Yuanbao Stone

Yuanbao Stone

The Huanglong Yuanbao Stone, known as the "Wonder of the East China Sea," is comparable in grandeur to the "Wind-moving Rock" on Goulou Mountain in Dongshan County, Fujian. Legend has it that it is one of two Yuanbao stones accidentally dropped by Nüwa while mending the heavens over the East China Sea. The other is located on Zhǐ'ào Mountain at the far end of Huanglong Island, said to be "two dragon eggs hatched by the dragon."

The Yuanbao Stone rises from the steep cliffs of Huanglong Island, featuring two uniquely shaped giant rocks that resemble large and small "ingots" lying horizontally across the cliff face.

The larger Yuanbao Stone is wider at the top and narrower at the base, standing about 6 meters tall and weighing approximately 100 tons. Viewed from the east, it resembles an open giant folding fan; the smaller one nestles to its west, measuring 4 meters in length and around 5 tons in weight, with both ends raised and the middle sunken, and a curved base. Sleek and smooth, it looks like a divine stone perched atop the downward-sloping cliff edge, seemingly ready to tumble at any touch.

Folklore says that a thin thread can be pulled through the base of the rock by two people holding a string. It sways slightly when lightly shaken, and standing on it and stomping causes it to bounce up and down, making a loud “lao lao” sound, as if it might plunge off the cliff—thrilling and terrifying. Yet even a typhoon of force 12 cannot move it.

The western wall of the larger Yuanbao Stone is also inscribed with the four characters “东海云龙” (East Sea Cloud Dragon), bold and striking, written by Zhang Chuanlong of Siming during his maritime patrol in the 34th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty.