The Keshiketeng Stone Array Scenic Area is located in the northeastern part of Keshiketeng Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia. It is one of the nine zones of the Keshiketeng Global Geopark and features remnants of the Quaternary glacial period. This unique granite landform landscape is the only one of its kind in the world and is hailed as a geological marvel. Currently, the scenic area comprises five core zones: the Grassland Stone Array, Grassland Sky Pillar, Grassland Kunpeng, Grassland Stone City, and Grassland Stone Fortress. Major attractions include the Moon Castle, Riding the Waves, Nine Fairies, Lingzhi Peak, Balanced Rock, Three Brothers’ Oath, Tethering Post, Grassland Kunpeng, and Flying Rock. Backed by endless birch forests, the craggy and diverse stone formations resemble ancient pagodas and castles, or lifelike birds and beasts, all naturally formed and breathtakingly exquisite. From a distance, the array looks like an ancient
fortress rising abruptly from the ground, rugged and steep, weathered and time-worn. Up close, the formations take on myriad shapes—like towers, bamboo shoots, humans, or animals—seemingly ready to step forward or move closer, as if meticulously carved by human hands, leaving visitors in awe of nature’s extraordinary craftsmanship. The Keshiketeng Stone Array boasts overlapping peaks, boundless green fields, lush birch woods, birdsong all around, and sightings of roe deer and other wildlife, creating a picturesque scene crafted by nature over hundreds of millions of years.
Honored Achievement: Chifeng’s First 5A-Level Attraction
On October 29, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism held a grand award ceremony in Beijing for newly promoted 5A-level scenic areas in 2018. The Keshiketeng Stone Array Scenic Area was officially elevated to national 5A status, claiming the highest honor in China’s tourism industry. This marked the first time the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued 5A designations since its establishment. As a result, the Keshiketeng Stone Array became Chifeng City’s first and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region’s fifth national 5A-level tourist attraction, signifying a major leap in delivering high-standard tourism services.
Quality Upgrade: Renewed “Hard Power”
In 2015, guided by the “Three-Year Action Plan for Creating Brand Tourist Attractions in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,” the goal of elevating the Keshiketeng Stone Array to a national 5A-level scenic area was set. Leaders at all levels attached great importance to this initiative, with strong support and assistance provided by the regional and Chifeng tourism commissions in terms of project funding, planning, and professional guidance. Notably, on July 25, 2016, Li Jinzao, then head of the National Tourism Administration, personally visited the Keshiketeng Stone Array for research and provided clear directives that contributed to the successful creation of the attraction.
The Keshiketeng Cultural Tourism Industry Development Co., Ltd. was the main entity behind the Keshiketeng Stone Array’s bid for 5A status. It also manages several other premium scenic spots in the banner—including the Ulan Butong Area, Baiyin Aobao Area, Huamugou Area, and Dalinur Lake Area. According to the 5A upgrade plan, a new 4,180-square-meter west gate visitor center and a 47,000-square-meter ecological parking lot were constructed. The south gate visitor center was renovated, and the south gate parking lot was beautified and landscaped. Special walking trails were enhanced based on the area’s features and terrain, with 10,415 square meters of flagstone paths refurbished and 5,076 square meters of wooden boardwalks and platforms newly built to ensure smooth, comfortable, and scenic pathways. Rest seats and trash bins were thoughtfully placed along the trails, with 200 new trash bins and
50 additional rest seats installed to further improve visitor comfort. Five 3A-level tourist toilets, each with a floor area of 126 square meters, were built. These toilets feature exteriors that blend with the surroundings, fully equipped and hygienic interiors, and a cultural ambiance. In terms of signage, the Keshiketeng Stone Array added 92 new signs, including overview maps, guide maps, attraction information plaques, and warning signs. Smart tourism infrastructure was also significantly expanded. The area now has a fully operational monitoring system, command center, ticketing system, vehicle tracking and dispatch system, parking management system, and multimedia information release system, achieving full Wi-Fi coverage. Six uniquely designed visitor stations were built to cater to shopping and leisure needs. Six resort villas were renovated, dining areas were established in strategic locations, and a performance square was added for regular ethnic cultural shows. To protect the surrounding environment and expand development potential, infrastructure around the scenic area was strengthened. A new outer ring road connecting the west gate to the south gate was built, linking the Dada Line and Re’ao Line. Along these routes, 19 new traffic signs were installed to guide tourists to the scenic area with information on direction and distance. Over four years, a total investment of 360 million yuan was made, completing more than 200 projects and over 1,000 individual improvements.
Visitor-Centric Approach: Enhanced “Soft Power”
Excellence in service is an ongoing journey, and the Keshiketeng Stone Array continues to elevate its comprehensive service standards. The visitor center includes facilities such as a medical room, postal service, mobile phone charging station, nursing room, and cinema, along with special aids like wheelchairs, crutches, and strollers. Barrier-free access is provided throughout the scenic area, and all toilets include family restrooms for those requiring assistance. To better serve visitors from all regions, the signage system and official website support five languages: Chinese, Mongolian, English, Korean, and others. The website also offers functions such as inquiries, bookings, payments, and virtual tours. Through smart tourism initiatives, visitors can access comprehensive information about the stone array, make reservations and payments from home, and receive real-time updates and assistance during their trip. For the management, smart systems help reduce operational costs. Targeted data analysis, safety monitoring, and feedback mechanisms provide insights into visitor needs and suggestions, supporting informed decision-making. In terms of management, the scenic area has improved its organizational structure and regulations, while expert-led training programs have enhanced staff skills and service awareness, elevating overall management and service quality.
Striving Forward: Building the Keshiketeng Stone Array’s Prestigious Brand
Achieving 5A status is not the end but a higher starting point. Keshiketeng Cultural Tourism Industry Development Co., Ltd. plans to further develop cultural and interactive experiences such as the Stone Array Museum, craft workshops, and arenas. The company will also enhance food, lodging, and tourism amenities, enrich the visitor experience, highlight cultural elements, and shift from a ticket-based revenue model to diversified income streams. The goal is to transform the Keshiketeng Stone Array into a comprehensive destination for sightseeing, leisure, and vacation.
Leveraging the Brand: Boosting Keshiketeng Tourism
Looking at Keshiketeng Banner’s tourism map, numerous attractions such as the Keshiketeng Stone Array, Ulan Butong Grassland, and Dalinur Lake are scattered across the region, each offering unique charm. Moving forward, the banner will build on the 5A brand of the Keshiketeng Stone Array to develop four premium tourism routes, including the Deep Dream Journey of Keshiketeng and the Shocking Grassland–Geological Wonders Grand Loop. These routes will connect eight other major scenic areas within the banner and extend to high-quality resources in neighboring Xilin Gol League, creating synergy to serve premium source markets in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Heilongjiang-Jilin-Liaoning, and others. Seventeen construction projects across seven categories, involving scenic development, infrastructure, and service facilities, have been planned with a total investment of 13.11 billion yuan.
Tourism is a sunrise industry and a source of happiness. In response to people’s growing desire for a better life and the vision of making Keshiketeng Banner “the top tourism banner in Inner Mongolia,” the area continues to address weaknesses through comprehensive reforms in mindset, culture, policies, and systems. These efforts aim to align the high-quality development of tourism with the real needs of residents and visitors, enhance public wellbeing, and accelerate Keshiketeng Banner’s journey toward high-quality growth. (Keshiketeng Cultural Tourism Industry Development Co., Ltd.)