Tengchong Volcanic Field: Earth, Light, and Color

Tengchong, the land of geothermal wonders, is located in the western part of Baoshan City, at the southern end of the Hengduan Mountains. It's a rare and quintessential area where volcanoes and geothermal activity coexist, and one of the youngest volcanic regions in China. Situated on the edge of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Tengchong experiences frequent seismic activity. Volcanic eruptions occurred from over 3 million years ago to just over 3,000 years ago. Inhabited since the Neolithic era, it later became an important border town. During the Ming Dynasty, a stone city was built, earning it the name "Top Border City." The Volcano Scenic Area features volcanic geology and landforms, with major attractions like Dakongshan and Xiaokongshan. Beyond the volcanic cones, the area is covered in volcanic lava, with multiple volcanoes clustered together, showcasing classic volcanic geological features. This is my second trip to Tengchong. The first was during the Chinese New Year period. Flights from Kunming to Tengchong were scarce, but luckily, I managed to snag tickets on Trip.com. Checking five-star hotel prices, I found that larger cities like Chongqing and Kunming had more availability and relatively stable prices. However, in smaller tourist hotspots like Tengchong, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, capacity is limited, and five-star hotel prices more than double during peak seasons. Off-peak travel is definitely the way to go for significant savings. Fortunately, I had a place to stay without spending any money, which was fantastic. This time in Tengchong, I visited the Volcanic Geothermal National Geological Park, Heshun Ancient Town, and Simola Wa Village. Of course, a trip to Tengchong wouldn't be complete without a hot spring experience. I chose the Tengchong Banyan Tree Spa Resort, which was exceptional. Tengchong is a wonderful place for a relaxing vacation, and I'll definitely return if I have the chance.