Xingwen Stone Sea

The reception was terrible. We arrived around 11:00 AM, and the visitor center parking lot was full, so we were told to park near the cave entrance. Once we reached the entrance, there was only one place selling food: the long table banquet. We had to queue up to buy a meal ticket. When it was our turn, the ticket seller was out serving wine or water. Many more people had arrived during that time. When the ticket seller returned, he took everyone else's money, but not ours. He ignored us even though we'd been there first. "Are we just so cute and you're jealous? So you're doing this on purpose?" Forget it, I didn't want to eat; I was already in a bad mood. We had to queue again to get our tickets (I bought them online). There were over a dozen people in line, and the wait was over half an hour. The efficiency was truly inefficient! To enter the cave, you take a boat for 15 yuan, which only lasts a few minutes. It depends on your preference. The cave itself is beautiful. The elevator is just outside the cave entrance, which costs 20 yuan. If you don't take the elevator, you can walk about 20 minutes. The worst part was the sightseeing bus, which cost 20 yuan and only lasted two minutes. Since the attractions are all connected, with no back-and-forth, taking the bus meant missing out on everything. Those who enter the scenic area from the visitor center but don't go into the cave can take a bus back to the starting point. Otherwise, it's really not necessary. The scenic area's service really needs to improve. The order is very chaotic, and there are many people cutting in line. To develop a scenic area, improving the hardware alone is not enough; the software must also keep up.

The Xingwen Stone Sea Scenic Area is vast, so if you're serious about exploring it, I recommend planning at least a day. The area is currently undergoing renovations, so there's more walking available. Key attractions include the Couple Peak, the Stone Sea, the Big Funnel (a cemetery), and the Tianquan Cave. Other scenic spots are also quite beautiful, and a visit to the Geological Museum is a must-see. I highly recommend purchasing a sightseeing bus ticket for a more comprehensive experience. Xingwen Stone Sea is a must-see.

I visited Xingwen Stone Sea on the second day of the Lunar New Year in 2019. The scenic area has a free museum, and adult admission is 80 yuan, with discounts for seniors and children. I recommend purchasing a 50-yuan transportation ticket, which includes a sightseeing bus, elevator, boat tickets, and shuttle bus. First, take the sightseeing bus to each attraction for a self-guided tour, then continue on at designated pick-up and drop-off points to the next attraction. I highly recommend the Big Funnel and Tianquan Cave. After taking the bus to the Big Funnel, it's a three-minute walk to the elevator, which takes you to Tianquan Cave. This route leads directly down from the cave entrance, making it easy and not tiring. The scenery inside the cave is spectacular and colorful, a truly beautiful sight. Finally, I take a boat out of the cave. At the cave entrance, there's a Miao-style long-table restaurant. Set meals for four start at 80 yuan per table. A la carte options are also available. It's quite good and reasonably priced. After dinner, take the shuttle bus back to the scenic area entrance. With the transportation package, the tour lasts about five hours (take the elderly and children with you and walk slowly). Overall, the scenic area is reasonably priced, and the staff and vendors are friendly. Unlike other attractions that are too commercialized, it is worth recommending!

Xingwen Stone Sea, located in Xingwen County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, lies in the transition zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Covering a total area of approximately 156 square kilometers, it is a World Geopark and a National Scenic Area. Its geological remains include Permian geological sections, surface karst topography, tiankengs, caves, speleothems, waterfalls, karst canyons, paleontological fossils, and tempestite deposits. The most famous of these is the tiankeng, the earliest site in China to be discovered and studied.

The scenery is very good, and the various landscapes are very eye-opening, but the service is relatively poor, with various extra charges and unfriendly attitudes.

If you want to come, it is generally recommended

Xingwen Stone Sea is located in Yibin City, Sichuan Province. It is the earliest place in China where tiankeng was discovered and studied.

We went there on May 1st Labor Day. The scenic area has limited capacity and the parking lot is full. We had to park on the roadside in turn. It cost 10 yuan per car. The ticket price was 80 yuan in peak season and 40 yuan in off-season. The sightseeing bus was 50 yuan. We did not buy a sightseeing bus ticket. In fact, we did not need to buy a sightseeing bus ticket. If we bought it, we still had to walk a long way and wait in line for a long time. It was a rip-off. There were food in the scenic area that was not too expensive. Cars parked at the gate and people went out through the cave gate. There were so many people coming out that the sightseeing bus could not catch up, which resulted in a long waiting time. So the sightseeing bus is a rip-off.

I went there during the Qingming Festival, and the place was under repair, so everything was a mess. All of this is understandable. The key point is that at 4 pm, on the road from the scenic area to the parking lot, there were hundreds or thousands of tourists waiting for the bus, and several buses were parked on the side to rest, and there were many elderly people in them. When the bus arrived at the parking lot, the driver of another bus was sitting on the bus with his feet up and playing with his phone. There was no mention of adding more buses during the holidays, and most of the buses in the scenic area were not running. The tourists here had to wait for 20 minutes for a bus to come. If you feel uncomfortable with the crowds, we can help you. If you are a tourist who came here specifically to see this scenic spot, there is no need to come.

The large tiankeng, large cave and karst landform are very unique.

The Shihaidong Township scenic area looks quite simple on a map. The mountain gate is at the bottom left. After entering, to the right are the ticket office and the electric car boarding area. To the left are the surface rock sea, several Miao village buildings, and a museum. Electric car tickets are available for not only electric car rides, but also for the vertical elevator in the cenote and the bus to the cave exit. It's best to buy one.

The blue path on the map is the electric car route. Take the electric car to the first fork in the road, where you'll get off. It's recommended to head right to see Couple Peak, then continue on the electric car to the Miao Village at the final stop. Return to the fork in the road and walk to the "Big Funnel" (not far away).

Couple Peak is not far from where you were dropped off at the fork in the road for the first time.

The inside of Tianquan Cave is quite beautiful. If you have been to Peach Blossom Spring Cave in Youyang, Chongqing or Zhijin Cave in Guizhou, this cave will not be as exquisite, but it is more exquisite than Yuhua Cave in Jiangle, Fujian or Tenglong Cave in Enshi, Hubei.

As luck would have it, we missed the entrance to the Stone Sea Maze while riding the electric car. The Stone Sea Maze is not as majestic as the Kunming Stone Forest and the Yunnan Earth Forest. It is not necessary to go to the Stone Sea Maze after riding the electric car, unless you have a lot of time or are traveling with children.

During the National Day holiday, the queue for the vertical elevator was 40 minutes, but it actually only took ten minutes to walk down.

There is a place to take a boat in the tiankeng, but you can also walk along the road beside it without taking a boat.

After coming out of Tianquan Cave, you need to take a sightseeing bus around the periphery of the scenic area to the gate of the scenic area.

After getting off the bus, go directly to the parking lot. Enter the mountain gate and you can go to see the surface stone sea. There is also a museum next to it with a sand table.

Visitors are allowed to climb the surface rock sea. It's not very large, but certainly not very small either. The scenic area is really small, and a drone can fly from here to both the cenote and the maze. The surface rock sea is quite unique.

This scenic spot, which combines humanities and nature, is even more convenient to reach after the opening of the Yixugu Expressway. The entire tour takes at least 4 hours and is a great value for money.

There are many strange rocks and hanging coffins. It is worth spending a day to explore.

I was passing through on a business trip and decided to give it a try. The scenery at Shihai is stunning, especially the karst caves, which are vast beyond my imagination. It's a truly magnificent display of natural beauty, shaped over tens of thousands of years by nature's uncanny handiwork. There are very few man-made structures, leaving the area quite natural. The tour guide was also quite good. For 50 yuan, he told me that Zhu Bajie's son is called Zhu'erba... It was definitely worth it. There are several restaurants and accommodations near the parking lot, and they're booming. A colleague who used to stay there recommended Ju Fu Xiang. The owner and his family are very friendly, and the pretty, straightforward boss is also quite nice. I ordered a few dishes, and they were delicious. The prices were reasonable, considering it's a scenic spot. I especially recommend the roast chicken. They also offer roast rabbit and roast ribs, but you have to order them in advance. On my second visit, I had to order them hours in advance before I could even eat them. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

1. Without saying too much, the fact that the pit is twice the size of the American "Ali Sibo" which is said to be the largest in the world has already attracted me.

