Xingwen Stone Sea: A Journey from Vast Ocean to "Extraterrestrial Planet" Geological Wonderland

The Name "Stone Sea" – From Ancient Ocean to "Frozen Waves"

The name "Xingwen Stone Sea" derives from its surface stone sea landscape stretching over ten kilometers. The area preserves carbonate strata from various eras spanning 490 million to 250 million years ago, containing abundant marine fossils and sedimentary markers that silently tell the story of ancient oceans' transformation. Unique geographical location and climatic conditions have formed distinctive "Xingwen-style" karst landforms, with densely distributed stone buds and crisscrossing dissolution grooves. Viewed from above, it resembles "frozen waves," hence the name "Stone Sea Waves."

The Path of Discovery – From Geological Wonder to Global Recognition

The modern story of Xingwen Stone Sea is an epic journey from hidden mountains to world acclaim:

Scientific Discovery (20th Century): As one of China's earliest areas for sinkhole discovery and research, Xingwen Stone Sea's geological value gradually gained academic recognition.

Brand Ascendancy (2002-2005): Successively designated as a National Key Scenic Area and National Geopark, and in 2005 recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark and National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction.

Continuous Upgrading (2006-2025): Officially opened in 2006, selected as one of China's Top Ten Most Beautiful Geoparks in 2008, and passed UNESCO re-evaluation certification in 2025.

Stunning Debut (2026-Present): Featured in the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala Yibin venue, currently accelerating efforts to create a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction, exploring a new path of cultural-tourism integration driven by both "geological wonders and cultural IP."

Dive Deeper: Explore More Geological Wonders in China >>Zhangjiajie National Forest Par | Yunnan Shilin

Nature's Artistry – An Encyclopedia of Karst Landforms

The natural landscape of Xingwen Stone Sea is an eternal dance of water, stone, and time, renowned worldwide for the "three wonders in one" — surface stone sea, sinkhole, and karst caves.

Surface Stone Sea – Frozen Waves
Stretching over ten kilometers east-west and approximately 4 kilometers north-south, the surface stone sea is the origin of the scenic area's name. Densely distributed stone buds and crisscrossing dissolution grooves create myriad forms with silvery colors. Viewed from above, it resembles rolling waves, earning the reputation of "frozen waves."

Couple Peaks: The iconic landmark of Xingwen Stone Sea. Twin stone pillars connected at the base but separated at the top, approximately 40 meters high with a 2-meter gap at the summit. One taller, one shorter, they resemble a loving couple supporting each other while gazing skyward, said to have kept watch here for a thousand years.

Seven Maidens Peak, Crouching Tiger Ridge, Beauty Stone, White Dragon Horse: Stone peak landscapes named for their shapes, each with unique charm and character.

Sinkhole – The Earth's Funnel Masterpiece
Xingwen Stone Sea's sinkhole is a world-class large-scale karst funnel, with a long diameter of 650 meters, short diameter of 490 meters, and depth of 208 meters. Following peak forests and peak clusters, the sinkhole is the third karst landform term defined and named in Chinese by Chinese scientists. Xingwen is the earliest area in China for sinkhole discovery and research. Its walls are steep as if carved, with underground rivers surging at the bottom, pulsating like the Earth's heartbeat.

Underground Karst Caves – Asia's Largest Cave Cluster
The park contains over 260 underground karst caves, forming a vast underground cave cluster. Tianquan Cave is the core representative, with an explored length of 10.5 kilometers, divided into four levels with grand halls, making it one of China's largest karst caves.

Cascading Light: A naturally formed skylight in the cave ceiling, where sunlight pours down creating ever-changing light and shadow effects.

Stone Forest Fairyland: Stalactites of various shapes within the cave, illuminated by colored lights creating a fairyland-like atmosphere.

Romantic Milky Way: The underground river reflects the cave ceiling lights, as if the Milky Way has fallen to earth.

