Shiniuzhai National Geopark

Shiniuzhai National Geopark

Shiniuzhai National Geopark is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national geopark.

Shiniuzhai Geopark is located in the northeastern part of Hunan Province, at the junction of Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces. Covering an area of over 30 square kilometers, the park enjoys convenient transportation, with the Beijing–Hong Kong–Macao Expressway and National Highway 106 running north to south, and provincial and county roads connecting various towns and villages.

Shiniuzhai is a typical area for the Danxia ecosystem and biodiversity. The rolling Danxia hills of Shiniuzhai mostly feature dome-shaped, bull-back-shaped summits, with distinct Danxia spherical weathering landforms that set it apart nationally, qualifying as a national geological heritage landscape. The area above Shiniuzhai offers breathtaking scenery, while the landscape below enchants visitors—it is a world of rocks made up of peculiar stones, odd peaks, and stone caves, all naturally formed with diverse and stunning shapes. The region is also rich in wildlife, including over 52 species such as pangolins and flat-shelled turtles.

Shiniuzhai boasts a rich military fortress culture. Known as the “No. 1 Fortress under Heaven,” Shiniuzhai had fortifications built as early as the Song Dynasty. From the late Yuan Dynasty to the early Ming Dynasty, Tang Kuang led people to establish strongholds here, constructing five military forts. Over 600 years of fortress history, along with 2,000 meters of continuous stone walls and ancient relics such as water fortresses, stone mortars, stone gates, and training grounds, are still clearly visible today.

Shiniuzhai is also a sacred Buddhist site. Temples are densely located both on and below the fortress. Well-preserved temples include the White Robe Temple, Stone Buddha Temple, Cloud Cliff Temple, Jingyan Temple, and Songfeng Temple. These temples house well-maintained ancient architectural complexes, with incense smoke lingering and worshippers coming in an endless stream. The White Robe Temple covers over ten acres, divided into upper and lower sections, and houses three large Buddha statues, Four Heavenly Kings, Eighteen Arhats, and Twenty-Four Devas. It enjoyed great popularity during the Qing Dynasty but later bore traces of time due to wars and changes.

The scenic spots of Shiniuzhai Geopark can be summarized as “one ox, two rabbits, three perilous passes; four bridges, five fortresses, six sky corridors; seven unique rocks, eight temples, and forty-eight endless rock landscapes.” Its highlight lies in seeking fun through thrilling experiences. Currently, the developed attractions in the scenic area include high-altitude plank roads, zip lines, Hero Bridge, cable cars, and slide tracks, providing ideal venues for sightseeing, leisure vacations, eco-camping, and exploration in off-limit zones. The estimated stable annual visitor volume is expected to reach 500,000–800,000, indicating a very promising market prospect.

Admission Ticket

Ticket Price: 118 RMB, includes access to small attractions such as the Waterfront Plank Road, High-Altitude Glass Bridge, Music Glass Plank Road, Beauty Peak Plank Road, and Stone Buddha Temple Plank Road.

Additional paid items in the scenic area: Cable car (uphill 60 RMB, downhill 50 RMB).

Free admission conditions: Children under 1.2 meters in height, seniors aged 60 and above (with valid ID), active-duty military personnel, families of martyrs, tour guides holding a National Tour Guide Certificate (IC card) issued by the National Tourism Administration, and journalists from provincial-level media or above with valid press cards issued by the National Press and Publication Administration and annual inspection.

Half-price ticket conditions: Individuals aged 55–59, and children between 1.2–1.4 meters (including 1.4 meters) in height.

Opening Hours

8:00-16:00

Location

Daping Township, Pingjiang County, Yueyang City, Hunan Province

Suggested Duration

Depending on your chosen route within the scenic area, a visit typically takes around 2–4 hours.

Transportation

Shiniuzhai National Geopark is located at the border of Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces, within the Shiniuzhai Scenic Area in Pingjiang County, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, about 65 kilometers from Changsha.

Source: Yueyang Pingjiang Shiniuzhai National Geopark