Shiwangping Stone Forest

　　The karst landforms of Shiwangping are highly distinctive. Over millions of years, the wonders crafted by nature have created breathtaking, timeless masterpieces. Bizarre peaks and rocks take on countless forms, with naturally formed scenic spots such as Crocodile Mouth, Lovers’ Peak, Seal, Phoenix Claw, Stone Turtle, Stone Bell, Stone Pagoda, Stone Figure, Stone Fish, and Stone Fist... There are also lush, flat meadows; towering cliffs; and the many wonders shaped by skilled hands. In the dense woods, you’ll find rare plants that are hard to come by elsewhere.

　　 The Origin of Shiwangping:

　　 Legend has it that the Dragon King of the East Sea invited the Jade Emperor to a banquet in his underwater palace. The Jade Emperor returned drunk and forgot to take back his golden seal. This was the first forgetfulness. The Dragon King then ordered the divine turtle to “carry the seal back,” but the turtle misheard it as “drag the seal back.” So it dragged the seal along. Being a creature that carries, not drags, the turtle became exhausted and even forgot the way back to heaven. This was the second forgetfulness.

　　 When the Jade Emperor sobered up and found the golden seal missing, he suspected someone had stolen it and ordered the Heavenly King Holding the Pagoda to descend to the mortal realm to search for it. His decree was: “Whoever possesses the golden seal shall be put to death without exception.” The Heavenly King arrived to find an immortal pointing the way to the lost turtle dragging the seal. He immediately hurled his divine pagoda, instantly turning the turtle and the immortal into stone. In his haste, however, he forgot that neither the golden seal nor the divine pagoda were living beings—and they too turned to stone. This was the third forgetfulness.

　　 Thus, the place came to be known as “Three Forgetfulness Plain.” Over time, later generations forgot its true name and began calling it “Shiwangping” (Mountain King Plain). Today, three relic landscapes—the Divine Turtle Dragging the Seal, the Immortal Pointing the Way, and the Heavenly King’s Pagoda—along with the Gate to Heaven Road, can still be found and explored.

　　 Covering an area of 524 acres, Shiwangping Ecological Stone Forest is currently the largest and most distinctive ecological stone forest discovered in China. The stone forest features a rugged beauty, intergrown with various uniquely shaped trees and vines, forming a series of natural bonsai. Majestic and wildly varied in form, it stirs endless imagination and captivates visitors, making them linger without wanting to leave.