Guizishan Stone Pillar Forest

Guizishan Stone Pillar Forest

The Guizishan Stone Pillar Forest Scenic Area is the core attraction of the Luhe National Geopark, located about 17 kilometers north of Luhe City and adjacent to the Jinniu Lake Scenic Area. It is easily accessible via the Jinjiang Highway from downtown Luhe. Recognized as one of the scenic wonders of Jinling (Nanjing), it is described as “Tracing back ten thousand years, flames soared three thousand zhang into the sky; wandering through Luhe, ten thousand jade-like pillars stand on the earth.” Scientifically speaking, the stone pillar forest was formed when basalt magma erupted from a volcano millions of years ago, sprayed onto the ground, and then cooled and contracted to create hexagonal, pentagonal, and other uniquely shaped “columnar joints.” The existing pillar forest features near-vertical cliffs over 50 meters high, with approximately 50,000 basalt pillars covering the mountainside—some standing upright, others tilted. With potential development, their visible height could reach up to 100 meters, presenting a majestic and awe-inspiring sight.

Originally a quarry, in 1983, Professor Xu Keqin from the Department of Geology at Nanjing University first discovered the unusually regular stone pillars during a geological survey of the area. He subsequently recommended that the local government protect the site and use it as a geological study location for universities such as Nanjing University. Following this discovery, the phenomenon attracted significant interest from the international geological community. In 1987, it was listed among the Forty Scenic Spots of Jinling by Nanjing City. In August 1996, it was designated as an official field investigation site for the 30th International Geological Congress. Geological experts from 13 countries and regions—including Italy and Denmark—visited the site and spoke highly of it.

The scenic area is divided into three parts in terms of layout. From the entrance at Guizishan on the Jinjiang Highway to the Visitor Plaza is the Orientation Zone; the Geological Museum serves as the Science Education Zone; and the mountain itself constitutes the Wonder Viewing Zone.

The Orientation Zone includes basic facilities for visitor parking and rest, a landmark structure—the Gate Stele of the Luhe National Geopark—and nearly 5,000 square meters of landscaped gardens with strong local flavor.

The Luhe National Geopark Museum fully showcases the science and culture of the geopark and serves as an important base for science education for young people. The museum is organized into six themed exhibition halls. The first is the Reception and Service Hall, used for staff offices and visitor services. The second is the Multi-functional Film and Video Hall, featuring multimedia presentations introducing the geological layout and characteristics of Luhe and the Guizishan Scenic Area, helping visitors gain a comprehensive understanding of the region’s landforms and cultural traditions. The third is the Model Hall, displaying scaled-down physical models of all major geological landscapes across Luhe, giving visitors a broad overview of the area’s other attractions even while visiting Guizishan. The fourth is the Volcano and Stone Pillar Forest Exhibition Hall, which uses 23 geological information panels and some physical exhibits to inform visitors about global and Chinese volcano distributions, types, and characteristics, as well as the formation and features of stone pillar forests, enhancing their understanding of volcanoes. The fifth is the Volcanic Eruption Simulation Hall, which combines image displays with a physical model demonstrating volcanic eruptions. This hall integrates eruption systems, sound and light effects, software controls, simulated lava flow demonstrations, and thermal sensation systems to recreate the experience of a real volcanic eruption, making visitors feel as if they are witnessing an actual event. The sixth is the Rainflower Stone and Culture Exhibition Hall, showcasing Nanjing’s specialty—Luhe Rainflower Stones—and modern Chinese folk art, particularly the Six Harmonies Farmers’ Paintings. Alongside exhibitions of these items and artworks, local artists also create works on-site for visitors to admire and collect.

Exiting the Geological Museum leads you into the Wonder Viewing Zone. By following the winding hiking trails up the mountain, visitors can reach the summit of Guizishan, enjoying panoramic views of the nearby rural farmland as well as distant vistas of Jinniu Lake and Yeshan Mountain—a truly refreshing experience. Descending the trail to the mountain’s base reveals the breathtaking sight of towering stone pillars. The basalt pillars, neatly arranged in pentagonal or hexagonal formations, stand upright like a forest of cliffs, with some tilting on the northern side. There are approximately 50,000 pillars, each about 40–50 cm wide and 10–35 cm thick per segment, creating a spectacular and imposing scene that has earned high praise from experts and scholars worldwide.

Transportation Guide Scenic Area Address: Guizishan, Yeshan Town, Luhe District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Public Transport: Take bus routes from Nanjing such as Yiqiao–Luhe, Zhongshan South Road–Luhe, or Zhongyangmen–Luhe to the South Gate of Luhe, then transfer to the Luhe–Yeshan special line to reach the site.

Self-driving Route: Nanjing City – Ningliu Highway – Jinjiang Highway – Luhe Highway – Stone Pillar Forest