Valley of Floating Stones Forest

Valley of Floating Stones Forest

The Valley of Floating Stones Forest is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Valley of Floating Stones Forest, also known as Jinggang Mountain, is located 6 kilometers southeast of the Changbai Mountain scenic area entrance. It lies within a massive rift valley formed after volcanic eruptions and tectonic shifts, and serves as a key passageway for visiting Shuangmu Peak, the China–North Korea border marker, Yuanchi Pond, and Kim Il-sung’s Fishing Platform.

The Valley of Floating Stones Forest originates from the western side of Tiyun Peak in Changbai Mountain. After the Big and Small Ladder Rivers converge, the waterway is called the Ladder River. The Ladder River flows westward into the Jin River, which is a secondary tributary of the First Songhua River. The riverbed is only 2 meters wide but reaches depths of several to dozens of meters. With steep cliffs on both sides and rapid currents, the water is cool and sweet. Since the riverbed is composed of basalt and has a trapezoidal cross-section that widens at the bottom and narrows at the top, and because the source riverbed is steep like layered steps, it is called the Ladder River.

Parts of the Ladder River flow underground, so from the surface, only a winding crevice can be seen. In some sections, the river is covered by vegetation and rocks, making the water invisible while only the sound of flowing water can be heard—hence the Ladder River is also known as the Underground River.

Descending into the river valley and looking up, you’ll see only a sliver of light, and the water is bone-chillingly cold, like a natural refrigerator. The landscape is famed for its beauty, wonder, danger, and serenity. It combines peculiar peaks, waterfalls, strange rocks, underground rivers, springs, lush trees, exotic flowers, and rare plants, embodying pristine, ecological, and natural beauty that is truly breathtaking. The valley features oddly shaped rocks, spectacular scenes, elegant valleys and peaks, Wordless Steles, Fahai the Monk’s Meditation Rock, and Tang Seng’s Scripture-Chanting Peak, giving the area an ethereal aura. There are springs in the valley, pools that are small yet graceful, waters not deep but crystal clear, and streams not long but murmuring gently. The mountains are more majestic because of the water, and the water more beautiful because of the mountains. The grandeur of the mountains, the meandering beauty of the streams, the lush grass, the vibrant flowers, the winding paths, and the twisting bridges all make for an overwhelmingly stunning natural scene. The name’s origin: The name of the Valley of Floating Stones in Changbai Mountain has evolved multiple times throughout different dynasties. Originally called “Jinggang Mountain,” it was later referred to as the “Volcanic Valley” or “Valley Sand Forest” due to its formation from volcanic eruptions. As much of it consists of pumice stones, it became known as the Valley of Floating Stones Forest—a fitting and pleasant name still used today.

Major Attractions

Ladder River

After the Big and Small Ladder Rivers converge, the waterway is called the Ladder River. The Ladder River flows westward into the Jin River, which is a secondary tributary of the First Songhua River.

The riverbed is only 2 meters wide but reaches depths of several to dozens of meters.

With steep cliffs on both sides and rapid currents, the water is cool and sweet. Since the riverbed is composed of basalt and has a trapezoidal cross-section that widens at the bottom and narrows at the top, and because the source riverbed is steep like layered steps, it is called the Ladder River.

Some sections of the Ladder River are covered by vegetation and rocks, so only the sound of the water can be heard, while the river itself remains hidden—thus it is also known as the Underground River.

Auspicious Tree

It is a Korean pine tree, which has been standing for several hundred years.

The Korean pine, also known as fruit pine or sea pine, is an evergreen tree belonging to the Pinaceae family and the Pinus genus.

The Korean pine is valued for its premium timber, straight grain, strong compressive strength, and resistance to decay. It is one of China’s most important high-quality timber species, often referred to as a “pillar of construction,” with a maximum lifespan of over 500 years.

Locals have a tradition of tying a red ribbon around long-living, precious trees—for themselves, their loved ones, especially future generations—as a wish for longevity and to grow old alongside the tree. For this reason, it is also called the “Auspicious Tree.”

Everyone can tie a ribbon here for their loved ones, praying for blessings and everlasting safety.

Mountain God Platform

Changbai Mountain is the birthplace of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and also a sacred mountain for the Shamanist people. Shamanism believes in the spirituality of all things, using shamans as messengers between humans and spirits. The deities worshipped in Shamanism include natural gods, animal gods, ancestor gods, and human deities.

Here we enshrine the natural god—the master of Changbai Mountain, “Chao He Zhan Wang.”

Legend says Chao He Zhan Wang is the protector deity of the Shamanist people. No matter how great the suffering or misfortune in the human world, Chao He Zhan Wang can relieve worries, bring blessings, and ensure everlasting peace.

People in China’s northeastern forested regions particularly revere the mountain god. Before rituals, business openings, or hunting expeditions, they first worship the mountain god to pray for favorable weather, peace, prosperity, and good fortune.

Hunter’s Cabin

The Manchu people are a hunting-oriented ethnic group who originally lived off hunting, and the Changbai Mountain forest region is a paradise for wildlife.

In the past, many hunters built small wooden cabins here to stay in during hunting trips. The Hunter’s Cabin is reconstructed on the original site of those historic huts. Next to the cabin is a shooting range, where hunters practiced archery in the early morning.

The Manchu people have a custom: the more bows and arrows hung at someone’s front door, the more it signifies that the household is home to a renowned hunter. Even when a child is born, bows and arrows are hung at the doorway.

