Wudalianchi boasts the best-preserved youngest volcanic barrier lake geological heritage in China, home to one of the world’s three major cold mineral springs, 14 volcanic cones, lava platforms and a composite ecosystem of volcanic wetlands. It holds dual legal protection status as a National Nature Reserve and a UNESCO Global Geopark. Formulated in accordance with the Regulations on the Protection of Wudalianchi Global Geopark, Heilongjiang Province and the UNESCO Global Geopark Criteria for Sustainable Tourism, this guide adheres to the core principle of “Prioritize Protection, Moderate Tourism, Empower Science Popularization, and Share Benefits with Local Communities”. It guides tourists, merchants and practitioners to practice low-impact sustainable travel and safeguard irreplaceable volcanic geological relics and rare mineral spring water resources.
I. Core Protected Resources: Bottom-line Rules for Sustainable Visits
(I) Cold Mineral Spring Water Resources
Wudalianchi cold mineral springs are world-class scarce water resources with a constant temperature of 3–5°C, rich in carbon dioxide and mineral substances. Their water supply relies on deep underground groundwater through lava formations, with an extremely long ecological recovery cycle.
Water Intake Regulations
Collect drinking water only at designated spots: North Drinking Spring, South Medicinal Spring and Erlongyan Spring. It is forbidden to dig new springs without permission, block streams or wash clothes and utensils in spring pools.
Limit single intake to 200ml; avoid drinking large amounts on an empty stomach to prevent stomach discomfort. Bring reusable water bottles and reject single-use plastic bottles.
Water Source Protection Bans
Do not litter, wash, fish or discharge sewage into the Medicinal Spring Stream and the five lake water bodies.
Do not step on moss and wetland vegetation around spring vents, as such vegetation forms a vital groundwater conservation buffer.
Private pipeline installation for mineral spring extraction is prohibited. The park implements total volume control on mineral spring exploitation; unauthorized water extraction will incur legal penalties.
Science Popularization Suggestions
Visit the Mineral Spring Exhibition Hall in the Volcanic Geology Museum to learn about the formation mechanism of cold springs, water quality monitoring and water conservation projects, and embrace the philosophy of “Limited Utilization for Perpetual Preservation”.
(II) Volcanic Geological Relics
Stay entirely on wooden boardwalks and hardened tourist trails. Never climb over fences to trample scoria flow fields and volcanic moss tundra—volcanic moss grows only a few millimeters per year and suffers permanent damage once trodden.
It is prohibited to dig, chisel or take away volcanic pumice, volcanic bombs, lava specimens and mineral crystals. Do not carve volcanic rock walls or stone steles.
Unopened volcanic craters of Laoheishan and Huoshaoshan, remote lava hinterlands and buffer zones are off-limits to unauthorized hiking and off-road driving. Camping is banned in core protected areas.
Wildfire Prevention Red Line: The legal fire danger period runs from March 15 to June 15 and September 15 to November 15. Open flames, smoking, barbecues and fireworks are forbidden across the entire park. Volcano entry is suspended under extreme fire risk.
(III) Volcanic Wetlands & Biodiversity
The park’s wetlands serve as a critical stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory birds, sheltering over 300 bird species including red-crowned cranes, white-tailed sea eagles and grey cranes.
Grey Crane Wetland and lakeside wetlands around the five lakes may only be viewed from birdwatching platforms; wading and entering marshes are forbidden.
Do not feed or disturb birds and wild animals; refrain from picking wild azaleas, wild vegetables and wild berries.
Fishing for mineral spring fish and wild fowl is prohibited. Do not fly drones at low altitude to disturb roosting migratory birds.
Sort and carry out all garbage. Do not discard plastic waste or food scraps into lakes and marshes to prevent water eutrophication.
II. Low-carbon Sustainable Travel Options
1. Low-carbon External Transportation
Public transport is optimal: Take high-speed rail to Bei’an Station, then switch to eco-friendly shuttle buses to the scenic area; direct tourist coaches run from Harbin to the park to cut carbon emissions from private vehicles.
Optimize self-driving travel: Carpool with multiple passengers, park vehicles in official lots only, and avoid off-road driving on dirt lava trails that crushes vegetation and compacts soil.
Long-stay visitors: Avoid peak summer crowds; visit in April–May or September–October to disperse ecological pressure.
2. Zero-carbon In-park Sightseeing
Purchase a 3-day eco-shuttle bus pass for priority, covering scheduled transfers across the park and reducing private vehicle traffic.
Choose hiking and lakeside pedestrian trails for short-distance trips; reject unlicensed illegal taxis and off-road charters.
Do not drive vehicles onto lava platforms or dirt roads along wetland edges, which causes soil compaction and groundwater pollution.
III. Green Accommodation & Catering: Support Local Circular Economy
(I) Sustainable Accommodation Choices
Prioritize homestays and energy-saving volcanic rock inns run by local residents in Yaoquan Town and Qingshan Town to boost community income.
Choose eco-friendly hotels that conserve water and electricity and do not automatically change linens daily. Bring your own toiletries and decline disposable amenity kits.
Avoid unregulated temporary lodgings illegally built in buffer zones and wetland peripheries.
(II) Sustainable Dining (Green Catering Featuring Mineral Spring Specialties)
Prioritize locally sourced ingredients: mineral spring tofu, mineral spring fish, wild Volcano vegetables, volcanic mushrooms and farm grains, cutting carbon emissions from long-distance cold-chain transport.
