Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark

About this place

A landscape of extinct volcanoes on the edge of the city, Haikou's share of the Leiqiong Global Geopark recognised by UNESCO in 2006; it covers about 108 square kilometres with more than 40 volcanoes, some of which erupted in geologically recent times, after the end of the last ice age. The heart of the park is the Ma'anling crater, «Saddle Ridge», named because two neighbouring cones together trace the shape of a saddle; its summit stands 222.8 metres above sea level, steps climb to the crater rim, and paths then lead down into its forested floor. Black basalt is everywhere, in the rocks and paths and in the villages around Shishan, whose old houses, walls and wells were built of dark volcanic stone, and the area is riddled with lava tubes formed when molten rock flowed on beneath a hardened crust. Adult tickets start at CNY 48 and tickets for seniors, students and children at CNY 27; the park opens from 7:30 to 18:30 in summer and from 8:00 to 18:00 in other seasons, per visitor guides. Come early before the heat builds, and bring a hat and water.