Wenshan Stone Forest Scenic Area

Wenshan Stone Forest Scenic Area

The Wenshan Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Wenshan Township in the southeastern part of the city, covering an area of 20 square kilometers. It is the largest and most beautiful stone forest discovered so far in East China. The area features a deep green hue, with grotesque rocks in all kinds of shapes, dotted with wild grasses and flowers, resembling a gigantic mural. At dawn and dusk, when the sky is painted with red clouds, clusters of stone pillars are bathed in colorful light, creating a mysterious and dreamlike scene akin to a fairyland.

The scenic area is scattered with uniquely shaped rocks—some majestic, some delicate and charming, some resembling humans or deities, others like animals or objects—all strikingly lifelike, as if carved by the hands of gods, leaving all visitors in awe. Experts have praised the stone forest: “Its wonder rivals that of Yunnan’s Stone Forest, and its beauty surpasses that of Suzhou Gardens.” The Wenshan Stone Forest offers a rare destination that combines tourism, leisure, exploration, and scientific research, featuring stunning stone landscapes, pristine natural ecology, a tranquil and refreshing environment, and a diverse range of geological formations.

The Stone Forest Scenic Area consists of three parts: the Wind-Moving Stone Area, the Wind Gate Area, and the Stone Forest Labyrinth Area. The most representative is the Wind Gate Area, where the stone forest landscape is more spectacular than that of Yunnan’s Stone Forest. The “Buddha’s Hand” is the iconic attraction of the stone forest here, standing over 40 meters tall. Its most fascinating feature is its ever-changing appearance—viewed from different angles, it presents various scenes: the hand of the Buddha, a dinosaur emerging, a giant sea turtle, smooth sailing, a monkey viewing the landscape, a turning lion, and more. Perhaps this is the boundless power of Buddhism. Additionally, the “Buddha’s Hand,” together with nearby attractions, forms an intriguing story scene of “the Buddha fighting with the Monkey King, and the heavenly gods capturing the monkey.”