Pingdingshan Volcano Group
Pingdingshan Volcano Group
Historical Overview
- Formation: Volcanic activity spanned the Miocene to Quaternary periods, with eruptions shaping cones, lava flows, and maars (crater lakes).
- Human History: Nomadic tribes grazed livestock here for millennia; 13th-century Mongol caravans used trails between volcanoes.
- Modern Era: Studied by geologists since the 1950s, it gained tourist fame in the 2000s. A 2024 infrastructure upgrade added eco-trails and visitor centers.
Structural Layout
The park is divided into three zones:
- Core Volcanic Zone: 20+ volcanoes, including the symmetrical No. 3 Volcano and the collapsed No. 20 Volcano (maar).
- Basalt Column Forest: A 2 km² area of 6-sided basalt pillars, some reaching 15m tall.
- Nomadic Culture Belt: Traditional ger (yurt) camps and seasonal grazing lands.
Major Attractions
- No. 3 Volcano: The park’s icon, a 1,200m-diameter cone with a 200m-wide crater. Climb for panoramic views.
- Basalt Column Forest: Walk among geometric rock formations formed by slow lava cooling.
- No. 20 Maar: A crater lake with turquoise waters, ideal for sunrise photography.
- Volcano Museum: Interactive exhibits on plate tectonics and local geology.
- Nomadic Ger Camp: Stay overnight in traditional yurts and ride Mongolian horses.
Suggested Itineraries
- Classic Half-Day Tour
- Volcano Museum → No. 3 Volcano → Basalt Column Forest.
- Highlight: Sunset at the column forest.
- Full-Day Adventure
- No. 3 Volcano hike → No. 20 Maar boat ride → Nomadic Ger Camp lunch.
- Add a visit to the ancient grazing trails.
- Comprehensive 2-Day Expedition
- Day 1: Core Zone volcanoes and museum.
- Day 2: Basalt Columns photography + overnight ger stay.
Ticket Purchase
- Standard Entry: ¥120 (adults), ¥60 (students/seniors).
- Special Passes:
- ¥220 (2-day volcano + ger camp).
- ¥380 (3-day photography pass with guide).
- Discounts: Free for children under 1.2m; 50% off for disabled visitors.
- By Air: Fly to Hohhot (HET), then 2-hour taxi to Pingdingshan.
- By Train: High-speed rail from Beijing (2.5 hours) to Ulanqab Station.
- Local Transport: Private 4x4 tours (¥500–800/day) or shuttle buses between zones.
Best Time & Tips
- Peak Season: May–Oct (mild temperatures, clear skies).
- Avoid Crowds: Early morning (7–9 AM) for photography; weekdays quieter.
- Essentials:
- Sturdy hiking boots for lava trails.
- Warm layers (temperatures drop 10°C after sunset).
- Respect nomadic traditions: ask before entering ger camps.
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What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
