Aershan National Forest Park

Aershan National Forest Park is hidden deep in the forested mountains of the southwestern Greater Khingan Range, known for its volcanic landforms, lakes, and forests. Ancient volcanic eruptions left behind a series of geological views here: craters filled with water to form lakes, lava-blocked river channels creating dammed lakes, vast stone beaches paved with black basalt, and deep canyons carved by fractured lava belts. The Halaha River meanders through the park, with over 80% of its area covered by forests dominated by Daurian larch and birch trees.

Shitanglin is a highly recognizable stop: on the black lava beach with almost no soil, larch trees root into rock crevices, and moss and lichens cover the stone surface, like walking into a natural volcanic geological museum. Tuofengling Heavenly Lake requires climbing a flight of stairs along a boardwalk; reaching the summit allows you to overlook this crater lake with a water surface elevation of nearly 1300 m, its overall outline resembling a crouching camel. Arxan Heavenly Lake, on the other hand, has no visible rivers flowing in or out, and its water level shows no obvious fluctuations throughout the year. The Halaha River rushes through the chaotic rocks of Santan Gorge, connecting three deep pools: Woniu Pool, Hushi Pool, and Yuexin Pool. Azalea Lake is named for the Xing'an azaleas that bloom along its shores in mid-to-late May each year; if you catch it while the lingering snow has not yet melted, the red flowers against the white snow offer a unique scene. The Chai River originates in the Grand Canyon area within the park, where black volcanic rocks are scattered across the valley floor; the stream winds through them, and you can walk down the wooden boardwalk in the forest to take a closer look.

Seasonally, from mid to late September, birch trees and larches gradually turn golden, creating the most vibrant colors in the attraction. In winter, the unfrozen section of the Halaha River remains ice-free, with frost-covered trees lining its banks and herds of cattle often drinking from the river at dawn. The attractions are distributed along a single road with driving distances between them, making self-drive or private charter tours more convenient. Both Tianchi Lake and Tuofengling Tianchi require climbing steps, so comfortable shoes are recommended. The forest area experiences significant temperature variations between morning and evening, so bringing a jacket is advisable even during summer and fall visits.