If you ever dreamt of wearing a rented spacesuit, dusting off your astronaut helmet, and boldly taking selfies on the Moon, then Wulanhada Volcano Geopark in Inner Mongolia will send you there on a budget—and without the killer astronomical costs of intergalactic space travel.
I certainly didn’t expect to be wandering around an otherworldly Mars-like landscape on the edge of Inner Mongolia. But when my family and I visited Wulanhada Volcano Geopark (乌兰哈达火山群) last year we were genuinely in awe.
We knew nothing about the place ahead of time (having just found out about it a few weeks prior from Chinese travel friends), but I’m happy to report we weren’t the only ones.
Out of all the things we did and places we visited in Inner Mongolia on this family trip, Wulanhada was one of the highlights for all of us. It’s still a little under-the-radar among international travelers, but popular domestically among Chinese tourists who are known to pack the place in summer. Wulanhada volcano geopark is located in the city of Ulanqab (乌兰察布市), and is best known for a rare volcanic field on the southern edge of the Mongolian Plateau. It’s a beautiful area of untouched cones and grasslands, with several large volcanic craters available for hiking.
It’s also the only group of volcanoes known to have erupted during the Holocene epoch in this part of the world, so these are considered relatively “young” and active geologically speaking (dating back only around 10,000 years ago).
Wulanhada is every bit as photo-worthy as the hype would have you believe: we came fully prepared with two backpack-drone operators, rented white astronaut suits for “out of this world” selfies, and didn’t leave until sunset.
Rundown on Wulanhada’s Three Hiking Volcanoes
Wulanhada is a paradise for geology enthusiasts, drone photography hobbyists, hiking adventurers, and families with kiddos in search of that perfect Mars-inspired “astronaut selfie” photo op.
There are several volcanic cones dotted around the park on grasslands, but the three craters we personally explored (which are also the most popular) are Volcano No. 3, No. 5, and No. 6.
We opted to skip the loop hiking route to cover all of them, but the truth is you can really focus on these three big craters as each is close enough to explore in a short visit (and the oppressive heat of summer did sap our energy a bit this day! ).
#3 Volcano – North Liandanlu (炼丹炉北)
The big one, the most famous and most photogenic of the three. Volcano No. 3 is a giant upside-down bowl that measures 80 meters in height, and has a wooden boardwalk trail that winds around the side of the cone. A good clip for the first day of summer but not too punishing, and you get a 360 degree view of the crater rim from the top, over the grassland plains. Definitely a no-brainer if you’re after a “classic” stand-on-a-volcano photo.
#5 Volcano – The Matcha Green Cone
The one that took me aback when I first laid eyes on it from afar. I didn’t know what I was looking at until I got closer and saw this perfectly preserved cone basking in a matcha-green light (there’s a whole meme culture around this that’s why I’m calling it the “Matcha Volcano”). I really didn’t expect it to look so “alive” in a way, with those soothing slopes.
I later learned that this cone was completely spared by the mining industries or development of tourist infrastructure to flatten out its terrain, leaving it completely virgin for hiking. It’s the best spot for a mellow stroll around the crater base (perfect for drone videos too if you’re into that game).
#6 Volcano – South Liandanlu (炼丹炉南)
The Martian beast that stole the show for the “space traveler aesthetic” hunters. The south side of this volcano had been flayed by quarrying in certain sections years back, with a whole visible layering of red and black volcanic bedrock exposed on the surface in Martian reds and blacks. You can imagine the rush for “astronaut photos” in the rented white suits, which were sold all along this volcano crater rim.
I even saw several sets of grandpa-grandma duos striking their #CoupleGoals pose in this alien, dry lakebed, hand in hand, having a laugh (because let’s be honest, at a certain age, this is the kind of thing that makes you giggle your heart out. Just wait).
Want to take the space traveler photo too?
Yes? OK, so there are stalls at the base of these volcanoes renting out one-piece white suits in 50 RMB sets that you can rent, hike the volcano, and take your astronaut selfie. It’s a joy. We opted for a grandfather we met on the side of the trail who would deliver his own “worn-but-still-passable-enough” 30 RMB astronaut suits right to the crater rim. One of the few reasons I’m writing this blogpost is because at the time I didn’t see any on Google Maps (just checked though and I did see a few—search for 山拿白衣服红色 logo here to find the rental shop near the base of volcano No. 6).
Extra Attractions and Other Park Notes
Things are changing here, by the way. There’s a new dinosaur playground area being built near the entrance on the western end, which was fun for kids (we just met there but didn’t have time to play in it) but we were told that there are virtually no shaded areas at all in the park. Full sun protection is 100% required, as far as sunscreen, hats, long sleeves, and lots of hydration water.
By May of this year, a new 30 RMB per person shuttle park fee was introduced. Shuttle buses run between all the main craters and stops, but can be erratic. They aren’t spacious, and you’re often waiting for others to queue into or out of the buses to depart for your stop, especially during the Chinese holidays and summer. We used the shuttles, and it was fine, but if you’ve got kids or elderly parents I highly suggest self-driving. There’s a lot of exploration to do in your own time in each place, and it’ll be much easier to get around.
There’s even a go-kart ride near the visitor area (price 40 RMB for three laps) if you bring your little ones. I loved seeing the surprise in their faces. Go-karts in the middle of a volcano park!
For me, it was the raw, natural state of the terrain and cones that were completely untouched by infrastructure that I appreciated more, and finding a place where I could actually climb a volcano without the hassle of permits or epic bus journeys.
Wulanhada Hiking Tips Before You Go
- Best time to visit Wulanhada volcano geopark: Spring and autumn would be optimal times. Summer is just too hot.
- Footwear for volcano hiking: hiking shoes, or trail sneakers. Volcano gravel can be loose and slippery.
- Drone Use: It’s unregulated to my knowledge. Unrestricted airspace on the surface and awesome open views. Just double-check yourself though!
- Food and water: don’t expect any food stalls at the volcanoes or craters. Bring your own snacks and hydration!
- Facilities: There are bathrooms but they are rudimentary near the main parking areas only. Nothing fancy out in the field.
Final Verdict: We Loved it!
If you want to wander around on your own Mars or build your family’s own astronaut photos album, don’t worry Wulanhada is still relatively undiscovered on the IM circuit so you probably won’t bump into many overseas travelers. Chances are, if you visit, it will be to explore this area among Chinese tourists instead (at least in non-Covid summers).
Wulanhada will be a true hidden gem for those who have never ventured beyond China’s coastal cities. IM boasts so much natural diversity and places that are still new or unknown to us westerners. What a wonderful surprise Wulanhada was, and one that we would highly recommend if you’re looking to shake things up on your Inner Mongolia itinerary.
Wulanhada volcano geopark is scientific, and in many ways stripped back to its natural beauty but also invites a playful kind of surrealism. It’s up to you what or how to capture it all. There’s a bit of everything, and it was certainly memorable in that respect for our family’s visit to Inner Mongolia. This is our current favourite on IM.
Which is your fave? Have you been to Wulanhada or a unique volcano park you’d recommend? Share with us in the comments!
Discover Wulanhada Volcano Geopark: Hiking in the Heart of Inner Mongolia’s Mars