This symbolizes hopes for bravery and skill in battle in the future. Hunters would also customarily shoot a few arrows at straw targets each morning. If one arrow pierced the center, it meant the hunter would have good luck and a bountiful catch that day. Floating Stones Forest Formation Zone:

The first sand peak you’ll see is called “Dalidangga,” which in the Manchu language means “screen wall.” Legend has it that Nurhaci, the founding emperor of the Qing Dynasty, once came to the Floating Stone Forest while gathering ginseng in the mountains. Exhausted and unable to walk any further, he placed his Sorog pole in front of this sand peak and leaned against it to rest. The peak shielded him from the wind and rain, allowing him to fall asleep and dream of becoming an emperor. Upon waking, he believed the sand peak had spiritual power and named it Dalidangga, meaning “shielding from wind and rain,” implying that those who pass by will be blessed.

The second water peak is called the Sacred Deer Peak. The Manchu people revered deer due to their practical value. During hunting, the Manchus would perform a “Deer God Dance.” After hunting a deer, it was strictly forbidden for women to touch or step on the deer hide before it dried, as it was believed this would bring bad luck for future hunts and make the hide unsellable. This reflects the reverence the Manchus held for deer.

Among Manchu surnames, the Deer God was also worshipped as a clan deity. For example, the Wu family of Ningguta worshipped a Deer God known as “Zhuoluo Mama.”

The Wordless Stele

This stele was created in memory of Emperor Shunzhi. It is also tied to a long-standing romantic legend of an emperor who loved beauty more than his empire. Let’s revisit the beautiful tale of this passionate ruler: It is said that in the south there lived a young nobleman named Mao Pijiang, from a wealthy and upright family, known for his generosity and literary talent. Dong Xiaowan, a famous courtesan from the Jiangnan region, admired him and came to serve him. At that time, during the chaos caused by Li Zicheng’s rebellion, Prince Dodo of the Qing army led troops southward. Upon hearing of Dong Xiaowan’s stunning beauty, he devised a scheme to take her away and later secretly sent her into the imperial palace. Once in the palace, Dong Xiaowan won the deep affection of Emperor Shunzhi, but her heart remained with Mao Pijiang, and she never smiled in his presence. The Empress Dowager, fearing the emperor would neglect state affairs for love, confined Dong Xiaowan to Yuquan Palace. After her imprisonment, Shunzhi became distraught. One night, he secretly visited Yuquan Palace to see her. They gazed at each other in silence, and finally, Dong Xiaowan told him, “If we are fated to meet again, let it be at Mount Wutai.” Shunzhi left the palace laughing foolishly. From then on, he was obsessed, constantly murmuring, “See you at Mount Wutai.” To restore his sanity, the Empress Dowager decided to burn Yuquan Palace to sever his longing, and in the fire, Dong Xiaowan, along with the eunuchs and maids, perished. Instead of grieving, Shunzhi laughed heartily upon hearing the news.

Days later, news spread that the emperor had vanished. To prevent panic, the Empress Dowager kept the incident secret and announced the emperor’s death, with the third prince, Xuanye (later Emperor Kangxi), ascending the throne. As for Shunzhi, after leaving a will, he slipped out of the palace one night and traveled westward. At dawn, he met a bald-headed monk by the roadside holding prayer beads and a kasaya, claiming they were left by his master. The monk said his master had told him that whoever could paint the dragon’s eyes onto a painting was the master reincarnated. The monk then handed Shunzhi an ink painting and a worn brush. Shunzhi painted the dragon’s eyes, and the dragon came to life. The monk called him “Master” and reminded him of his promise to the “female bodhisattva.” Shunzhi immediately donned the kasaya and followed the monk to Mount Wutai. Ever since, visitors to Mount Wutai’s Qingliang Mountain often report seeing two ghostly figures—believed to be Shunzhi and Dong Xiaowan. Shunzhi, the first Qing emperor after entering the Great Wall, grew tired of court life and became a monk. He wrote a poem: “All Buddhist monasteries drink from this mountain, / The robe and bowl are shared everywhere. / Gold and silver are not the true treasures, / But wearing the kasaya is the hardest. / Eighteen years without freedom, / When will the battles cease? / Now I let go and return westward, / Who cares about centuries to come?” This poem encourages people to pursue a life of simplicity and inner peace. Thus, the Wordless Stele was erected for Shunzhi—as the saying goes, “Let history judge the rights and wrongs.”

Fodo Mama

On the western wall of Manchu homes, Fodo Mama is worshipped. In the Manchu language, “Fodo” means “willow tree,” and “Mama” means “grandmother” or “elderly woman.” Worshipping Fodo Mama is believed to bring fertility and prosperity to the family. Additionally, there are other natural wonders such as Fahai’s Meditation Rock and Tang Seng’s Scripture-Chanting Peak. The Floating Stone Forest canyon also features many natural springs: “Friendship Spring” symbolizes friendship, “Princess Spring” is said to nourish the skin, and “Mother Spring” represents selfless maternal love. Stamping your foot by Mother Spring causes bubbles to ripple in the water like a mother’s smile; cupping a handful and drinking it reveals a sweetness akin to a mother’s nurturing milk.

Transportation Information

The scenic area is located 6 kilometers southeast of the Changbai Mountain Gate in Jilin Province. To reach Changbai Mountain, you must first get to Bahe Town, which is accessible via National Highway 201 and Provincial Highway 202. You can reach Bahe from Dunhua via National Highway 201, from Yanji via Provincial Highway 202, or from Tonghua via National Highway 201. Additionally, as Changbai Mountain Scenic Area is under the jurisdiction of Antu County, there are also buses available from Antu.

The Yanji South Bus Station offers direct daily buses to the Tianchi Scenic Area of Changbai Mountain, as well as buses to Erdaobaihe, from where you can hire a car to Changbai Mountain. Transportation from Erdaobaihe to cities like Changchun is convenient, with the departure point located in front of the Erda Telecommunications Building.