The Stone Forest in the Water of the Longjiang River

The Stone Forest in the Water of the Longjiang River

The Stone Forest in the Water of the Longjiang River

From Longjiang First Bridge Wharf, take a cruise downstream. About 200 meters west of the Third Bridge, you will enter the section known as the Stone Forest in the Water, which continues all the way to the base of the Yemao Hydropower Station Dam, spanning approximately 8 kilometers.

Along the way, you can disembark on “Screw Island,” where you can play hide-and-seek or enjoy a barbecue break. The riverbanks are home to countless naturally formed rocks of unique shapes and exquisite transparency, all of great aesthetic value. Some of these rocks rise like solitary peaks, reaching heights of 6–9 meters; others stretch broadly, resembling mountain ranges extending 200–300 meters; while still others are small, no larger than a fist, like a chick pecking at food. Regardless of size or height, each forms a distinct shape. With their fine textures and hard quality, these rocks produce a clear, resonant sound when struck, exhibiting extremely high artistic value. Together, they form a unique aquatic stone forest landscape in northwestern Guangxi, comparable to the Stone Forest in Lunan, Yunnan.

The beauty of Yizhou’s water stone forest lies first in its majestic rock formations, which showcase the grandeur of China’s Five Great Mountains, the precipitousness of Mount Kuanglu and Tiantai, the wonder and serenity of Mount Yandang and Mount Emei, the charm of the Twelve Peaks of the Wu Gorge, and the delicate beauty of Guilin’s landscape. Each rocky outcrop offers views from all sides, with peaks arranged in picturesque disorder. Visitors, faced with these miniature replicas embodying the essence of renowned mountains and rivers, will surely marvel at the vast splendor of China’s landscapes. Second is the beauty of its pictographic rocks. The aquatic stone forest features a wide variety of uniquely shaped rocks, such as “The Sacred Turtle Paying Homage,” “The Camel Drinking Water,” and “The Lovers Meeting at the Broken Bridge,” each offering viewers endless interpretive joy. Third is the charm of its delicate, intricate stones. Roughly estimated, there are tens of thousands of these small, exquisite rocks scattered across Screw Island alone within the stone forest area. Years of river erosion have given them the aesthetic qualities of being “slender, wrinkled, perforated, and translucent.” These rocks come in all sizes, each rich with meaning. Fourth is the harmony of stone and water. A boat ride here reveals ever-changing scenery—some stretches resemble the magnificence of the Three Gorges, others mirror the ethereal beauty of Guilin’s mountains and waters, and some areas feel like a mystifying water maze. The Longjiang Small Stone Forest scenic area has become one of Yizhou’s popular tourist destinations during the dry seasons of autumn and winter.