Wuhai City Stone Museum

　　Wuhai City is situated in the middle section of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, bordered by the Helan Mountains and the Ulan Buh Desert to the west, and backed by the Zhuozi Mountain Range to the east. The Yellow River flows through the city, covering a stretch of up to 105 kilometers within Wuhai. The unique geographical features provide abundant high-quality stone resources for local stone collectors. The stones found in Wuhai can generally be divided into three types: Yellow River pebbles, paleontological fossils, and Gobi wind-eroded stones. The Yellow River pebbles in Wuhai are mainly distributed along both banks of the river, with the most abundant and diverse selection found around the picturesque Huyang Island area. These stones are round in shape, feature vivid patterns, and display rich colors. The only downside is that their texture is slightly coarser compared to the Yellow River stones found in Lanzhou.

　　The paleontological fossils in Wuhai can be further classified into petrified wood and animal fossils, mostly discovered in the mountain valleys of Zhuozi Mountain on the eastern side of the river and Wuhu Mountain on the western side. Among them, petrified wood is abundant and of high quality, with some truly rare specimens occasionally found. The longest piece of petrified wood measures an impressive 36 meters, making it the longest of its kind in China. Gobi wind-eroded stones are the most favored type among Wuhai’s stone collectors, with dozens of enthusiasts owning collections numbering in the hundreds or even over a thousand. It has almost become a popular trend. During holidays, it’s common to see groups of stone enthusiasts crossing the Yellow River and traversing the Helan Mountains to venture deep into Alxa to search for these unique stones. Wind-eroded stones are known for their fine texture, toughness, smooth surface, vivid shapes, and peculiar patterns, making them stand out among many beautiful stones. Together, Yellow River pebbles, biological fossils, and Gobi wind-eroded stones form a stunning and fascinating sight in Wuhai—a whimsical world where nature and human interest blend seamlessly.