Guang’an Stone Forest

Guang’an Stone Forest

The Guang’an Stone Forest is located at the junction of Guang’an District, Linshui County, and Huaying City, southwest of Gaodeng Mountain, covering an area of about 10 square kilometers. It possesses a grandeur infused with wonder, a wonder imbued with beauty, and a beauty that holds treasures. Its magnificence, uniqueness, and preciousness are unparalleled among other stone forest landscapes in China. It is truly a natural gem and a masterpiece of nature.

The Guang’an Stone Forest features countless bizarre stone pillars and peaks. Situated over 1,600 meters above sea level in the high mountains, the forest lies adjacent to the ancient Gaodeng Temple. Setting aside the myth-laden lore of the Old Dragon Oil for now, just gazing upon the vast expanse of the stone forest sprawling across the southwestern mountainside is enough to stir the soul and transport one to a heavenly realm. A poem praises: “A single peak commands the loftiness of the world, piercing through the mountain and locking in the mist, the splendor of the clouds unmatched; within its embrace, a forest nurtures millennia, revealing delicate beauty amid clusters of shrubs.”

At the summit of the stone forest, the ruins of the “Gaodeng Ancient Temple” still remain, with the remnants of its upper, middle, and lower halls still distinguishable. On the temple gate, an ancient couplet reads: “Buddha attests to the majesty spread across the land of Guang and Lin; those who come here no longer hear the sounds of carts and horses.” Though the origin of this inscription—its year, month, or author—cannot be verified, it vividly reflects the steep and secluded nature of the mountain in those times. From the heights, one can gaze into the distance and take in the panorama of surrounding mountain hues. In the distance, shimmering in contrast and harmony with the “ancient temple,” are the Bi’an and Na stone bamboo shoots, densely clustered and adorned with hanging stalactites.