Xiangxi Hongshilin National Geopark

In the territory of Guzhang County, Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Xiangxi, there is a geological treasure carved by time-Xiangxi Hongshilin National Geopark. The rocks here have a unique ”Chinese red’ as the main color. After hundreds of millions of years of crustal movement and erosion by flowing water, they have formed a variety of landforms such as peaks, canyons, and caves. They have both the magnificence of Danxia and the wonders of the stone forest. They are known as the ‘First wonder of Wuling’ and ‘The most beautiful red in China.’Stone forest’. ​

1. Basic situation and geological causes​

(1) Geographical location​

Xiangxi Hongshilin National Geopark is located in Hongshilin Town, Guzhang County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan Province, close to the Youshui River, about 26 kilometers from Guzhang County City, about 120 kilometers from Zhangjiajie City, and about 150 kilometers from Phoenix Ancient City. It is located in the middle of the Xiangxi Golden Tourist Route Zhangjiajie—Phoenix Ancient City—Furong Town. The transportation is convenient and can be passed through Zhanghua.The high-speed and ancient red roads have direct access to scenic spots, and they are an important place to connect the core attractions of Western Hunan. ​

(2) Basic overview​

The total area of the park is about 20 square kilometers, and the core scenic area is 5.2 square kilometers. It was approved as a national geopark in 2005 and selected as “China’s Most Beautiful Geopark” in 2013. The red stone forest here was formed in the Cambrian period about 500 million years ago. At that time, it was still a vast ocean, and a large number of carbonate rocks were deposited to form rock formations. Later, after the earth’s crust was lifted and the plates were squeezed, the rock formations gradually exposed to the surface, and then after long-term water erosion, weathering and erosion, the current red stone forest was finally formed.landscape. The main component of its rock is calcium carbonate. Due to the oxidation of the iron contained in it, it exhibits a gradient color from light red to dark red and maroon. It will show different luster with changes in weather (sunny, rainy, morning and evening). It can be called a “stone forest that will change color.” ​

As a Tujia settlement area, the surrounding area of the park still retains a rich Tujia folk culture. Geological wonders and ethnic customs blend here, making the tour experience more layered. ​

2. Core attractions: the red wonders carved over hundreds of millions of years​

(1) Geological landscape: the ingenuity of nature​

1. Youshui Gallery Area​

The Youshui River passes through the park, and the red stone forests along the coast are side by side with the turquoise river, forming a beautiful picture of “red as fire and green as blue”. Take a cruise to visit Youshui, and you can overlook the “Camel Peak”, “First Line of Sky”, “Tianshengqiao” and other landscapes on both sides of the strait: “Camel Peak” consists of three connected red stone peaks, shaped like a camel walking with its head high, with a realistic expression; the ”First line of Sky’ canyon is only 1-2 meters wide,Looking up, it can be seen that the sky is squeezed into a narrow and long “line’. The texture on the rock wall is like a knife, axe and chisel, showing the vicissitudes of geology; the “Tianshengqiao” is a naturally formed stone arch bridge with a span of about 30 meters and a flat deck. Under the bridge is a deep canyon. Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the geological vicissitudes.Uniting the blue waves of the water, feel the natural miracle of ”the passage of heaven’. ​

2. Core stone forest area​

The core area is the essence of the red stone Forest, divided into “underwater maze”, “sinkhole Canyon”, “Imperial Crown” and other attractions. ​

• Underwater maze: Dense red stone peaks criss-cross each other, forming a maze-like passage. The height of the stone peaks ranges from a few meters to tens of meters. Some of the stone peaks still retain fossils of Cambrian marine life (such as fossils of trilobites), as if it is a ‘solidified underwater world”. Tourists walk through it.Sometimes you need to bend over to cross the narrow road, and sometimes you can climb high to look at the panoramic view, full of fun to explore. ​

• Sinkhole Canyon: A circular sinkhole with a diameter of about 100 meters. The wall of the pit is composed of red rock formations. Dense shrubs and vines grow at the bottom of the pit. Sunlight shines down from the mouth of the pit, forming light and dark on the rock wall. Staggered light and shadow, like a secret realm. ​

• Imperial crown: The most representative stone peak in the area, with a round top and layers of rock formations, is shaped like the crown of an ancient emperor. It is magnificent and is a must-see for tourists to take pictures and check in. ​

3. Cave landscape: the red secret Realm underground​

There are many natural caves distributed in the park, of which “Hongsha Cave” is the most famous. The stalactites and stalagmites in the cave show warm colors such as red and orange due to their iron oxide content, which contrasts sharply with the off-white color of ordinary caves. The landscapes such as the “Dragon Palace Treasure Hall” and “Stone Curtain Waterfall” in the cave are lifelike. Under the light, the red stalactites glow with a warm luster, as if they are in an underground palace, mysterious and dreamy. ​

(2) Cultural landscape: the imprint of the customs of the Tujia people​

1. Ancient Village of Hongshilin Town​

The Hongshilin Town around the park retains the traditional Tujia villages, and bluestone slab road, hanging foot buildings, and old mills can be seen everywhere. The villagers are dressed in Tujia costumes and are warm and hospitable. Visitors can walk into the farmhouse to experience activities such as playing ciba, weaving homespun cloth, and learning to sing Tujia folk songs. They can also taste local delicacies such as “Youshui fish”, “Bacon stew with ferns”, and “sour tofu soup” to feel the life atmosphere of the Tujia people. ​

