China Han Yuan (Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets)

China Han Yuan (Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets)

China Han Yuan (Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets) is a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction, a cultural tourism site, and a patriotic education base.

The Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets was created by Li Gongtao on the western shore of Longting Lake in Kaifeng, the ancient capital of seven dynasties. Covering an area of over a hundred acres, it features more than 3,700 stone tablets, integrating the art of calligraphy and stone carving from ancient to modern times, and combining natural landscape wonders with classical garden architectural art. In 2005, it was rated as a National AAAA-level Scenic Tourist Area, and in 2006, it was named by the province as the Henan Advanced Cultural Demonstration Base. Mr. Li Gongtao was awarded the title of “Contemporary Cultural Foolish Old Man” by the Kaifeng Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee. In 1985, Mr. Li Gongtao led his family to establish the China Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets with self-raised funds, and set a family motto: “Only contribute, never take, until the forest is completed and donated to the nation free of charge.”

The Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets is located in the scenic Longting Lake area of the ancient capital Kaifeng, covering an area of 120 acres. It is divided into two major scenic areas: the Stele Corridor and the Garden. The garden is fresh and elegant, with enchanting scenery, waterfalls and fountains cascading, lakes and islands complementing each other. The original view of the south gate of the Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets.

Towering pines and cypresses, pavilions and towers are nestled among the lake and mountain scenery, allowing you to reflect on the long-standing history of Chinese culture in this beautiful setting.

Founder

The President of South Korea, Kim Young-sam, made a special trip to China to visit an elderly man. National leaders gave high praise for this man’s pioneering spirit. He is Li Gongtao, now in his eighties, known as the “Contemporary Cultural Foolish Old Man” and the founder of China Han Yuan.

To promote national culture and art, Li Gongtao has devoted himself for decades, investing everything he had, leading his family, striving hard, making selfless contributions, and extensively collecting masterpieces from around the world to create the largest privately-run forest of stone tablets in China — the Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets. Inspired by Gongtao’s spirit, all sectors of society have generously contributed and strongly supported the project. Today, this large-scale cultural garden, covering an area of over a hundred acres, featuring more than 3,700 stone tablets, integrating the art of calligraphy and stone carving from ancient to modern times, and combining natural landscape wonders with classical garden architectural art, stands proudly on the western shore of the picturesque Longting Lake in the ancient capital of seven dynasties, Kaifeng.

The simple, elegant, majestic, and spectacular stele corridor houses over 3,700 precious stone tablets of calligraphy and painting. Centered on calligraphy art, it encompasses the essence of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal engraving, systematically showcasing the history of Chinese writing and calligraphy — from oracle bone script of the Shang Dynasty to famous steles, calligraphy works, and masterpieces by renowned calligraphers throughout the ages. The richness of contemporary masters’ works is a highlight of the forest. There are ten major stele corridors here, including the Historical Calligraphy Stele Corridor, Zhongshan Stele Corridor, Modern Calligraphy Stele Corridor, International Friends Stele Corridor, Painting Stele Corridor, Seal Engraving Stele Corridor, and Minority Calligraphy Stele Corridor, displaying the long history and profound depth of Chinese calligraphy and painting art.

Various art activities such as calligraphy and painting exhibitions, competitions, brushwork exchanges, lessons, and collection trades are held irregularly here, allowing you to experience endless artistic charm.

A series of books including "China Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets," "Anthology of Poems from China Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets," "The Soul of Han Yuan," "Collection One of China Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets," "Collection Two of China Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets," and "Father of Han Yuan" have recorded the development of Han Yuan and showcased its artistic spirit. The monthly "Han Yuan Calligraphy and Painting Newspaper" provides an ideal platform for art exchange, appreciation, and learning for enthusiasts around the country and the world.

Wide-ranging Radiation Effect

In recent years, China Han Yuan has also built new cultural exhibition halls and landscapes such as the Kaifeng Celebrity Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets Hall, Ancient Chinese Education, the Chinese Imperial Examination System, the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, and the Top Scholar List. Through text introductions, photo displays, and animation effects, these serve the educational functions of the park.

Based on its cultural characteristics, China Han Yuan holds events annually in the two major areas of Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets and Mount Wansui — such as the Spring-Autumn Flower, Bird, Fish, and Insect Expo, the Han Yuan Golden Autumn Cultural Tourism Art Festival in October, and the grand Ancestral Worship Temple Fair during the Spring Festival.

Renowned Overseas

In recent years, China Han Yuan has achieved many honors with strong support from leaders in all circles and the Kaifeng Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government. The Henan Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, Provincial Education Commission, Provincial Tourism Bureau, Provincial Party History Research Office, and Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau have successively designated the Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets as a Moral Education Base for Primary and Secondary Schools in Henan Province, and one of the first provincial-level patriotic education bases. On October 25, 2004, it was further recognized as an Advanced Unit in Provincial Patriotic Education Demonstration Base Work. In 2005, it was rated as a National AAAA-level Scenic Tourist Area, and in 2006, it was named by the province as the Henan Advanced Cultural Demonstration Base, while Mr. Li Gongtao was awarded the title of “Contemporary Cultural Foolish Old Man” by the Kaifeng Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee. Over the past 20 years, more than 1,000 media outlets at home and abroad have reported on it over 6,000 times, and more than 20 feature documentaries have been produced. The fame of the Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets has spread both domestically and internationally.

The brilliance of China Han Yuan is evident to all, and central leaders have also shown great interest in it.

The glorious achievements of China Han Yuan are there for all to see, and central leaders have also taken great interest in China Han Yuan.

Development Vision

In the future construction process, the Han Yuan Forest of Stone Tablets is determined to become a world-renowned large-scale cultural tourism destination of high cultural taste, high-level gardens, and top-tier stone tablet forests in China. According to the plan, it will focus on developing the two major industries of tourism and culture, constructing three major landscapes: stele landscapes, sculpture landscapes, and artificial landscapes, and aims to build the forest into three major bases: a base for calligraphy and painting exchange activities with influence both at home and abroad, a base for spiritual civilization, and a base for artistic performance activities. Once these goals are achieved, the cultural taste will be even higher, and the scenery will become even more beautiful and colorful.

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Opening hours: 08:00–18:00

Address: No. 15, Longting North Road, Longting District, Kaifeng

Type: Garden/Park

Rating: AAAA

Suggested visiting duration: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0371-22891558

Official website: http://www.hanyuan.cc

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:30.

Ticket Information:

Adult ticket: 40 RMB. Children under 1.4 meters in height and seniors over 70 years old can enter free of charge with valid ID. Students receive a half-price ticket with valid ID.

Transportation:

Located opposite Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, you can take bus routes 1, 15, 20, 30, or 38 to the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden stop.