2. Tianquan Cave, cool and magical

2. Miao songs and dances are attractive

The scenery is first-class, but there are too many people trying to trick people into donating money and buying local specialties.

As a travel enthusiast, I have been to many places, including ancient towns of all sizes, and several 5A scenic spots in Sichuan. I think they are just famous and not very fun. But Xingwen Stone Sea is different. Its landscape cannot be described in a few words, nor can its uniqueness be seen in a few photos. It is not well-known and not many people know about it. Only by being there in person can you feel its charm. It would be more fun if you bring a friend with you. It is the best place to fall in love. Staying in the scenic area for two nights, what else in life can compare to this scene? You can also explore the karst cave, which is pitch black... I searched for Sichuan tourist attractions or Chengdu tourism on the Internet, but I didn't see it at the top. The promotion is not strong enough. It would be a pity not to see such a beautiful scenery.

It's quite big, and the curtain can't be fully rotated after a long time. There is a cave at the entrance that is not well developed and it is very scary. It is cold inside. I went in for two kilometers and those people came out immediately after entering. They said that people from Afghanistan dare not go in. They were sweating profusely after entering and coming out.

There are few people and the scenery is good. The cave is great. It is best to find a local tour guide. The cost performance is very high. Monkey Tan must be visited. The stones there are the most beautiful stones in the Stone Sea.

The scenic area is quite good and it is recommended to visit Shunan Bamboo Sea together

Comfortable, it is worth a visit to the tiankeng

The cave does not have too much lighting rendering, so you can see its original appearance

Xiaoyanwan Tiankeng is the earliest tiankeng discovered and studied in my country, also known as the No. 1 Tiankeng in the World.

I went there once in 2009 and it was great.

I highly recommend you go there once.

Luzhou to Xingwen Stone Forest.

It took more than two hours to get from Luzhou to Xingwen County, more than an hour to get from Xingwen County to Shilin, and more than two hours to get from Xingwen to Yibin.

Accommodation near Shilin is really expensive, starting at around 200-300 yuan. I wonder if it's because of the National Day holiday. For budget travelers, it's perfectly possible to make the round trip and stay in the county. However, we chose to stay at an aunt's house, spending 51 nights alone. But not everyone gets to meet such a straightforward aunt.

The food is also expensive. The cheapest tofu rice is 10 yuan per person.

The sightseeing bus costs fifty yuan and it takes only a few minutes. 😂😂😂

There are some bad locals, but I don’t deny there are good ones. After all, I just happened to meet one.

Formed over billions of years, it truly amazes you. The caves are enormous, reminding me of Uncle San's Tomb Raiders. We didn't visit every attraction, but it took us four hours in total. A must-see for this kind of place; you won't regret it. A World Geopark. I recommend visiting the museum beforehand to get a general overview of the Stone Forest's attractions. There are plenty of "guided tours" in the area, but we didn't hire one. It depends on the individual; this kind of abstract art deserves a personal explanation.

The Stone Sea is more worth visiting than the Bamboo Sea, especially the underground caves.

We happily headed straight to the scenic area parking lot, but even before entering, we were misled by the numerous peasant tour guides. They told us the Miao Village Palace was a scam and we should definitely avoid it. There were several people sitting in a dark room asking us to donate money to light lamps, and the farmhouses were just average. They claimed there was no admission fee for walking along the side roads and that we could drive in after hours. These were all lies. The ticket agent explained that we could only park at the farmhouse entrance and were not allowed to drive around freely, as there was surveillance video. We arrived at 3:30 pm and stayed for an hour before regretfully driving to Luzhou for our accommodations. Overall, the surrounding area of the scenic area was dreadful, misleading tourists from afar. The Yibin Tourism Bureau needs further rectification. Upgrading from 4A to 5A isn't going to be easy.

Xingwen Stone Sea in Xingwen County, Yibin City is a World Geopark. It is located in the transition zone between the Shannan Basin in Sichuan and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, forming the Xingwen-style karst landform. In fact, it is a karst landform, not as large and shaped as the Yunnan Stone Forest, but it has the characteristics of Xingwen. The Stone Sea is more than 70 kilometers away from the Shunan Bamboo Sea. After breathing in the coolness and softness of the bamboo sea, you can go here to change the atmosphere of the refined steel tempered by heaven and earth. Only in the contrast can you feel how suitable the softness and masculinity are together.

