,000, including more than 5,000 urban residents. Fourteen volcanic cones scatter around the lakes, alongside a lava plateau spanning over 800 square kilometres and a series of volcanic mineral springs, forming unique and typical volcanic landscapes that earn it the moniker “Volcano Museum”. It ranks among China’s famous volcanic tourist resorts.

From 1719 to 1721 AD, volcanic lava blocked river channels and formed five interconnected volcanic barrier lakes shaped like a string of beads, hence the name Wudalianchi (Five Connected Lakes). Ancient volcanic eruptions left behind fourteen volcanic cones, five linked barrier lakes formed as lava flows dammed tributaries of the Mo’er River, and surrounding vast lava seas, jointly creating the stunning local scenery. The extensive lava sea features fantastic natural formations including lava dragons, rippled lava rocks, lava caves and natural stone bridges in varied vivid shapes. Among all volcanoes, Laoheishan (Old Black Mountain) and Huoshaoshan (Burnt Mountain) are the youngest, yet boast massive bodies and the most spectacular views, making them the prime scenic spots within Wudalianchi.

Beyond exotic volcanic landscapes and intact volcanic landforms, the area also boasts mineral spring “holy water” with remarkable therapeutic effects. The Third Lake is the largest of the five, presenting breathtaking lake scenery. Three medicinal springs are distributed around the lakes. The mineral springs on Yaoquan Mountain belong to bicarbonate springs with high medical value and have been developed into a recuperation resort. Mineral springs can also be found near Yaoquan Mountain, Jiaodebu Mountain, Huoshaoshan and Weishan Mountain. Over 50 sanatoriums have been built at the foot of Yaoquan Mountain, receiving thousands of patients for recuperation every year.

Wudalianchi is also a treasure trove of abundant natural resources. It contains hundreds of millions of tons of basalt, thousands of cubic metres of pumice and millions of cubic metres of volcanic gravel — all premium raw materials for manufacturing construction materials such as cement, cast stone and rock wool.

Nestled within Wudalianchi Scenic Area in northwest Heilongjiang Province, it is a renowned volcanic tourist destination in China. Volcanic eruptions between 1719 and 1721 blocked ancient river courses and formed five interconnected lava barrier lakes. Integrating exotic volcanic vistas, complete volcanic landforms and curative mineral spring holy water, it is a comprehensive natural scenic zone combining sightseeing, recuperation and scientific research. The optimal travel season runs from June to September each year. Apart from the five barrier lakes, Wudalianchi hosts numerous ancient and modern volcanoes, with fourteen formed in the mid-to-late volcanic activity periods. Laoheishan and Huoshaoshan are the youngest two volcanoes, featuring grand landforms and outstanding scenery, and stand as the top scenic spots of Wudalianchi.

Zhongling Temple sits inside the volcanic crater of Yaoquan Mountain within Wudalianchi Scenic Area, Heilongjiang Province. The landscape here consists of a volcanic cluster of fourteen ancient and young volcanoes plus five interconnected volcanic barrier lakes, featuring clear waters and green mountains with unique scenery. Zhongling Temple is tucked in the col of Yaoquan Mountain, the smallest among the fourteen volcanoes. Founded by a monk during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, the temple has undergone three reconstructions, with the latest renovation completed in 1933. All devotees centre their practice on reciting “Amitabha Buddha”. The compound now comprises a mountain gate, memorial archway, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Patriarch Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Bell and Drum Tower, Guanyin Hall, Ksitirapala Hall, Relic Hall and monk dormitories. Two stone steles are preserved: one recording the temple’s history and the other listing donors, alongside a complete set of the Taishō Tripiṭaka scriptures.

The Wudalianchi region is divided into four mineral spring zones:

In addition, a rich radon mineral spring zone surrounding the water conservation area of Yaoquan Mountain awaits exploitation. Among the four zones above, the Yaoquan Mountain zone has seen the most extensive research and civilian utilisation. The East Jiaodebu zone covers the largest area and holds promising development prospects.