湖光岩风景区

Updated April 6, 2026

湖光岩风景区 is a well-regarded tourist attraction located in Zhanjiang, China. With a rating of 4.0 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.

Location

You can find 湖光岩风景区 at 47VM+6GF, Mazhang District, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China, 524091.

Visiting 湖光岩风景区

Located in Zhanjiang, China, 湖光岩风景区 is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The tourist attraction is located at 47VM+6GF, Mazhang District, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China, 524091. GPS coordinates: 21.143058, 110.283812. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

Location

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Nestled about 18 kilometers southwest of Zhanjiang city, 湖光岩风景区 is one of those places that sticks with you long after you leave. This volcanic crater lake was formed between 140,000 and 160,000 years ago—yeah, you read that right—and it’s one of just two maar lakes on the entire planet, the other being in Germany’s Manderscheid.

But the geology isn’t the only thing that’ll grab your attention. There are odd little mysteries here, like the total lack of frogs and leeches, and those stories about water geysers suddenly erupting at night during the summer.

Your visit is a mix of sightseeing and genuine scientific curiosity. The lake sits below sea level and is fed entirely by underground springs, so the water level barely budges all year.

Guided tours will take you through the ancient Lengyan Temple, tucked right into volcanic rock caves. And, trust me, you’ll want your camera for the 2.3-square-kilometer lake ringed by lush subtropical rainforest.

Most people don’t realize the lake water is loaded with over 60 trace elements and minerals. Locals will tell you there are health benefits, though I’m not quite ready to call it a miracle cure.

And those soft-boned fish darting around? They’re unique to this lake, slowly adapting over thousands of years to its quirky chemistry.

About 湖光岩风景区

This spot is the real deal for geology buffs. The maar lake took shape in a violent eruption during the Pleistocene, and it’s so rare that UNESCO named it a World Geopark back in 2006.

Scientists are obsessed with the 400-meter-deep sediment layers—like a natural time capsule stretching back tens of thousands of years.

Buddhism made its mark here during the Sui Dynasty, when monks carved Lengyan Temple right into the volcanic cliffs. It’s one of China’s eighteen major ancient monasteries, which is wild to think about.

During the Song Dynasty, Prime Minister Li Gang, on his way to exile in Hainan, stopped and chiseled the characters “湖光岩” (Huguangyan) into the cliff. You can still spot his calligraphy today.

In 2004, the area partnered with Germany’s Eifel maar lakes, and two years later, UNESCO stepped in with the World Geopark label. The Volcano Museum got a serious upgrade in 2014—it’s worth a look if you want to geek out over how these rare lakes form when magma and groundwater have their explosive meet-cute.

The lake is totally isolated within its volcanic rim, which means no outside water flows in or out. That’s partly why the water is so clear, and why the ecosystem is so…weirdly pristine.

The air here is loaded with negative ions—over 100,000 per cubic centimeter, apparently—which is why everyone calls it a “natural oxygen bar.” I’m not a scientist, but I swear you can feel it in your lungs.

There’s a local legend about a celestial woman riding a white ox who landed here, and you’ll spot her statue near the eastern gate. The lake’s lack of snakes and frogs, despite being in the tropics, is something locals chalk up to supernatural protection (or maybe just luck).

Rainforest creeps down the crater slopes, blending subtropical and tropical plants. Ancient trees have these wild buttress roots, and strangler figs twist dramatically around their hosts. The poetry corridor, built in 1986, winds along the hill with water features and stone-carved verses—definitely worth a stroll.

What to See and Do

Huguangyan Scenic Area isn’t just a pretty lake. There’s a lot packed into its 4.7 square kilometers—rare volcanic features, ancient temples, and enough oddities to keep you wandering for hours.

The maar lake is the star, no question. Heart-shaped, deep, and mysteriously clean, it averages about 20 meters deep. Locals swear the water purifies itself and has some sort of magnetic field. I can’t vouch for the science, but it does feel a little magical.

Lengyan Temple is perched on the cliff and dates back over 1,400 years. The main hall is literally built into a volcanic cave, which gives it a vibe you won’t find in most Guangdong temples. Look for Li Gang’s “Huguangyan” calligraphy—it’s still etched into the rock.

Head up to Wanghai Tower on Lion Peak for sweeping views of the whole lake. The three-story pavilion houses a huge indoor Guanyin statue, and the path up is lined with bodhi trees. Bonus: it’s about three degrees cooler inside the crater, which is a lifesaver in summer.

The Leizhou World Geopark Museum by the west gate breaks down the volcanic geology in plain language. If you’ve ever wondered how maar lakes actually form, this is the place to get answers.

April through October is prime time—everything’s green, and the weather’s warm. The 3.7-kilometer trail around the lake is a treat, though summer heat can sneak up on you. The crater helps keep things a bit cooler, but don’t expect miracles.

Winter, from November to February, means fewer people and cooler air. The lake never freezes, and the vegetation stays surprisingly green thanks to Zhanjiang’s subtropical climate. If you’re an early riser, come at dawn any season to catch the mist rolling off the water before the crowds show up.

If you can, steer clear of Chinese national holidays like Golden Week in October. It gets packed. Weekdays are way more peaceful for exploring the temples and geological nooks.

Visitor Information

Huguangyan is about 18 kilometers south of downtown Zhanjiang, out in Mazhang District. It’s not exactly next door, so a little planning goes a long way.

The scenic area opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 6:30 PM in summer (6:00 PM in winter), so you’ve got plenty of daylight to explore this volcanic wonder.

You’ll find it in Huguang Town, Mazhang District—about 15 to 19 kilometers from Zhanjiang’s Xiashan district, depending on your starting point. Public buses are reliable. If you’re at Zhanjiang West Railway Station, grab bus number 6 and hop off at Huguangyan West Gate station. The ride takes about an hour, and it’s just a short walk from there.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps work fine if you’re not into waiting for buses. The whole scenic area covers 38 square kilometers, but the main zone you’ll actually explore is about 13.6 square kilometers.

Most folks come in through either the West or East Gate. Unless you’ve got mobility issues, you probably won’t need the 20-yuan sightseeing cart—the paths around the lake are easy enough to manage on foot.

Tips for Visitors

Entrance tickets run 50 yuan per person. Sometimes you’ll catch a weekday discount in June—40 yuan if you’re lucky.

Kids, seniors, and students usually get a break on the price, but I’d double-check the current rules when you arrive. The path around the lake takes about 2-3 hours if you’re strolling, so trust me, you’ll want good walking shoes.

Bring water. Zhanjiang’s humidity, especially from April through October, sneaks up on you and you’ll be craving a drink halfway around.

What’s wild is the air here—it’s loaded with negative oxygen ions, way above what you’ll find in most forests. You can actually feel the difference when you breathe in, which is not something I say lightly.

If you can, get there early. The crowds haven’t rolled in yet, and mist sometimes hovers over the water. Those are the best moments for photos, hands down.

Don’t miss the Geological Museum by the west entrance. It lays out why 湖光岩 is such a scientific marvel, and honestly, the displays help you make sense of what you’re seeing.

The lake itself? It drops more than 400 meters deep in some places and holds sediment records dating back 140,000 to 160,000 years. There’s only one other lake like this on the planet—in Germany’s Eifel region.