The scenic area boasts a wealth of karst geological features, with the world's largest funnel, Tianquan Cave, a large surface rock sea, and the world's largest stone tiger being the most prominent attractions. A visit to the scenic area is highly recommended, located 20 kilometers from Xingwen County, a 20-minute drive. Buses run frequently from Yibin to Xingwen. The Shihai area is over 70 kilometers from the Shunan Bamboo Sea, so visitors often plan to visit both areas together. A combined entrance fee to the Xingwen Shihai Scenic Area is 90 yuan. Tianquan Cave, the main feature of the Shihai area, is a karst cave located beneath the world's largest funnel. For those with moderate stamina, it's best to purchase a 40 yuan transportation package. Electric shuttles provide convenient transportation between the various attractions. Although the area is a natural wonder, hiring a guide can provide valuable insights, while exploring on your own will only reveal stone. Accommodation is plentiful outside the scenic area, so unless you're on a purely holiday trip, accommodation is generally unnecessary.

The scenic area, with the exception of the man-made cable-viewing path, is entirely natural, and the beauty of the Stone Sea lies in its natural form. The area is relatively well-developed, with convenient electric vehicles providing shuttles between scenic spots. From a fitness perspective, the distances between attractions are relatively short, allowing for a leisurely stroll if you have the time.

It's much more fun than Shunan Bamboo Sea, and there are more things to see! ~

One weekend, my husband and I decided to visit the nearby Stone Sea. As Yibin natives, how could we not have visited Yibin's second-largest attraction? Even though the Stone Sea doesn't offer any special discounts to residents outside of Xingwen County, the entrance fee and transportation cost 145 yuan. That's 20 yuan more expensive than buying online, but online booking requires a day in advance, so there's no other way.

After entering the scenic spot, you just climb the mountain along the path. The other mountains are not very attractive, except for a mountain called the Source of Life. Haha, you have to go and see it to understand what it is.

In addition, recommended attractions include: the Bai people's hanging coffins, the world's largest loophole, and the caves. Among them, the caves are the most worth seeing. The stalactites and the colorful lights are shining and dazzling.

The snacks in the scenic spot are not expensive, and the cured pork ribs are especially delicious. I kept savoring them until I walked out of the cave. I wanted to buy more, but it was a pity that the exit was too far away and I didn’t have the energy to walk again.

In short, the Stone Sea is worth seeing and it is worth the trip.

It was beyond my expectations, especially for someone who had never seen karst landforms in person. The public services in Shihaidong Township were excellent, and it looked like the infrastructure truly met the requirements for a 5A-level resort. The scenery was exceptional, and it was definitely worth the 80 yuan ticket price. Staying overnight would be even better. I recommend going there as soon as possible, as ticket prices will definitely increase significantly if you wait until it's upgraded to 5A. The Miao restaurant next door is also quite unique, but a bit pricey.

After coming here, I think it is better than Shunan Bamboo Sea, although it is not as famous as it.

The scenery is nice, the tiankeng is naturally formed and worth seeing.

Many years ago, I was invited by local leaders to visit this place on a business trip. To be honest, it was completely unexpected. It was like an underground maze. It was newly developed, so it felt like an adventure. It was very exciting. In addition, the local Miao rice wine was really impressive.

Xingwen Stone Sea





Billions of years ago

anger

Not dead yet?



It’s not a human matter!



A praying mantis

On the rock wall

Spreading wings

Xingwen Stone Sea is amazing, with many strange rocks in the scenic area. It has the world's largest funnel and a beautiful cave.

It's not a very famous tourist attraction, but it is indeed very beautiful and recommended.

The location is a bit far from Chengdu...but it's nice to be able to visit the Bamboo Sea on the way.

If only life could be like the first time we met...

Xingwen Stone Sea is worth a visit, but it is quite far away. It takes more than three hours to drive from Chengdu to Yibin, and another three hours to drive from Yibin to the Stone Sea. But after arriving, I feel that it is worth the trip. Unique landforms can be seen everywhere in the park, especially the large funnel and the large cave, which are very spectacular!