Biodiversity – A Sanctuary for Rare Plants
The park's valleys and mountains are home to rare plants, including national first-class protected plants such as ginkgo and yew, and national second-class protected plants such as Alsophila spinulosa, Phoebe zhennan, and camphor.

Human Craftsmanship – Millennia of Bo and Miao Culture

Bo Village – The Vanished Ancient Bo Civilization
Bo Village is a reconstructed Bo cultural exhibition area on its original site, preserving ancient Bo people's production tools, hunting weapons, and ritual items. Cliffside hanging coffin burials and faintly visible scenes in rock paintings tell the story of the Bo people's rise and fall. Every September in the lunar calendar, the "International Bo People's God Competition Festival" is held here, showcasing Bo ritual culture.

Miao King Palace – Living Miao Culture
Xingwen County is Sichuan Province's largest Miao concentrated county. Miao King Palace is an important area for experiencing Miao culture, with simple and elegant architectural complexes housing Miao cultural halls and Miao medicine experience centers. Miao clothing, marriage customs, medicine, folk crafts, music, and dance are well-preserved. From March to May annually, the scenic area hosts the traditional Miao "Huashan Festival," where visitors can experience Miao culture.

Immersive Performances – The Perfect Fusion of Technology and Culture
In recent years, Xingwen Stone Sea has launched three immersive cultural tourism projects, establishing a new pattern of "daytime stone sea tours, evening performances, and cave exploration":

"Stone Sea Epic" Night Tour Performance: China's first immersive performance set against a karst landscape backdrop, utilizing the Stone Sea Waves wonder as a natural stage. Using holographic projection and sound-light matrix technology, it condenses 560 million years of geological changes and Bo history into a 60-minute audio-visual feast.

"Bo Shadow Trail" Mystery Script Tour: Innovatively adopts a "live-action puzzle-solving + AR interaction" model, connecting 10 cultural landmarks including hanging coffins, sinkholes, and Bo Village, allowing visitors to decode ancient Bo civilization through exploration.

"Fairy Banquet Cave" Dining Show: A cave dining experience set in Asia's largest karst cave cluster, integrating Miao cultural long-table banquets with intangible cultural heritage performances within the fantastical karst landscape.

Outdoor Activities – The Joy of Pushing Limits
The scenic area offers via ferrata, zip-lining, jungle crossing, and grass sliding:

Via ferrata main line: 150 meters long, 50-meter elevation gain

Zip-line: 250 meters long, 36-meter height difference

Jungle crossing: 4 routes totaling 500 meters

Grass sliding: 164 meters long with 3 slides

Photography & Exploration Tips:
The best panoramic spots are Stone Sea Waves Viewing Platform and Couple Peaks Viewing Platform; early morning or dusk is recommended.
For photographing "Cascading Light" in Tianquan Cave, use a wide-angle lens to capture the interplay of light and shadow.
The evening "Stone Sea Epic" performance is the best opportunity for night photography; bring a tripod.
During winter weekends and New Year's Day, intangible cultural heritage fire pot performances are held in Tianquan Cave.
Drones are permitted subject to scenic area regulations.

Five Must-Do Activities for a Complete Xingwen Stone Sea Journey

1. Stroll Through Stone Sea Waves, Seek the Millennia-Old Couple Peaks

Time: Early morning or dusk when light is softest.

Experience: Walk among the "frozen waves," watching stone buds surge like ocean swells. Pause beneath Couple Peaks, gazing up at these twin stone pillars that have kept watch for a thousand years, feeling nature's romance.

Photography: Use a wide-angle lens to frame Couple Peaks against the sky.

2. Explore the Sinkhole Wonder, Overlook the "Earth's Funnel"

Experience: Stand at the edge of this 650-meter-long, 208-meter-deep giant sinkhole, overlooking the steep walls as if carved, feeling the Earth's pulse. Underground rivers surge at the bottom, pulsating like the planet's heartbeat.

Tip: Viewing platforms have railings; do not climb over. Those afraid of heights should avoid the edge.

