Volcano Island in Zhangzhou (漳州火山岛自然生态风景区, Volcanic Island Resort, Zhangzhou Seaside Volcano National Geo Park), Fujian, is a natural ecological scenic area that preserves the central-style volcanic eruption structures and later-stage weathering and sea erosion geological landscapes. The area consists of “Three Mountains (Xiangshan, Yanloushan, and Yulingshi Mountain), Three Islands (Linjinyu, Nanding Island, and Zhengmei Peninsula), and Three Bays (Qishawan, Jiangkou Bay, and Housai Bay).” It is the only coastal volcanic geological landscape tourist area in China.
Discovered in the 1970s, the coastal volcanic geological landscape of Zhangzhou has attracted great interest and extensive attention from domestic and foreign geological experts and scholars due to its unique and rare volcanic geological landscape. In 1977, it was designated as a scientific research base during the “East China Volcanic Rock Conference,” and in 1981, it was highlighted as a preferred field investigation point during the “National Volcanic Rock Conference” held in Zhangzhou.
Recognizing its geological significance, the Fujian Provincial Department of Land and Resources actively applied for and obtained approval from the Ministry of Land and Resources in March 2001 to establish it as one of the first national geological parks in China.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Admission: 60 RMB Monument Valley Maze: 150 RMB Rainbow Mountain Love Castle: 150 RMB Indian Well: 40 RMB Combined Ticket for All These Events: 250 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 08:15-18:00 (1st May – 7th October) 08:15-17:30 (8th October – 30th April) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0596-3649100 |
Location and Transportation
Volcano Island is located in the coastal area between Qianting Town and Fotan Town in Zhangpu County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, approximately 50 kilometers from Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Zhangpu County. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
From Xiamen: Take a ferry from either Xiamen Tourist Ferry Terminal or Dongdu Ferry Terminal to Zhangzhou Port. After disembarking at Zhangzhou Port, transfer to a shuttle bus heading to Volcano Island or take a taxi.
From Zhangzhou City: Take a ferry directly to Volcano Island. The ferry usually departs from the port in Zhangzhou City, and the journey takes about 1-2 hours. It’s recommended to check the ferry schedule in advance to plan your trip.
By Shuttle Bus: There are three direct shuttle buses from Zhangzhou Passenger Transport Center to the scenic area, departing at 9:40 AM, 3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM. Alternatively, take a bus from Zhangpu County Bus Station to Fotan Town and then take a motorcycle taxi to Volcano Island.
Highlights of Zhangzhou Volcano Island
Nanding Island
Nanding Island is located southeast of Linjinyu Island and faces the Xiangshan Scenic Area across the sea. The island is most famous for its over 1.4 million basalt columns, which create a striking landscape often referred to as the “Hair-like Stone Forest.” These basalt columns were formed through a unique geological process: basaltic lava, either extruded to the surface or filling volcanic conduits, cooled and crystallized slowly, causing the basalt to contract and fracture into near-pentagonal or hexagonal shapes. The columns range from 15 to 30 centimeters in diameter and reach heights of 20 to 30 meters. Rising from the deep blue sea, these towering basalt formations create a breathtaking and dramatic landscape that has earned them the nickname “Terracotta Army of the Sea” among scholars and visitors alike.
Niutoushan Ancient Volcano Crater
Niutoushan Ancient Volcano Crater is located on the eastern side of Niutoushan (Ox Head Mountain) in Longhai City, situated in the intertidal zone of Bai Tang Village. This ancient volcanic crater is exposed during low tide and submerged during high tide, making it one of the most complete and unique volcanic craters discovered in the region. The crater is elliptical in shape, approximately 200 meters long and 70 meters wide, with a distinctive funnel-shaped profile that is broader at the top and narrower at the base. This unique structure is one of the best-preserved ancient submarine craters in the world. Surrounding the crater are notable geological features including “watermelon rind” columnar jointing, gas columns, and a gas vent zone, making it a prime location for studying volcanic activity and processes.
Linjinyu Island Volcanic Rootless Vent Group
Linjinyu Island is an ellipsoidal volcanic island with an area of 0.16 square kilometers and an elevation of approximately 72.7 meters. The island’s volcanic landscape is rich with features from multiple volcanic eruptions that occurred between 28.61 and 15.41 million years ago. These eruptions left behind two rare geological relics. One is the ancient volcanic crater, which was formed over 20 million years ago. The other is a group of rootless volcanic vents that are unique in the world. On a 400-meter stretch of the island’s beach, there are 16 notable volcanic vent groups, which are rare and valuable for scientific research. These vents include both “rootless” and “rooted” types, with some appearing individually and others forming clusters. This area offers high educational and recreational value for understanding volcanic phenomena.