Hidden Gem Getaway: East China’s No.1 Stone Forest – A 2-Day Weekend Guide

This year, travel is confined to domestic destinations. As a travel lover, I’ve truly uncovered a lot of hidden gem getaways.

Just recently, I visited East China’s No.1 Stone Forest – Qiandao Lake Cloud Stone Forest (Yunshang Stone Forest). It’s called ‘Cloud Stone Forest’ because the stone formations are often shrouded in mist and clouds, so if you’re after sea-of-clouds shots, staking out here is a sure bet.

Open year-round, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Route 1: Depart from Qiandao Lake Town (Qiandaohu Zhen), take the Shangjiangbu Ferry, then follow the lakeside highway to the scenic area.

Route 2: Via National Highway G320, go through Xin’anjiang Town to Maozhuyuan Pier, then along the lakeside road to the scenic area.

1. Driving is recommended. There’s still a stretch after entering the Qiandao Lake area, which means fewer crowds – perfect for a deep-dive trip or a relaxing getaway.

2. Accommodations are available both up on the mountain and down below. Remember to book in advance.

3. Since it’s a stone forest, some paths can be quite rugged. A pair of comfy sneakers is your best bet.

4. There are thrilling activities like Via Ferrata climbing and canyon giant swings, so ladies – wearing long pants is highly recommended.

The Qiandao Lake Stone Forest Scenic Area covers 20 square kilometers and is one of China’s four great stone forests. The other three are Lunan Stone Forest in Yunnan, Xingwen Stone Forest in Sichuan, and Dahu Stone Forest in Fujian.

It’s located in Qiandao Lake, Chun’an County, west of Hangzhou. Its vast area, grand scale, and fantastical scenery are unmatched in East China, earning it the title ‘East China’s No.1 Stone Forest.’

Before coming, I was surprised to learn that the Jiangnan region (south of the Yangtze) has karst landscapes too. Karst topography, named after the Karst Plateau in Slovenia and known in Chinese as ‘yanrong’ (dissolved rock), is one of China’s five major landform types, mostly found in provinces like Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan. Seeing it here in Jiangnan is truly unique.

Driving up the winding mountain road, the scenery is pretty great too.

You can park at the scenic area entrance.

There are electric shuttle cars inside to get you around. Lazy folks can take them to some spots, but of course, reaching the mountaintop requires climbing on your own.

Near the entrance area, there’s a pigeon show – four performances daily, with the last one at 3:00 PM. It’s great fun: on command, trained white pigeons fly out of their cages at the sound of a whistle and circle overhead. You can even feed them yourself!

Just inside, Shitang Yingyue (Moon-Reflecting Stone Pond) has some black swans that honk away eagerly – very cute.

A mountain needn’t be high; with immortals it becomes famous. A lake needn’t be deep; with a dragon it becomes sacred.

When your travel companion is a master in ancient-style robes, playing a xiao (vertical flute), you’ll truly understand what ‘immortal aura’ means. So this is also a perfect spot for old-world photo shoots.

Yes, it’s a stone forest, but to be more precise, it’s a stone labyrinth. The jagged rocks are so intricately laid out, they resemble a bagua (trigram) formation.

The Qiandao Lake Stone Forest Scenic Area comprises Lion Mountain and Elephant Back Mountain. The deep gorge between them is breathtaking – literally soul-stirring. Suspended above it is a bridge that seems to float in the clouds, called the ‘Haopapa Nepal Bridge’ (meaning Scary Nepal Bridge). It’s 160 meters long and about 120 meters high. Just looking at it makes your heart wobble.

There’s also a 150-meter glass walkway next to it. Tiptoeing along that transparent path, trembling with each step, and then glancing up at that suspension bridge – your heart pounds like a drum.

Young people come here not just for the views, but for the thrills. Via Ferrata climbing, the Haopapa Nepal Bridge, and the canyon giant swing are must-dos – it’s a whole adventure package! To get onto the bridge, you first have to climb. Safety is top-notch: a coach is right beside you, with handholds, foot pegs, and steel cables. So even total beginners are fine – just summon your courage and go for it. The bridge planks are round logs that look slippery, but once you step on them, they feel steady. With a bit of care, you can walk to the middle and take the swing.

If you’ve never done bungee jumping, this is your chance to get a taste of it too. When you swing, there’s even a loudspeaker announcement, and the glass walkway fills up with onlookers – a lively crowd of rubberneckers.

The swing plunges you into the deep gorge. That weightless drop – it’s a tingly, thrilling rush. Adrenaline spikes instantly, and you’ll want to go again. Several spectators on the glass walkway said they planned to give it a try. Watching just isn’t enough – you’ve got to experience it.

Of course, there’s a landing platform below where your buddy will be lowered down.

After all that excitement, it’s natural to want to walk around and take in the sights.

In a stone forest like this, a vivid imagination is a must.

‘Lion and Elephant Guarding the Gate’ is bizarre and magnificent; ‘Qinyin Cave’ (Melodious Cave) is serene and elegant.

There’s even a rock formation that looks like the four pilgrims from Journey to the West – Monk Xuanzang and his disciples. See if you can spot them all.

The walking trails stretch over ten thousand meters, winding and looping through the rock crevices. It’s easy to end up right back where you started, like a ‘maze’ or a ‘trigram puzzle’ – I felt quite dizzy going around. With so many cracks, ‘One-Line Sky’ slots appear everywhere, though they can be a little unfriendly to those on the heavier side, haha. But that’s exactly the fun of natural terrain: slim folks glide through, while bigger ones squeeze with bated breath.

In summer, it’s a great escape from the heat: cool breezes, babbling streams, and lush tree shade.

In autumn, it bursts with color – ginkgo, goldenrain trees, red maples, and so much more.

The scenic area’s highlights are ‘peculiar rocks, sheer cliffs, ancient paths, and mystical caves.’ Some even call it a ‘natural animal museum’ because the rock shapes resemble so many creatures.

There are pavilions and rest spots tucked among them.

When evening falls and the sun sets, you can explore until dusk.

You can stay downhill. Huazhu (a countryside inn) is quite nice. Nearby, enjoy farm-style cooking and sample the local fish head dishes and bamboo shoots.

You can also try paddleboarding here – it’s a training base as well. Come test your skills!

Just soaking in the Qiandao Lake mountain scenery is a steal. Rise early and you might see egrets gliding by.

Heading up the mountain at sunrise is like stepping into an ink wash painting.

Green moss covers the steps, grass seems to enter through the window. Here one chats with learned friends, and no simple folk drop by. You can play a plain zither, read sacred texts. No jarring music disturbs the peace, no paperwork to weary body and soul.

If you haven’t had your fill after the first day, you can always come back for more – catch the sunrise over the sea of clouds, and marvel at the bizarre rock formations again.

As you walk along, you might suddenly realize your buddy has vanished – only to see their head pop out from the other end of the rocks. It really is a magical maze.

In that moment, your inner child awakens, and you start chasing and playing hide-and-seek.

Nature’s craftsmanship is wondrous. What a mystical mountain! This Qiandao Lake Cloud Stone Forest truly is a masterpiece of creation.