3. Boat Through Tianquan Cave, Encounter the "Romantic Milky Way"

Experience: Enter Tianquan Cave with its explored length of 10.5 kilometers, boating through underground rivers. Stalactites hang above like scattered stars, water reflections create dreamlike scenes. "Cascading Light," "Stone Forest Fairyland," and "Romantic Milky Way" astonish visitors.

Tip: The cave maintains a constant temperature of around 18°C year-round; bring a light jacket. During winter weekends and New Year's Day, enjoy intangible cultural heritage fire pot performances.

4. Experience "Stone Sea Epic" at Night, Immerse in a 560-Million-Year Time Travel

Time: Performance schedules vary between winter and summer; check in advance.

Experience: At this evening performance set against the natural stage of Stone Sea Waves, watch holographic projection and sound-light matrix technology condense 560 million years of geological changes and Bo history into an audio-visual feast.

Tip: Book tickets in advance and choose center seats for the best view.

5. Savor a Miao Feast, Taste Stone Sea Wine

Must-Order Dishes: Miao sour fish soup (spicy and sour, appetizing), Xingwen black-boned chicken feast (local specialty), Stone Sea grilled fish, bamboo rice.

Snacks to Try: Xingwen large wontons (thin-skinned with generous filling, once awarded famous snack title).

Where to Find: Sinkhole camping barbecue base, restaurants within the scenic area, Xingwen county town eateries.

Suggested Itineraries

One-Day "Essence Express" Tour:

Arrive at the scenic area before 9:00 AM → Stone Sea Waves Viewing Platform for photos (20 mins) → Couple Peaks photo stop (30 mins) → Head to Bo Village, explore ancient Bo culture (40 mins) → Sinkhole viewing platform to overlook the "Earth's Funnel" (30 mins) → Lunch within the scenic area → Afternoon enter Tianquan Cave, boat through underground rivers (2 hrs) → Experience cave slide (¥20/person, optional) → Visit Miao King Palace, experience Miao culture (40 mins) → Evening dinner within the scenic area → Enjoy "Stone Sea Epic" immersive evening performance (60 mins) → Depart after 9:00 PM.
*IntoTravelChina Tip: This itinerary takes approximately 5-6 hours. Consider purchasing the transportation package (¥40/person) to save energy. Book tickets on the platform one day in advance for discounts.*

Two-Day "Deep Geology + Culture" Tour:

Day 1: Stone Sea Wonders + Sinkhole Exploration + Evening Performance

Morning arrival, check into Shihai Tingyuan Hotel or nearby lodging

Lunch: Taste Miao sour fish soup

Afternoon: Explore surface stone sea, Couple Peaks, Bo Village, sinkhole

Evening dinner within the scenic area

Enjoy "Stone Sea Epic" immersive evening performance

Overnight at Shihai Tingyuan Hotel, experience private hot spring (recommended in winter)

Day 2: Cave Exploration + Peripheral Tour

Early morning enter Tianquan Cave, boat through underground rivers, enjoy "Cascading Light" and "Stone Forest Fairyland"

Morning experience cave slide or via ferrata rock climbing (optional)

Lunch: Miao cultural long-table banquet at Miao King Palace

Afternoon choose to visit Bowang Mountain Park (mountain, water, forest, waterfall) or Taian Stone Forest Park

Evening depart

For a three-day trip, add Day 3: Visit Shunan Bamboo Sea (approx. 68 km from the scenic area) or Lizhuang Ancient Town.

IntoTravelChina Advantage: We can reserve the most suitable accommodations for you, arrange ticket reservations, transportation connections, and cultural experience activities, and provide detailed route maps and time management recommendations.

Expert Guidance: IntoTravelChina offers private customized itineraries with dedicated guides, transportation, and activity coordination for a deep, worry-free experience. >>Consult now for customization

How to Get There: A Seamless Connection Guide
Xingwen Stone Sea is located in Xingwen County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, with convenient transportation access.

