Arshihaty Stone Array Tourist Area

The Arshihaty Stone Array Tourist Area is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Arshihaty Granite Forest Scenic Area is situated in the northeastern part of Hexigten Banner, on the Beidashan Mountain about 40 kilometers from the highest peak of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Huanggang Peak. The national AAAA-level scenic spot "Arshihaty" means "majestic rocks" in Mongolian. The scenic area spans 5.5 kilometers from north to south and 3 kilometers from east to west, covering an area of about 15 square kilometers, with an average elevation of around 1,700 meters.

As the Arshihaty Stone Forest Scenic Area experiences rapid and healthy development, it has earned numerous honors for its outstanding performance in various areas—including being named an Outstanding Tourism Destination in China and a National Pilot Unit for Eco-Tourism Service Standardization. It has successfully established the tourism brand "Grassland and Water Towns, Northern Stone Forest," becoming a renowned attraction in Inner Mongolia.

Although both the Arshihaty Granite Forest and Yunnan’s Stone Forest are called “stone forests,” their formation processes differ, as do their shapes. The stones in Yunnan’s Stone Forest have vertical textures, resembling carvings from knives and axes, while those in the Arshihaty Stone Forest have horizontal layers, stacked like thousand-layer cakes. The Arshihaty Stone Forest is also known as an Ice Stone Forest. It is a rare and globally representative landform in terms of shape and origin, making it a unique geological wonder in the world.

Looking around, dense virgin birch forests thrive among the Arshihaty Stone Forest formations, where roe deer and other wild animals leisurely roam. The grasslands are dotted with colorful wildflowers, fluttering butterflies, and buzzing bees, adding warmth and charm to the towering, rugged stone forest. In the distance, across the flat and expansive grasslands, yurts and grazing herds of cattle and sheep appear to float like dots on a sea of green.

The Arshihaty Stone Forest Scenic Area consists of four core zones. The first zone is the largest in the Arshihaty Stone Forest, encompassing the beauty, spirit, form, and elegance of the stone forest, making it the most representative area. Major sights include Moon Castle, Fish Tail Tower, General’s Bed, and Balanced Rock. The second zone features highlights such as Horse-Tying Post and Three Brothers’ Pledge. The third zone includes key attractions like Sword-Testing Rock and Kunpeng Descending onto the Grassland—where the mythical bird spreads its wings over nine thousand miles but chooses to dwell on the grassland, forming a picturesque scene alongside the blue sky and open fields.

The Arshihaty Stone Forest Scenic Area lies at the intersection of alpine meadow grasslands and pristine birch forests, boasting lush vegetation and rich plant resources that vary in beauty with the seasons, creating ever-changing scenery. The Arshihaty Stone Forest presents distinct views in all four seasons: blooming mountain flowers and busy butterflies in spring, cool and pleasant weather with birdsong and fragrant blooms in summer, crimson maple leaves and vibrant forests in autumn, and snow-blanketed mountains stretching into the distance in winter.

Further Reading:

· Batch 34 of National 5A-Level Tourist Attractions (October 2018)