Hongshilin National Geopark is located in Hongshilin Town, Guzhang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It lies in the southwest of Furong Town in Xiangxi and is adjacent to the Furong Town Scenic Area. The scenic area is currently a National 4A-level Tourist Attraction. It is China's only red carbonate rock forest landscape and also a globally rare Ordovician red stone forest.
The total area of the scenic area is about 20 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 5 square kilometers. It is mainly characterized by its unique red stone forest landforms, ancient biological fossil remains, and rich Tujia folk culture. The red stone forest rock layers in the park were formed about 450 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. Because the iron elements contained in the rocks oxidized, they present varying shades of red and purplish red, and under different lighting conditions they display diverse color changes. It is known as "Red Stone Forest, a wonder of the world." The supporting facilities in the scenic area are well developed. The visitor service center has a building area of about 1,200 square meters, and the parking lot can accommodate about 500 motor vehicles, providing convenient touring services for visitors.
Historical Culture
The geological history of Hongshilin National Geopark can be traced back to the Ordovician Period about 450 million years ago, when the region was a vast ocean and large amounts of carbonate rocks were deposited. Through long periods of crustal movement, water erosion, weathering and dissolution, and other geological processes, today's stone forest landform was formed. The park preserves abundant ancient biological fossils, such as trilobites and sea lily stems. These fossils are important physical evidence for studying the ancient marine ecological environment and biological evolution, and have extremely high scientific research value.
Guzhang County, where the scenic area is located, is a Tujia settlement and has long nurtured a profound Tujia folk culture. The local Tujia people have lived and multiplied around the red stone forest, forming folk activities represented by the "Sheba Festival," "Crying Marriage," and "Hand-waving Dance," as well as a food culture featuring cured meat, glutinous rice cakes, and sour fish. During the development of the scenic area, attention has been paid to protecting and inheriting folk culture. By setting up folk culture exhibition areas and holding folk activities, visitors can feel the unique cultural charm of the Tujia people while enjoying the geological wonders.
Main Attractions
Hongshilin Core Scenic Area
The Hongshilin Core Scenic Area is the core touring area of the park, covering 5 square kilometers, and concentratedly displays the typical landforms of the red stone forest. The stone forest in the area has various shapes: some are like pillars, bamboo shoots, or swords, and some resemble animals, people, or objects, with vivid and lifelike forms. Among them, the "Number One Wonder in the World" stone peak is about 30 meters high, with a base diameter of about 15 meters, and is one of the most representative landscapes in the core scenic area. The scenic area also contains several natural karst caves, such as "Guanyin Cave" and "Tongtian Cave." The stalactites and stalagmites inside the caves are well developed and complement the red stone forest landscape. In addition, a large number of Ordovician ancient biological fossils are preserved in the core scenic area. Visitors can observe fossil remains such as trilobites and sea lily stems in designated areas, intuitively experiencing the traces of life from the ancient ocean.
Youshui Gallery
The Youshui Gallery is located on the west side of Hongshilin National Geopark. It is a natural landscape belt formed by the Youshui River within the scenic area, with a total length of about 10 kilometers. The water of the Youshui River is clear, and the mountains on both banks are layered. The red stone forest and green vegetation contrast beautifully with each other, forming a picturesque landscape of mountains and rivers. Visitors can take a cruise along the Youshui River to enjoy the stone forests, gorges, villages, and other landscapes on both banks, experiencing the pleasant feeling of "the boat traveling in the water, and people sitting in a painting." The one-way cruise route is about 5 kilometers, with a sailing time of about 40 minutes. Several viewing platforms are set up along the way, making it convenient for visitors to stop for sightseeing and take photos.
Furong Town
About 10 kilometers from Hongshilin National Geopark, it is an ancient town with more than 2,000 years of history. It is also the capital of the early Xiangzhou Tujia chieftain dynasty, carrying the glorious historical origin of the 818-year Tujia chieftain dynasty. Furong Town is a settlement of the Tujia people, with a high proportion of Tujia population. Tujia cultural characteristics are distinctive, such as the Xizhou Copper Pillar, which is regarded as a sacred object and is an important document for studying the ancient history of the Tujia people.