High-Speed Rail: Take a train to "Xingwen Station." Upon arrival, take the rural bus directly to the scenic area (¥17, approx. 1 hour), or take a taxi (approx. 30 minutes).

Self-Drive: Navigate to "Xingwen Stone Sea Scenic Area." From Chengdu, take the Chengwen Expressway and Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, approx. 4 hours total. From Yibin city center, approx. 1.5 hours.

By Air: Fly to Yibin Wuliangye Airport or Luzhou Yunlong Airport, then transfer by high-speed train to Xingwen Station.

Local Transportation: Rural buses depart from Xingwen county town old bus station to the scenic area approximately every half hour.

Important Return Reminder: Scenic area opening hours: summer 8:30-17:30, winter 9:00-17:00. Return buses may not stop at the back gate; walk about 100 meters to the temporary stop near farmstay on the main road. Check high-speed train schedules in advance.

Best Time to Visit
Xingwen Stone Sea is suitable for visiting year-round, but spring, summer, and autumn offer lusher vegetation and better visual experience.

Golden Spring & Autumn (Mar-May, Sep-Nov): Pleasant weather, best scenery. Spring features the Miao "Huashan Festival."

Summer Escape Season (Jun-Aug): Constant 18°C inside the cave, ideal for escaping summer heat. Summer features cave music festivals and sinkhole camping events.

Winter (Dec-Feb): Fewer visitors, enjoy a more peaceful experience. Winter weekends and New Year's Day feature intangible cultural heritage fire pot performances inside the cave. December is off-season with tickets at ¥40 (regular price ¥80).

Accommodation Options

Near the Scenic Area (First choice for immersion):

Shihai Tingyuan Hotel: Adjacent to Stone Sea Waves scenery. Loft suites include private hot spring, doubling the experience value in winter. Approx. ¥300/night.

Homestays/Farmstays near Visitor Center: Affordable prices, convenient commuting.

Xingwen County Town (Comfortable choice):

Wide range of hotels, such as chain hotels near Guangming Avenue, affordable prices. Approximately 25 km from the scenic area, about 30 minutes drive.

IntoTravelChina Accommodation Booking Advice:
We recommend planning and booking at least one month in advance, especially for holidays and summer. Booking through us provides real-time availability and allows us to package accommodation, tickets, and transport for a seamless itinerary. Tell us your budget and needs, and we will match you with your ideal "Stone Sea Home." >>Consult now for customization

Xingwen Stone Sea is the perfect starting point for exploring the nature and culture of southern Sichuan.

Classic 2-Day Southern Sichuan Loop: Xingwen Stone Sea (Geological Wonder) → Shunan Bamboo Sea ( renowned bamboo forest, 68 km) → Lizhuang Ancient Town (First Town on the Yangtze River). A perfect journey integrating geological wonders, natural scenery, and historical culture. 

3-Day Panoramic Tour: Xingwen Stone Sea → Shunan Bamboo Sea → Yibin Wuliangye Wine Culture Expo Park → Lizhuang Ancient Town. Experience Yibin's wine culture and ancient town charm. 

The story of Xingwen Stone Sea spans 490 million years of geological transformation, the eternal dialogue between surface stone sea and underground caves, and the millennia-old heritage of Bo and Miao culture. IntoTravelChina specializes in creating deep, personalized, and worry-free travel experiences in China. Our travel experts can:

Tailor-Make Your Itinerary: Design the perfect route including Xingwen Stone Sea and surrounding attractions based on your interests and schedule.

Provide One-Stop Service: Secure ticket reservations, unique accommodations, transportation connections, local guides, and activity arrangements.

Arrange Exclusive Experiences: VIP viewing spots for "Stone Sea Epic," in-depth interpretation of Bo and Miao culture, guided tours with geology experts, and more.

Let your Xingwen Stone Sea journey transcend sightseeing—embark on a geological wonder journey across hundreds of millions of years.

Start Planning Your Journey Now
Contact our professional travel advisors. We will provide you with a customized itinerary proposal and quote within 24 hours. >>Consult now for customization