After visiting Xingwen Stone Sea three times, I finally figured out how to make the most of it.

📍 Basic Info

• Location: Shihai Town, Xingwen County, Yibin, Sichuan. 270 km from Chengdu. Take high-speed rail to Xingwen Station, then transfer to a 15-minute shuttle bus to the scenic area.

• Tickets: Adult ticket ¥80 (includes Tianquan Cave), half-price for students/elders, free for children under 1.2m.

• Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 (last entry at 17:00). The cave is cool inside, so bring a jacket.

🚗 Transportation Guide

1. High-speed rail + shuttle: Chengdu/Yibin → Xingwen Station (~1.5h), walk to the bus station and take the scenic area shuttle (¥15/person, 40 min).

2. Drive: From Chengdu via Chengdu-Zigong-Luzhou Expressway, ~3.5h direct to the parking lot (¥10 parking fee).

3. Tourist shuttle: Departs daily at 8:30 from Yibin Jiudu Theater, includes ticket + transport + lunch, ¥148/person (book online).

🌟 Must-See Attractions

1. Stone Sea Waves: The world's largest surface stone sea, with black stone forests resembling frozen waves. Try the zip line (¥60) for a thrilling aerial view—great for photos!

2. Tianquan Cave: China's largest karst cave. Walk 5 km through three cave halls with stunning stalactites lit like a dreamy palace. Includes a boat ride on the underground river (covered in transport combo ticket).

3. World's First Stone Tiger: A naturally formed tiger-shaped rock. Pair it with the Couple Peak for epic photos.

4. Miao Culture: Daily Lusheng performances at the Miao Village. Visit during the Flower Mountain Festival (April 23-26) for traditional dances, ceremonies, and long-table feasts.

🚶 Recommended Itinerary

• One-day highlights:
Morning: Stone Sea Waves → Zip line → Couple Peak → Bo Village (Miao culture)
Lunch: Try smoked pork and red tofu at Miao Village.
Afternoon: Tianquan Cave (with boat ride) → Stone Tiger → Return.

🍜 Food Guide

• Must-try snacks: Liu Wontons (thin skin, fresh filling), Zhuerba (glutinous rice with pickled veggies and meat), Xianfeng Red Tofu (spicy and fragrant).

• Local dishes: Miao sour fish soup, black-bone chicken feast (stewed with fresh fish). Scenic area restaurants cost ~¥40-60/person.

• Drinks: Stone Sea Cave Wine (aged in caves, sweet aftertaste)—great as a souvenir.

📌 Pro Tips

1. Transport combo ticket: ¥40 covers shuttle + elevator + boat ride—saves time and energy. Highly recommended.

2. Safety: Wear non-slip shoes in the cave. Book extreme activities like via ferrata in advance.

3. Hotels:

◦ Zen Yi·Shihai Tingyuan: Next to the scenic area, floor-to-ceiling windows face the stone sea. ~¥500/night with breakfast.

◦ Miao Village Hotel: Traditional Miao architecture, includes costume rentals. ~¥300/night.

4. Photography: Shoot Stone Sea Waves in morning light for depth. Use wide-angle in Tianquan Cave.

⏰ Best Time to Visit

• Year-round: Spring (Mar-May) for wildflowers, autumn (Sep-Nov) for cool weather. Avoid summer storms and winter cold.

👉 Summary: Xingwen Stone Sea is famous for its "three wonders" (stone sea, sinkhole, cave) and Miao culture. Ideal for nature lovers and cultural explorers. Arrive early to avoid crowds—allow 5-6 hours for a full experience.