White Stone

White Stone

White Stone is located at the northern foot of the main peak of the eastern Tianshan Mountains, the Kalalike Snow Mountain, about 2 kilometers east of Koumenzi and approximately 70 kilometers from Hami City. It is a tourist area consisting of grassland pastures, pristine forests, and resorts.

Highlights

Amidst the lush green grasslands and dense pine forests stands a massive white rock the size of a reclining ox. Some say it is a “visitor from the heavens.” In the peak of summer, when Hami is hot and dry, this area remains cool and moist, with enchanting scenery. The verdant meadows, towering pines, vast alpine flowers, and the unique wooden cabins of the herders all captivate visitors from both China and abroad.

The White Stone Scenic Area not only showcases distinctive natural landscapes with its unique high-altitude grasslands but also boasts a long history and beautiful, mystical legends. The combination of these elements adds a layer of mystery to the already stunning natural scenery, making it highly captivating. The White Stone Scenic Area consists of five sightseeing zones: Hanqigou, Songshutang, Mingsha Mountain, White Stone, and Tianshan Temple, covering a total area of 100 square kilometers. As a result, visitors to White Stone can enjoy snow-capped mountains, flowing streams, forests, grasslands, blooming flowers, and ever-changing weather—sunshine and rain, morning and evening—all within one location. The scenery varies endlessly with the seasons, and the tranquil environment and pleasant climate make it an ideal destination.

Endless vast grasslands, lush green grass, wildflowers blooming in competition, flocks of sheep drifting like clouds of cotton, and yurts dotting the pine forests. Hospitable Kazakh herders offer bowls of milk tea and butter, while the melodious sounds of the dombra create a serene summer retreat.

The White Stone Scenic Area is also home to many ancient temples and cultural heritage sites. Ancient temple ruins include the Tianshan Temple (also known as the Guan Yu Temple), and cultural relics include the Tianshan Tang Stele, located about thirty steps east of the Tianshan Temple. Other sites include the Han Dynasty Renshang Stele and pottery kiln ruins in Songshutang. Large-scale smelting ruins complement the Tianshan Tang Stele, echoing the phrase, “Having endured millennia of ice and snow, here lie Han steles and Tang tablets.”

About ten kilometers from White Stone, along the Liutiao River, lies the magical Mingsha Mountain, which emerges wonderfully across a vast expanse of emerald grassland. It is one of only four singing sand dunes in China, renowned for being the most well-preserved, producing the best sounds, and surrounded by beautiful legendary myths. (The four singing sand dunes are: Hami Mingsha Mountain, Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain, Ningxia Shapotou, and Inner Mongolia Xiangshawan.)　

Hami City, Xinjiang