Recommended Tour Route：
The recommended tour route for Hongshilin National Geopark is mainly a "one-day tour." The specific itinerary is as follows: arrive at the scenic area visitor service center at 9:00 a.m., handle tickets, and take the sightseeing bus to the Hongshilin Core Scenic Area (about 10 minutes by bus). After entering the core scenic area, tour along the "geological science popularization route," visiting in turn the "Number One Wonder in the World" stone peak, the ancient biological fossil area, Guanyin Cave, and other attractions. The whole journey takes about 2 hours. At 12:00 noon, go to a Tujia specialty restaurant in the scenic area for lunch and taste local delicacies such as cured meat, sour fish, and glutinous rice cakes. At 13:30 p.m., take a cruise to tour the Youshui Gallery and enjoy the mountain and water scenery on both banks. The sailing time is about 40 minutes. At 15:00 p.m., go to the Furong Town Scenic Area and visit landscapes such as the stilted buildings and waterfall in Furong Town. At 17:00 p.m., end the itinerary and return from Furong Town or the Hongshilin Scenic Area. This route takes into account geological landscapes, natural mountains and rivers, and folk culture. The itinerary is compact but not rushed, and is suitable for most visitors.
Tour Suggestions：
The best time to visit is spring and autumn (March-May, September-November). At this time, the temperature is suitable (15-25°C), there is less precipitation, and there is sufficient sunlight, which is conducive to viewing the color changes of the red stone forest.
Most of the walking trails in the scenic area are stone-step paths, and some sections are relatively steep. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes, and avoid high heels or slippers.
When touring the core scenic area, it is recommended to carry drinking water and a small amount of snacks. There are 3 rest areas and 2 small shops in the scenic area where supplies can be replenished.
For the Youshui Gallery cruise, you need to line up at the dock to buy tickets 15 minutes in advance. During peak seasons (holidays and weekends), there are many visitors, so it is recommended to take the boat during off-peak times.
If you want to deeply experience Tujia culture, you can choose to stay overnight in a Tujia village around the scenic area, participate in local folk activities such as the "Sheba Festival" and "Hand-waving Dance," and feel the quiet atmosphere of the stone forest at night.
There are geological science popularization explanation boards in the scenic area. It is recommended to tour with a guide to gain an in-depth understanding of the formation history and geological knowledge of the stone forest.
Precautions：
The red stone forest in the scenic area is a precious geological relic. Climbing, carving, or knocking on the rocks is strictly prohibited. Violators will face a fine of 200-2,000 yuan, and those with serious circumstances will bear legal responsibility.
Some areas of the core scenic area are not fully developed and are marked with "No Entry" signs. Visitors must comply with the scenic area regulations and must not enter unopened areas without authorization, so as to avoid safety accidents such as getting lost or falling.
There are many showers in the Xiangxi area. When touring, it is recommended to carry an umbrella or raincoat, avoid walking in mountainous areas on rainy days, and prevent slipping. In summer (June-August), the temperature is relatively high (up to above 35°C), so sun protection measures are needed, and items such as sunscreen and sun hats should be carried.
Open flames are prohibited in the scenic area. Smoking and open-air cooking are strictly prohibited. There are 8 fire emergency points in the scenic area.
Respect local Tujia folk customs. When entering villages, follow the guidance of villagers, do not touch sacrificial items at will, and abide by activity rules when participating in folk activities.
Mobile phone signal is weak in some sections of the scenic area. It is recommended to keep in contact with companions and avoid acting alone. The visitor service center provides luggage storage services, so valuable items can be stored there before touring lightly.
Transportation：
Self-driving: Departing from Zhangjiajie city area, drive along the Zhanghua Expressway and Guyang Expressway. The total distance is about 150 kilometers, and the drive takes about 2.5 hours. The parking lot charging standards in the scenic area are 10 yuan/day for small vehicles and 20 yuan/day for large vehicles.
Public transportation: Take a bus from Jishou City North Bus Station to Guzhang County. After arriving at Guzhang County Bus Terminal, transfer to a rural bus to Hongshilin Town. After getting off, walk 5 minutes to reach the scenic area visitor service center.
Tourist special line: Tourist special line buses to Hongshilin National Geopark are available in Zhangjiajie city area and at Furong Town Scenic Area. The Zhangjiajie-Hongshilin special line bus runs 2 times a day, and the Furong Town-Hongshilin special line bus runs once an hour.
Opening Hours：
Open all year round. Daily opening hours are 08:00-17:30 (last entry at 16:30). April-October is the peak tourist season, and the scenic area extends its opening to 18:00. In winter, if there is ice and snow, some trails may be temporarily closed, subject to scenic area announcements.
Tickets：
The ticket price is 80 yuan/person in the off-season and 120 yuan/person in the peak season.