Krokodil-Berg (Eyushan) Landschaftsgebiet

Crocodile Mountain Scenic Area is the geological heart of Weizhou Island, a protected headland on the southwest shore of the island's main South Bay that preserves the most complete and most dramatic record of the volcanic activity which built Weizhou. As the highest-rated single attraction on the island, it is the one site that almost every visitor comes to see, and for many travelers it is the single most memorable landscape on a Beihai trip. For anyone interested in geology, coastal scenery, or simply raw and photogenic nature, it is the highlight of any Weizhou itinerary.

The headland takes its name from its shape: from certain angles the ridge, dipping toward the sea at one end and rising to a rounded summit at the other, resembles a crocodile drinking from the bay. Up close, the mountain is a near-complete volcanic landscape, with layered basalts recording successive eruption phases, twisted lava channels cut into the dark rock, mineral staining in vivid reds and ochres, and clear remnants of the original crater and vents. Marked trails lead visitors through these features, and the relative freshness of the rock, geologically speaking, makes it easy to read the story of the eruptions in the field.

A concrete viewing corridor winds along the upper part of the headland, giving safe access to the most dramatic viewpoints over the South Bay and out across the open water beyond. The route ends at the white lighthouse that crowns the ridge, one of the most photographed landmarks on the island, and from the terraces around the lighthouse the panorama takes in the full sweep of the bay, the distant fishing harbor, and the curve of the island's southern coast. Photographers tend to find the late-afternoon light here particularly rewarding.

Below the main trail, the foreshore opens up at low tide to reveal a different side of the volcanic landscape. Wave-cut platforms, sea caves, and tidal pools carve the soft basalt into intricate forms, and the pools are alive with small fish, crabs, sea urchins, and shells. Gathering shells and small marine life from these pools is a popular pastime, and for younger visitors the chance to explore the tidal zone is often as memorable as the volcanic geology above. Visitors should be careful on the wet rocks and check tide times before venturing far from the trail.

Crocodile Mountain is best treated as a half-day excursion within a longer Weizhou stay, and it pairs naturally with the other volcanic and coastal sites around the island, particularly Five-Color Beach on the east coast. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking the exposed headland, while summer brings the warmest weather but also the strongest sun, so sun protection and water are essential. For international visitors making the journey out to Weizhou, Crocodile Mountain is the indispensable centerpiece of any island itinerary.