Facts and figures

Located in Wudalianchi city, in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Wudalianchi Volcanic National Geopark is a "volcano museum" and has long been a place of interest for geologists and vulcanologists.

Covering an area of 720 sq km, it is composed of 14 inactive volcanoes, which erupted from 65 million to 2 million years ago to 1712.

The volcanic cones are complete, and the lava flows stretch for over 10 km. They blocked rivers in the area , which created five lakes spread like a string of beads.

There are also many mineral springs of supposed medicinal value which have turned the park into a hot spot for health enthusiasts.

Wudalianchi mineral spring consists of North Spring, South Spring, New South Spring, South Bathing Spring and Fanhua (Seething Waves) Spring. North Spring, South Spring and New South Spring are drinkable while South Bathing Spring and Fanhua Spring are bathing springs.

Wudalianchi was one of the first State scenic spots approved by the State Council in 1982, and its status as a State-level nature reserve was approved in 1996.

(China Daily 06/23/2008 page10)