Luoguquan Karst Stone Forest

Luoguquan Karst Stone Forest

Luoguquan Karst Stone Forest

Situated in the western part of Hefeng County, Hubei Province, it borders the Xueluozhai Forest Farm of Xuan'en County to the north and the Badagongshan National Nature Reserve in Hunan Province to the south. The Ya-Lai Provincial Highway runs east-west, and the site lies 32 km from the county seat, spanning an area of about 10 km². The landscape is characterized by rolling mountains, intertwined ridges, and crisscrossing gullies with substantial elevation differences and deep valleys. Surrounded by mountains, the area is dotted with towering rocky peaks, numerous caves, and sinkholes. Notably, the Luoguquan area features renowned attractions such as the natural stone bridge, the stone forest cliff peak and one-line sky, the Great Stone Maze, Swallow Rock, Twin Lions Welcoming the Pearl, the Horse Forest at Modoukou, and the ancient Tusi battlefield. These form a unique karst mountain landscape and a distinctive mountainous ecological climate zone.

The peculiar karst stone forest covers an area of 2 km², where oddly shaped rocks stand densely scattered, interspersed with towering trees in a harmonious layout. The stone forest merges with the forest, creating a stunning interplay of stone and greenery. The steep cliffs are covered with round, disc-like rocks that resemble gongs and drums—hence the name "Luoguquan" (Gong and Drum Circle).

Due to the significant relative elevation within Luoguquan and the influence of localized microclimates, the area experiences distinct seasons: warm springs, cold winters, mild summers, cool autumns, late springs, early autumns, high humidity, frequent fog, and abundant rainfall. The distinct microclimate is favorable for the growth of diverse plant species and the survival and reproduction of wildlife. There are 81 families and 289 species of woody plants, including representative species such as Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, Silvery Fir, Tetracentron sinense, and Liriodendron chinense. The wildlife includes 28 species of mammals, 68 species of birds, and 14 species of reptiles, with notable animals such as clouded leopards, pangolins, turtle doves, and spiny-bellied frogs.

Since the Mesozoic era, particularly the Paleozoic period, and due to minimal impact from the Quaternary glaciations, Luoguquan has served as a “refuge” for flora and fauna of the Tertiary period. It hosts concentrated remnants or even more ancient species of Tertiary paleo-subtropical plants, as well as numerous rare and endangered animal and plant varieties. According to survey data, the area is home to 12 plant species under the first batch of China’s national key protection list, including Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, Taxus wallichiana var. mairei, Cephalotaxus sinensis, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Phoebe zhennan, Liriodendron chinense, Tetracentron sinense, Zelkova schneideriana, Diplaziopsis cavaleriana, and Monachosorum henryi. There are also 13 nationally protected animal species, such as the forest musk deer, clouded leopard, dhole, blue sheep, Asiatic black bear, black muntjac, pangolin, Lady Amherst’s pheasant, and tiger. Additionally, eight provincially protected animal species include wild boar and masked palm civets.