Shijinglin (Stone Forest)

Shijinglin

The Chongzuo Shijinglin Scenic Area is a national-level scenic spot approved by the State Council in 1988 and is also an important part of the Guangxi Huashan Scenic Area.

It is located about 1 kilometer near the administrative center of the municipal government in the southern part of Chongzuo City. The total area of the scenic site is approximately 1,500 mu. The Shijinglin Scenic Area was developed and constructed in 1988 and officially opened to the public in 1991. Numerous classic attractions have been discovered here, including “Third Sister in Contemplation” (also known as “Jade Maiden in Contemplation”), “Pigsy Admiring the Flowers,” “Smooth Sailing,” “Twin Lions Greeting Guests,” “Jade Rabbit Descending to Earth,” “Elephant Trunk Hill,” “The Wise Enjoy Longevity,” “Mandarin Duck Vines,” “Flying Rock,” “Arhat Cave,” and “Immortal’s Cave.”

The Shijinglin Scenic Area features karst topography, characterized by rocks that are “wrinkled, translucent, perforated, and slender.” Due to years of erosion by rain and wind, it has formed a naturally occurring bonsai-like stone forest—hence the name Shijinglin. With its dense clusters of jagged peaks, steep yet graceful landscapes, numerous caves, and a myriad of uniquely shaped rock formations, it has been praised by visitors and experts alike as “rare throughout the nation and foremost in Guangxi.” Every year on the tenth day of the fourth lunar month during the Liangting Song Market, 10,000 to 20,000 people spontaneously gather here for antiphonal singing, showcasing rich ethnic customs.

The subtropical plant landscape within the Shijinglin Scenic Area is quite prominent, with evergreen vegetation and abundant green resources throughout the seasons. It is home to precious plants such as the “Chinese No. 1 Adiantum,” a national first-class protected plant that coexisted with dinosaurs, and the “Dragon Blood Tree,” a national second-class protected plant. There are also many regionally distinctive plants, such as the nine-layer peel (Sterculia nobilis) and various types of orchids. According to incomplete statistics, the scenic area hosts hundreds of varieties of medicinal herbs.

“Mountains come alive with water, and water becomes charming with mountains.” The Shijinglin Scenic Area boasts a harmonious interplay of mountains and water, with streams meandering through the forest. Between the rocky hills, ponds of various sizes are embedded, creating an ambiance full of natural beauty and spirit.