Wudalianchi (5 Great Linked Lakes)
Location: South of Heihe, Heilongjia Province
Transportation: Train to Dedu, bus to Wudalianchi
Culture/History Rating: ?/5
Scenery Rating: 4/5
Hotels: N/A
Summary:
Description:
| Lying to the northwest of Dedu County in Heilongjiang Province, Wudalianchi Lake, formed by a string of five smaller lakes, can be reached from Harbin by train to Dedu followed by a one-hour bus ride. The scenery here is spectacular, with grotesquely shaped peaks, rocks, and caves and the sites of a dozen shield-shaped and fourteen cone shaped volcanoes. The area is a "volcanic museum" which also attracts scientists and researched as well as tourists. |  |
 | The lakes are surrounded by 14 volcanoes formed tens of thousands of years ago, which present a magnificent and unique spectacle of volcanic landforms. The mountains are covered with dense forests of pine and silver birch, and the slopes contain a myriad of deep limestone caves. The temperature in the caves is consistent at about ten degrees below freezing, making it icy inside even at the height of summer. Entering the caves, you feel immured inside a beautiful crystal palace, surrounded by ice sculptures that shine luminously against the colorful lamp light. |
| Heilongshan (Black Dragon Mountain) is one of the youngest volcanoes in Wudalianchi. On the south slope of it, there are two limestone caves. During monsoon season, the Water Screen Cave can form and Fairy Palace (cave). During monsoon season, the Water Screen Cave can form a screen of drizzling water, inside which there is coolness and quietness. The depth of the Fairy Palace is of tens of meters, crooked and winding, the bottom of which is covered with hard ice all year round, nip in the air, mysterious and unfathomable. Besides, there are reddish brown volcano conglomerate and ashes, but green moss and lichen grow luxuriantly. The long cane twines round twines round trees large air smells moist and fresh with valley spreading forth vitality. |  |
 | Wudalianchi is also famous for the natural mineral water that gushes from the mountain springs. Scientists say the spring water contains 40 types of minerals, and is very good both for maintaining your health and treating medical ailments. It has been proved to have certain curative effects for a number of diseases including stomach aches, anemia, high blood pressure and skin disease. Wudalianchi's mineral water now enjoys an equal fame in the world to Vichy mineral water from France and Caucasus mineral water from Russia. This has encouraged sanatoriums and health centers to open in the area, receiving thousands of people each year. |