When I saw it from the inn, I thought it was small. But when I climbed to the top of a peak and looked at it again, I saw that it was rolling and with various strange shapes. It is worth seeing.

There is a big gap between the poster and the local feeling. The service attitude of the scenic spot is average. I feel that the exploration cave is good. In my opinion, the only highlight is

The most impressive thing is the cenotes and caves, which make people marvel at the wonders of nature.

You must come, there is no one better scenic spot

The Stone Sea itself is average, not as good as the Stone Forest in Yunnan, but the cenotes and caves are quite good, extremely majestic and spectacular.

The scenery is beautiful and worth a visit. The environment is very good and the local people are very welcoming, but the food is a little expensive.

The scenery is OK. There are several ancient buildings in the village. After entering, I climbed up the mountain and went to the Miao village. However, I was not allowed to take pictures inside. I liked the karst landforms and stones inside! However, when entering the Miao village, I was extorted 60 yuan. Everyone should be careful.

Although it is a tourist attraction in my hometown, but if I don’t play the emotional card, Xingwen is really boring.

The scenery is not particularly spectacular, but it is worth a visit. Don't be fooled by the locals when you go there.

Xingwen Stone Sea, located in Xingwen County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, lies in the transition zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, covering a total area of approximately 156 square kilometers. Limestone is extensively distributed throughout the geopark, forming a unique karst landscape. Its geological remains include: Permian geological sections, surface karst topography, tiankengs, caves, speleothems, waterfalls, karst canyons, paleontological fossils, and tempestite deposits. The most famous of these is the tiankeng, the earliest site in China to be discovered and studied.

The earliest place in China to discover and study tiankeng (a tiankeng), known as the world's first funnel, has a cave at the bottom with a unique "skylight" at the top. Spring water cascades down from this "skylight" like a silver curtain hanging high above, creating a magnificent spectacle. Hence the name "Tianquan Cave."

Xingwen Stone Sea, Sichuan's first World Geopark, National Scenic Area, and National AAAA-level Tourist Area, is located in Yibin, Sichuan Province, the first city on the Yangtze River and the hometown of Wuliangye. It is adjacent to the Shunan Bamboo Sea and has a total area of 156 square kilometers.

The scenery is really good. The cenotes are much more beautiful than the stone shapes outside. There is a different world inside the cave.

It's worth spending a day to see the place slowly. I recommend the transportation bus in the scenic area. At noon, you can have tofu rice next to the elevator on the right side of the cenote. It's 10 yuan per person. The taste is good. You can refill it for free.

My hometown has a unique stone wonder landform, where ethnic minorities gather.

Located 30 kilometers south of Xingwen County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, and encompassing a 15-kilometer radius, this scenic spot boasts the largest tiankeng in the world. Composed of limestone both above and below ground, it comprises three distinct sections: a sea of stone, a stone forest, and karst caves. Its karst topography differs from that of the similarly karst Stone Forest in Yunnan. The scenic area offers excellent amenities, with each group receiving a guide who provides detailed explanations. Electric carts are available between each scenic spot, and food and accommodation are easily accessible at the entrance.

The scenery is beautiful, and each attraction is not far apart, so there is no need to take a sightseeing bus.

The world's first funnel is still very shocking, you can play it on the ground and underground

World Geopark, limestone is widely distributed,

It is a beautiful stone forest with a Yin River inside, which is worth seeing.

As soon as we got off the bus, we ran into a local who offered to be our guide—for a fee, of course. After some haggling, we finally settled on 50 yuan, with the condition that we pay the entrance fee to the provincial area via the small mountain trail (which costs 90 yuan, so we both get what we want). Being on the lookout when out and about is crucial, so we were extra cautious on the trails, keeping a safe distance from the locals and remaining vigilant, watching our backs and sides. Don't harbor any hostile intentions, but be wary. After finally visiting the Tiankeng (the world's largest funnel), we finally headed back to the mainland, where we relaxed. We visited Couple Peak, Leopard Pond, the Hanging Coffins, the Stone Sea Mystery, the Pillars of Life, and some fossils you wouldn't have noticed if the guide hadn't pointed them out. Some were truly remarkable creations of nature, relics dating back millions of years, pictographic natural landscapes, and even, like the Hanging Coffins, still-unsolved mysteries. The entire tour, though brief, was enriching. And thanks to the guide, I was able to take photos as proof of my visit.

