Sanqu Stone Forest

　　The area features karst limestone landscapes as its main attraction, integrating spectacular stone forests, dramatic gorges, and pristine mountain forests. Unlike the mature karst landforms seen in Yunnan’s Stone Forest, Sanqu’s karst formations are young, mainly composed of peak clusters with micro-landforms such as stone buds and karren. It is also a vast ancient reef from the Late Ordovician period (440 million years ago), making it an important site for studying the Paleozoic geology of South China. The value of Sanqu Stone Forest lies in the rare combination of a biological reef and stunning karst topography. Typical karst landforms have created a surreal, ever-changing labyrinth of stone pillars, where karren and stone buds hidden among green vines present breathtaking views. Through geological evolution, it has formed classic landforms such as Castle Stone Forest, Tianjing Stone Forest (a sinkhole), Xiaogushan Karst Depression, Wisteria Gorge, and Immortal Cave. These landforms resemble various animal shapes, castles, corridors, natural bridges, and other unique structures, collectively forming a distinctive stone forest. Recognized by geologists worldwide as a “rare geological and geomorphological landscape,” it has also earned titles such as “the world’s largest natural bonsai,” “the world’s largest zoo of iconic rock formations,” and “the finest scenery in the southeast, a unique wonder of southern China.” On April 25, 2013, the Sanqu Stone Forest was rated as a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction by the National Tourism Attractions Quality Rating Committee. It currently offers two experiential activities: a slide and a 5D cinema.

　　The unique geological backdrop of Sanqu Mountain has nurtured a rich array of cultural landscapes, including poems by literati throughout the ages and legends passed down by folk artists. The "Sui Annals" recorded: “In the past, floods burst forth from the mountaintop, dividing this mountain into three paths, hence the name Sanqu (Three Paths).” Sanqu Mountain has a long history and profound cultural significance. The Tang Dynasty's "Yuanhe Junxian Zhi" states: “The state has Sanqu Mountain, hence the name,” and documents the historical fact that Doulu Gong built a city and named it “Quzhou” after Sanqu Mountain. Later generations refer to Sanqu Mountain as the “Mother Mountain of Quzhou.” According to the preface of the "Shaoshan Mao Clan Genealogy," “Song Dynasty Minister of Works Rang Gong resided in Sanqu,” indicating that Mao Zedong’s ancestral home was in Sanqu. Mao Zedong passed through Quzhou three times and inquired about the origins of Sanqu Mountain on each occasion. Zhao Gao, a renowned Northern Song official, once studied diligently in seclusion at Sanqu Mountain, leaving behind the legendary “Zhao Gong Rock,” which embodies the timeless tale of the “Iron-Faced Censor” and continues to be revered and worshipped by later generations. The Ming Dynasty loyalist Yu Qian wrote the timeless poem "Ode to Lime" during his journey through this region. Poets and scholars from the Tang Dynasty such as Luo Yin, the Song Dynasty figures Yang Wanli, Chen Liang, and Cheng Su, the Yuan Dynasty poets Sa’dula, Zhang Kejiu, and Zhang Yu, the Ming Dynasty philosopher Wang Shouren, and the Qing Dynasty poet Chen Shao all shared deep connections with Sanqu Mountain, leaving behind numerous exquisite poems and verses that continue to be celebrated to this day.

　　Website: http://www.sqsl.cc/ Phone: 0570-5110666

　　Address: Lulikeng Village, Huibu Town. Driving route: 10 km from the Changshan exit of the Hang-Jin-Qu Expressway toward Fangcun, or 5 km from the Fangcun exit of the Huang-Qu-Nan Expressway toward Changshan.