The Zecha Stone Forest (则岔石林), located in Luqu County, Gannan Prefecture, stretches over 22 kilometers with an area of 20,000 hectares. It ranges from 2900 meters to 4300 meters above sea level and consists of extensive siliceous limestone formations shaped by uplift during orogenesis, erosion by water, and weathering by wind and rain. The landscape is renowned for its eerie peaks and diverse formations, characterized by steep cliffs and unique rock shapes such as “Qingtian Yixian” (Heavenly Horizon), “Lingyuan Wangyue” (Ape Looking at the Moon), “Journey to the West,” and “Camel Peak.” These formations are vividly reminiscent of mythical and natural scenes.
Historically, Zecha Stone Forest served as a meeting ground for Tang and Tibetan envoys and witnessed battles between Mongol remnants and allied forces in the late 13th century. It is celebrated for its natural beauty akin to Mount Emei‘s elegance, Mount Huashan‘s perilousness, Mount Tai‘s grandeur, and Huangshan’s uniqueness, rivaling places like Kunming Stone Forest and Jiuzhaigou in charm.
Embedded within its peaks and caves are numerous marine fossils, testament to its ancient underwater origins. In the hearts of the Tibetan people, each peak holds a close association with the legendary hero Gesar, marked by legends of his sword splitting open the “Yixian” or “One-line Heaven,” the sole entryway into the stone forest. Visitors can still see hoof prints on the cliffs believed to be left by Gesar’s steed.
Zecha Stone Forest boasts three stone gates, with “Yixian” serving as the first and most accessible gate, leading deeper into more perilous and astonishing scenery where few have tread. The site is not only a geological marvel but also a cultural treasure steeped in myth and history, offering visitors a glimpse into both natural wonder and Tibetan folklore.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 40 RMB |
| Shuttble Bus | 25 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 18.00 |
Location and Transportation
Zecha Stone Forest is located in Zecha Village, Laren Township, Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. It is situated 52 kilometers from Luqu County. To reach Zecha Stone Forest from major cities like Lanzhou:
- From Lanzhou:
- Take a bus from Lanzhou South Bus Station bound for Hezuo (合作).
- The journey to Hezuo takes approximately 3.5 hours.
- From Hezuo (合作):
- Transfer to another bus at Hezuo South Bus Station heading towards Luqu (碌曲).
- The journey to Luqu takes about 1 hour.
- From Luqu (碌曲):
- At Luqu County Square, take a tourist minivan heading to Zecha Stone Forest Scenic Area.
- The drive to the scenic area takes around 40 minutes.