2. Folk art exhibition​

Every holiday (such as the Tujia ‘Sheba Festival” and ‘Autumn Festival’”, the scenic area will hold folk performances: the Tujia ‘Maugus Dance’ (primitive sacrificial dance, dancers wearing thatch, imitating the ancestral work scene), ‘wave dance’ (collective dance, stretching movements, accompanied by crispThe sound of copper bells and drums), as well as traditional folk song performances such as “crying wedding song” and “Konoha Love Song”, allow visitors to immerse themselves in the weight and vitality of Tujia culture. ​

3. Ticket information: Ticket purchase strategies and preferential policies​

(1) Ticket price​

• Adult ticket: 148 yuan / person (including the core stone forest area, the round-trip cruise of the Youshui Gallery, and the cave tour, the ticket is valid for 2 days and can be entered twice). ​

• Individual cruise ticket: 60 yuan/person (only including the Youshui Gallery cruise, suitable for tourists who only want to experience water sightseeing). ​

• Sightseeing bus: 20 yuan / person (you need to take a sightseeing bus from the entrance of the scenic area to the core stone forest area, about 30 minutes walk, it is recommended to buy). ​

(2) Preferential policies​

1. Ticket-free people: children under 1.2 meters, the elderly aged 65 and above (with ID card), the disabled (with disability card), active-duty soldiers (with officer card /soldier card), and tour guides (with tour guide card) are exempt from scenic tickets (sightseeing buses and cruise ships need to be purchased separately). ​

2. Half-price people: children aged 1.2-1.4 meters, the elderly aged 60-64 (with ID card), and full-time students with bachelor’s degree or below (with student ID card) can enjoy a half-price discount on entrance tickets (74 yuan /person). ​

3. Special benefits: Fresh college entrance examination students in 2025 can get free entrance tickets (including sightseeing buses) for scenic spots with their admission certificates, and accompanying parents (limited to 2 people) can enjoy a 20% discount on entrance tickets (118 yuan / person). ​

(3) Ticket purchase channels​

It is recommended to purchase tickets 1 day in advance through the official account of the scenic area “Xiangxi Hongshilin” or Ctrip, Meituan and other platforms, you can enjoy a discount of 10-20 yuan; you can also purchase tickets at the window of the Scenic area Visitor Center (support cash, scan code payment), on-site ticket purchase can receive a scenic guide map (including geologyLandscape commentary). ​

4. Precautions for visiting: Safety and experience tips​

(1) Safety protection: responding to geological and weather characteristics​

1. Non-slip and sunprotection: There are many stone steps in the Shilin area, some sections of the road are steep and the rock surface is smooth (especially on rainy days). It is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes or hiking shoes and avoid high heels; Scenic spots have strong ultraviolet rays, and you need to bring sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses on sunny days. Take sun protection measures. ​

2. Cave tour: The cave is humid and the road is slippery. You need to stabilize the guardrail, follow the guidance of your guide, and do not touch the stalactites (avoid grease affecting its growth); the temperature in the cave is low (about 18℃), and you can bring a thin jacket for summer tours. ​

3. Water safety: When taking a shallow-water cruise, you need to wear a life jacket. Do not walk around or lean on the railings at will on the boat. Children need to be taken care of by adults throughout the process. ​

(2) Tour planning: reasonable arrangement of time and route​

1. Recommended duration: The scenic area is large, it is recommended to reserve 4-5 hours for the tour. Recommended route: Visitor center→Take a sightseeing bus to the core stone forest → visit the “Underwater maze” and “Imperial Crown” →Walk to the cave →Take a cruise to visit the Youshui Gallery →return to the visitor center. ​

2. Peak travel: There are more tourists on holidays (such as May 1st and National Day). It is recommended to enter the park before 8:30 in the morning to avoid the peak flow of people from 10:00 to 14:00. At this time, the light is soft and it is more suitable for shooting the red stone forest (the red color of the rocks is more vivid in the morning light). ​

3. Tour guide service: The scenic area provides professional geological tour guides (100 yuan / group, limited to 10 people or less). It is recommended to rent a tour guide service to gain an in-depth understanding of the geological genesis and fossil stories of the redstone Forest and enhance the knowledge of the tour. ​

(3) Civilized tourism and environmental protection​

1. Protect the geological landscape: do not climb or portray rocks, and do not pick up fossils or rock specimens at will (the fossils in the scenic area are protected by law); do not step on vegetation at will to avoid damaging the ecological environment. ​

2. Respect for folkcustoms: When entering a Tujia village, you need to respect local customs. If you encounter “blocking wine”, you can express courtesy by tasting rice wine (non-drinkers can refuse with a smile); before filming villagers or folk activities, you need to obtain consent. ​

3. Garbage disposal: There are fewer trash cans in the scenic area. It is recommended to carry garbage bags with you to take the garbage out of the scenic area; it is forbidden to discard garbage in the Youshui Basin to protect water resources. ​

Xiangxi Hongshilin National Geopark is a “geological textbook” of natural evolution over hundreds of millions of years and a “living museum” of Tujia culture. Here, you can touch the imprint of the seabed 500 million years ago, admire the collision of red rocks with clear water and blue sky, and feel the enthusiasm and simplicity of ethnic minorities. Whether it is a geological enthusiast, a photography enthusiast, a parent-child family, or a cultural traveler, they can find their own unique experience here and leave unforgettable “red memories”.