White Marble Stone Forest

White Marble Stone Forest

White Marble Stone Forest

The White Marble Stone Forest in Guangling County is situated on the eastern side of Liuleng Mountain’s main peak in the northwestern part of the county.

The White Marble Stone Forest is located on the saddle section at the junction of the eastern side of Liuleng Mountain’s main peak and Yanggao County, at an altitude of 2,175 meters. According to survey data, the stone forest covers a planar area of about 10,000 square meters, with the main body stretching approximately 500 meters from north to south and 100 meters from east to west, and the tallest cluster of landscape pillars reaching around 30 meters. It is reported that this area boasts lush vegetation and abundant resources including trees, plants, animals, marble, and iron ore. Particularly notable is the natural landscape of the White Marble Stone Forest, where the formations vary in shape, are staggered in arrangement, and display a myriad of postures. The most unique aspect of the stone forest is that different scenes can be observed at different times, under varying light conditions, and from different viewpoints — including sights such as “Guanyin Delivering a Child,” “Fisherman Holding the Rudder,” “General Returning Home,” “Immortals Gathering,” “Reluctance to Leave Hometown,” “Toad Awaiting Heavenly Food,” “Golden Rooster Announcing Dawn,” “Flock of Sheep Grazing at Dusk,” and “Penguins.”

Regarding the formation of the stone forest, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences researchers Qian Fang and Chen Anze, along with Shanxi Provincial Department of Land and Resources senior engineer Xu Chaolei and other relevant experts and scholars, have conducted multiple on-site investigations and confirmed that this White Marble Stone Forest was formed 400 million years ago through ancient glacial cutting and cirque weathering, making it “unique to China and rare in the world.” According to records, the region contains remnants of ancient glaciers, which fully substantiates the scientific assertion made by the renowned Chinese geologist Li Siguang in the 1920s regarding “large-scale glacial movements in the Datong area during ancient glacial periods.”

According to surveys by the 217 Geological Team of the Shanxi Provincial Geological Exploration Bureau, the mineral reserve volume of the White Marble Stone Forest is nearly ten million square meters, ranking third in the world. Guangling County is home to China’s famous spring Shenshuitang, the sacred spring temple known as the “Second Hanging Temple,” and the natural scenic area of forests, mountains, and water at Baiyangyu. Among these, the White Marble Stone Forest stands out as a site that uniquely combines scientific research and tourism, giving some idea of its immense value. The White Marble Stone Forest has been incorporated into the county’s tourism development itinerary.

Address: Eastern Side of Liuleng Mountain’s Main Peak, Guangling County, Datong City, Shanxi Province