Xianqiao Stone Forest

Xianqiao Stone Forest

Xianqiao Stone Forest

Xianqiao Stone Forest is located in Fuquan City's northwest 3

2 kilometers from Xianqiao Township, covering an area of about 12 square kilometers.

The stone forest scenic area features around 18 large and small peaks, commonly known as the "Eighteen Clusters." Towering and uniquely shaped rocks abound. There is a local legend titled “The Stone King Reviews His Troops at Xianqiao,” which artfully blends the landscape with folklore. Centered around the “Stone King,” the formations are arranged like an army camp, with troops mustering to cross Xianqiao. Behind the “Forward Outpost Camp” of the stone forest, there are two massive rock pillars standing side by side, called the “Stone Gate.” Passing through the Stone Gate, you’ll find a towering rock, 19 meters high, standing firmly upright, known as the “Stone General.” Behind the Stone General, on Ox Horn Slope, lies the central command of the Stone King’s formation. Numerous stone stalagmites resemble humans and horses, collectively referred to as the “Horse Herding and Camping Ground.” Nearby, there is a tiger-shaped boulder called the “Tiger Pouncing on Prey.” On both sides of the stone path stand two lion-shaped rocks, named the “Two Lions Guarding the Gate.” Further inside is the Stone King’s General Camp, where the “Stone King” atop the mountain commands the “troops” across 18 surrounding peaks, sword in hand, leading charges into battle. On the hillside sits a huge stone pillar resembling a robed “Military Advisor,” devising strategies for the Stone King. Upon entering the second stone gate, a cluster of over ten-meter-tall stone pillars stands like valiant warriors, forming the Stone King’s “Vanguard Camp.” Behind the camp, at Sedan Chair Mountain, there are two massive rocks, one in front and one behind, both over 20 meters tall, known as the “Stone Great King” and the “Stone Second King.” Behind the mountain lies the “Stone King’s Palace,” in front of which an elephant trunk-shaped entrance forms the “Elephant Trunk Palace Gate.” To enter the palace, one must pass through four stone gates, where stone tables, stools, bowls, plates, and beds are all present. Behind the palace is the “Imperial Garden,” filled with stone vegetables and exotic flowers such as stone cabbage, stone cowpeas, stone peonies, and stone peonies—absolutely breathtaking. In front of the stone forest lies a deep ravine spanned by a massive boulder, forming a natural stone bridge. The bridge is about 130 meters high, over 50 meters long, and more than 20 meters wide, standing majestically. A fractured hole in the bridge divides it into a large bridge and a small bridge. The steep cliffs on either side of the ravine are nearly unclimbable. Visitors must ascend 492 stone steps from the bottom of the ravine to reach the mountaintop. Legend has it that when the Stone King was mustering his troops and arranging formations, he was blocked by this deep ravine. Fortunately, a celestial maiden built a bridge to aid his campaign, hence the name “Xianqiao” (Fairy Bridge).

Xianqiao is a settlement of the Miao ethnic group, rich in ethnic culture, with traditional festivals such as the Miao Moonlit Dance Festival, Fish-Catching Festival, and Bullfighting Festival.