Suobuya Stone Forest
Known as the “Kingdom of Coolness,” the scenic area is an excellent place to escape the summer heat. Its unique “Rippled Patterns” and “Crown” rock formations are a highlight.…
Suobuya Stone Forest, Enshi · Brookqi · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥108 (includes sightseeing bus)
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Getting there
- Take the scenic area tourist shuttle from Xidu Square in Enshi. The fare is ¥18.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 2035. Open in Google Maps
About Suobuya Stone Forest
Known as the “Kingdom of Coolness,” the scenic area is an excellent place to escape the summer heat. Its unique “Rippled Patterns” and “Crown” rock formations are a highlight. It is home to the largest crowned stone forest in China. Visitors can also witness natural firefly displays.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Suobuya Stone Forest cost?
Admission to Suobuya Stone Forest is ¥108 (includes sightseeing bus), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Suobuya Stone Forest?
Take the scenic area tourist shuttle from Xidu Square in Enshi. The fare is ¥18.
How long should I spend at Suobuya Stone Forest?
Plan on 2–4 hours for Suobuya Stone Forest.
Where is Suobuya Stone Forest?
Suobuya Stone Forest is in Enshi, Hubei Province, in the Central China of China.
More places in Enshi
Enshi Grand Canyon Scenic Area
Located near the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, in Tunpu Township and Banqiao Town of Enshi City, this section of the Qingjiang Grand Canyon rivals the Grand Canyon in Colorado, USA, and ranks among the most beautiful canyons in the world. Highlights include hundred-li sheer cliffs, thousand-foot waterfalls, the solitary Aoxiao Peak, primeval forests, and ancient villages, all breathtaking in their own way.
Qixingzhai ¥185; Qixingzhai + cableway ¥290; combined scenic area ticket ¥265; combined scenic area ticket + cableway ¥370 · 1–2 days
Enshi Tusi City
This site showcases the traditional architecture of the three main ethnic groups of the Enshi Prefecture: Tujia, Miao and Dong. At the heart of the ethnic culture zone stands the Tujia “Jiujin Hall,” the largest, most typical and most spectacular replica Tujia stilted-house complex in China.
¥45 · 2–4 hours
Shennong Stream
Known as the “Pearl of Western Hubei,” the river is divided into four natural gorge sections: Longchang Gorge, Parrot Gorge, Shennong Gorge and Jinzhu Gorge. The most distinctive experience is the Shennong Stream rafting, which uses a type of flat-bottomed boat shaped like a pea pod. Cruising along the stream, you’ll be surrounded by lush green banks and sheer cliffs, where ancient hanging coffins can still be seen.
¥140 · 2–3 hours
Tenglong Cave
One of China’s largest karst caves and one of the world’s premier cave systems. The dry cave extends 52.6 kilometres, with an entrance 74 metres high and 64 metres wide, making it Asia’s largest dry cave. The water cave swallows the waters of the Qingjiang River and forms a 23-metre waterfall, after which the river flows as an underground stream 16.8 kilometres long. Remarkably, the wet and dry caves are separated by just a single wall.
¥170 · 2–3 hours
Luyuanping Scenic Area
Hidden in a rift valley between the Liuliao and Zhongjian rivers lies an undeveloped and beautiful place called Luyuanping. Surrounded by sheer cliffs, its mountains, waters, forests, fields, roads and farmhouses have all remained in their natural state, thanks to the area’s unique terrain.
¥128 · 1–2 days