Reject wild game, protected wild birds and rare wild plants. Order moderate portions and practice “Clear Your Plate”.
Drinking solution: Bring reusable bottles to collect free natural mineral spring water at designated spots to eliminate plastic bottle waste.
For souvenirs, opt for local handmade crafts, mineral spring bean products and blueberry goods. Do not buy commodities made from volcanic rocks or wild moss that damage natural resources.
IV. Three Low-impact Themed Sustainable Itineraries
Route 1: Mineral Spring Science & Ecology Route
Yaoquan Volcano Park → Erlongyan Spring → North & South Medicinal Springs → Volcanic Geology Museum→ Wenpo Springs
Highlights: Gentle trails focused on mineral spring resource science with no strenuous lava trekking.
Sustainable Actions: Attend free geological lectures at the museum, view water conservation science exhibition boards and learn about mineral spring water quality.
Route 2: Low-carbon Volcanic Hiking Route
Laohei Volcano Shuttle Bus Station → Boardwalk up to volcanic crater → Wooden boardwalk across Scoria Flow Field → Dragon Gate Stone Village
Restrictions: Stay on marked trails at all times; carry garbage bags to remove all waste; avoid carrying fire sources during high fire-risk periods.
Route 3: Peaceful Wetland Birdwatching Route (Minimal ecological interference)
Birdwatching platforms beside the Third Lake → Wetland Science Boardwalk (activities limited to viewing platforms only)
Requirements: Photograph birds from afar with telephoto lenses; avoid loud noises; reduce group gatherings at dawn and dusk when migratory birds roost.
V. Code of Conduct for Sustainable Tourists: 10 Dos & 10 Don’ts
Ten Dos
Keep to designated tourist trails to protect volcanic moss and lava landforms.
Bring reusable water bottles to collect natural cold mineral spring water at official spots and cut plastic waste.
Sort all garbage and take every piece of waste out of the park.
Visit off-peak to ease ecological strain from summer crowds.
Support local shops and homestays to drive sustainable community income growth.
Join geological and mineral spring science lectures at the museum.
Conserve water and electricity at accommodation facilities.
Watch migratory birds quietly from a distance to protect their habitats.
Abide by all wildfire prevention rules and carry no open flame sources into the wilderness.
Report unauthorized spring excavation, volcanic rock theft and wetland damage (Hotline: 0456-7296001).
Ten Don’ts
Do not trample or dig lava and volcanic moss tundra, or remove any geological specimens.
Do not wash or discharge sewage into springs, lakes and wetlands without permission.
Do not hoard large volumes of mineral spring water; collect only what you need to conserve scarce water resources.
Do not enter unopened core nature reserve zones and remote lava hinterlands without authorization.
Do not pick wild flowers, Volcano produce or feed wild animals.
Do not light open fires for barbecues, smoking or other outdoor activities.
Do not take unlicensed off-road vehicles that crush vegetation.
Do not buy souvenirs made from volcanic rocks or wild moss that destroy natural heritage.
Do not discard plastic or food waste into the five lakes and wetlands.
Do not make loud noises or use loudspeakers to disturb natural ecosystems.
VI. Sustainable Operation Standards for Merchants & Practitioners
Catering & Accommodation: Eliminate single-use plastic products comprehensively; install mineral spring direct drinking stations; source ingredients locally; discharge wastewater into centralized pipeline networks instead of directly into Medicinal Spring Stream.
Tour Guides: Prioritize certified local resident guides. Integrate geological protection and mineral spring conservation knowledge into explanations; do not lead tourists into restricted areas.
Souvenir Vendors: Ban sales of volcanic rock, mineral and wild vegetation products; promote volcanic science picture books, local agricultural products and intangible cultural heritage handcrafts instead.
Sightseeing Vehicles: Operate unified eco-friendly electric shuttle buses with regular emission reduction maintenance; cap the number of private vehicles allowed into the park.
VII. Seasonal Guidelines for Sustainable Visits
Spring (April–May: Azalea Season & High Fire Risk Period)
Strictly control all open flames in the wild. Do not approach water shores closely during migratory bird breeding season. Conserve mineral spring water as spring runoff is low at this time.
Summer (June–August: Peak Summer Tourism Season)
Visit before 8:00 or after 16:00 to avoid midday crowds. Choose phosphorus-free eco-friendly insect repellent to prevent water pollution due to abundant wetland mosquitoes.
Autumn (September–October: Red Leaf Season & Fire Prevention Period)
Ban field burning and grave-sweeping open flames. Keep quiet during migratory bird migration to avoid disturbing flocks of cranes and wild geese.
Winter (December–March: Volcanic Ice & Snow Season)
Lava and moss remain extremely fragile under snow cover; stepping on icy wetland surfaces is strictly forbidden. Take anti-slip precautions when collecting spring water and do not damage winter thermal insulation vegetation around spring vents.
VIII. Concluding Remarks on Sustainable Tourism Values (Promotional Text for the Mineral Spring Hall)
Wudalianchi’s volcanoes, cold mineral springs and wetlands form an irreplicable global earth heritage. Sustainable travel does not restrict sightseeing, but achieves five integrated goals: geological heritage protection, perpetual water resource preservation, biodiversity conservation, long-term income growth for local residents and public geological science education. Every tourist who collects mineral spring water responsibly, protects lava land inch by inch, and takes all garbage away helps preserve this wonderland of sacred springs and volcanic landscapes for Wudalianchi Global Geopark, ensuring future generations can still witness intact volcanic landforms and drink natural cold mineral spring water.
