Updated for 2026: This is still one of the easiest nature escapes from Haikou, best done as a relaxed half-day or day trip. Expect scenic walking paths, crater viewpoints, and a mix of volcanic landscapes and village history.
Hainan is sometimes called the "Hawaii of the East," and the island's volcanic past is a big reason why. Around Haikou, old volcanoes and lava fields have created one of the most unusual landscapes in this part of China.
Near Haikou, around Shishan Town, lies a cluster of roughly 100 ancient volcanoes. The best-known crater rises a little over 220 meters above sea level, with a deep hollow dropping below the rim.
It is called Ma'an, or "saddle," because of its shape: two peaks with a dip in the middle. From the observation deck at the top, you can look straight down into the crater, and the climb up follows steps made from dark volcanic rock.
The park is also known for its lava caves. Some are surprisingly spacious, and geologists have long floated the idea of turning one of them into an underground volcanic museum.
Not far from the park is Rongtancun, a village built from lava stone. Nearby are dozens of lava caves and tunnel-like formations, with traces of human use dating back to Neolithic times.