Well, I don't think it's that exciting. Student IDs are discounted, while full-time admission is 90 yuan. Karst topography, see the rocks. The Miao village was built later. The guides at the entrance will tell you about grabbing five-colored soil and other things, saying they can bring blessings. Don't believe them, they're just bluffing. You'd be better off burning incense at Mount Emei. (๑• . •๑). Just bring your own water and food. I haven't stayed there, so I don't know what it's like. There are some spots where you can take photos for free, like Couple Peak, but the photos are small and not very clear. The souvenirs are okay, but don't buy umbrellas; they're expensive. The local area has been working hard to develop tourism in recent years, and it's not easy. Facilities and environmental improvements are being made. Transportation is also relatively convenient. Go in the morning and be back by 5 or 6 pm. Staying in Gusong Town, the county seat, is cheaper. You can complete the whole experience in one day; it's rare to leave, and there are cars available within the attraction. There's also an archery game, with prizes for winning. There's an elevator at the Big Funnel for a great view, but I don't think it's worth it.

Xingwen Stone Sea is actually a cave. It is quite cool to enter the cave in summer, and the scenery inside is also quite unique.

The scenery is average, not as good as expected. It was so hot in the summer.

It's okay to go to the primary school to see the typical karst landscape

Yibin is the most worthwhile place to visit. If you have little time and don't want to spend too much money, just go there to eat some yanmian when you arrive in Yibin. The other so-called attractions are just gimmicks. They are not ugly, but they are not very beautiful.

Luzhou, Xingwen, Shilin, also known as Shihaidong Township.

The biggest features are: stone forest, cave, and big funnel.

The Big Funnel is also called Tiankeng, where there is also the cliff where the Red Army jumped off to sacrifice themselves when they were surrounded and suppressed.

You can buy a package ticket online and hire a local guide for 50 yuan to introduce the surface tour. You can see a lot of things on your own and not understand them. You can finish the whole thing in one day, or you can split it into two days, spending the afternoon on the first day exploring the surface and the next day entering the cave.

The temperature inside the cave is completely different from that outside. All the scenery inside the cave is natural and beautiful.

It was very beautiful. Our whole class chartered a car to go there. The scenery there was really beautiful. There were many beautiful stones. The Miao bags were also very beautiful. The scenic spot we went to had a very big cave. The stones inside were illuminated by lights and it was so beautiful that it was indescribable.

The scenic area is well-equipped with sightseeing buses. Visitors line up at the boarding point and board the buses, which then visit the various attractions in sequence. Some sightseeing bus stops require walking, so after getting off at each stop, you can find your own way to the surrounding attractions and board the bus at your own pace. The sightseeing buses run about every five minutes. The distances between attractions aren't too far, so walking is also an option. Since we were traveling with our children, we naturally chose to take the bus.

The scenic spots with natural landforms created by the wonders of nature are worth visiting.

Xingwen is about 100 kilometers away from Yibin. There are caves and stone forests there. You can go and see them.

The towering Couple Peak resembles a pair of inseparable lovers, the majestic Crouching Tiger Ridge is like a mighty soldier, and the beautiful Yuanjia Cave is like a colorful gate.

The harvest is beyond imagination, the momentum is magnificent, the scale is very large, you can spend a whole day there, and the caves are extremely rare.

If you are not particularly interested in geology, this attraction is really boring. The service at the attraction is also not perfect.

Xingwen Stone Sea, Sichuan's first World Geopark, National Scenic Area, and National AAAA-level Tourist Area, is located in Yibin, Sichuan Province, the city bordering the Yangtze River and the hometown of Wuliangye. Adjacent to the Shunan Bamboo Sea, the scenic area covers 156 square kilometers. Five hundred million years of geological evolution have shaped Xingwen Stone Sea's majestic surface rock formations, crisscrossing underground caves, and world-class cenotes, creating a truly magical and unparalleled blend of wonders.