Red Stones Forest, Geological park in Guzhang County, China
Red Stones Forest is a geopark featuring limestone rock formations spread across a large area, creating a landscape of valleys, streams, springs, and grasslands. The rocks display their characteristic reddish coloring due to iron content, which gives the site its distinctive appearance.
The limestone formations originated about 450 million years ago when the area was a seafloor where sediments accumulated. Over millions of years, rain and water erosion gradually shaped the valleys and landforms that exist today.
The Tujia people who live in this region consider it an important center for traditional dances like Maogusi, where hand movements and rhythmic steps remain part of local celebrations. These performances connect visitors directly to the cultural expressions that shape daily life in this area.
Regular buses from the main bus station in Zhangjiajie run to Furong Town, where local minibuses then connect to the park entrance. The time of year or time of day you visit will change how the rocks appear, so plan according to what colors and light you want to see.
The iron-rich rocks display dramatic color shifts depending on weather and light: bright red under sunshine, dark gray to black in rain, and reddish-brown when clouds cover the sky. This daily color transformation means the park looks quite different if you visit at different times of day or in different seasons.
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