Plan at a glance
Start with the densest stone-forest areas
Suobuya Stone Forest is in Taiyanghe Township, Enshi. The landscape formed about 460 million years ago in the Ordovician period. The park is divided into four areas: Qinglongtai (青龙台), Lianhuazhai (莲花寨), Mozigou (磨子沟) and Jiulonghui (九龙汇). The areas are large and connected by park shuttle buses; first-time visitors usually start with Lianhuazhai and Xiniugou (犀牛沟).
Time, cost and walking effort
An express visit takes about 2–3 hours and a highlights visit about 3–5 hours. The admission ticket costs about CNY 78, the park shuttle about CNY 30, and the combined ticket about CNY 108. There are many stone paths and stairs, so families should choose the areas according to the walking ability of everyone in the group.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Lianhuazhai and Xiniugou
Lianhuazhai has one of the park's densest concentrations of stone formations, making it a good choice for first-time visitors, shorter visits and geology-focused sightseeing. Xiniugou is within this area; its narrow fissures and Yixiantian (一线天) stay relatively cool, and looking upward reveals changing light between the rock walls.
Qinglongtai for higher views
Qinglongtai sits higher and suits visitors who want a broad view of the stone forest, the textures of Longlin Shi (龙鳞石) and a more open outlook. Its experience differs from Lianhuazhai: Qinglongtai is about the overall landform and elevation, while Lianhuazhai takes you into the fissures. When your group has limited energy, start with Lianhuazhai before deciding whether to add Qinglongtai.
Mozigou for fissures and rock layers
Mozigou is one of Suobuya's four areas, with narrow natural fissures, ancient rock layers and a cooler atmosphere inside the gaps. It has no separate entrance. Whether to add it to an express or highlights visit depends on the shuttle stops and return schedule; the fissures and stairs are more slippery in rain, so visitors with limited mobility should not force the route.
The Shanhaijing (山海泾) experience
Mozigou also has the separately ticketed Shanhaijing experience. It is optional and not part of the essential natural stone-forest route. The price is based on the day's on-site ticketing; if your budget is limited, prioritise the park shuttle and the natural areas.
Build your day
2–3-hour express route
Take the park shuttle from the Visitor Center into Lianhuazhai. Walk through Xiniugou, Yixiantian and the core stone-forest area, then continue to Mozigou for its fissures and rock layers. If you are interested, buy the separately ticketed Shanhaijing experience; then take the park shuttle back to the Visitor Center.
3–5-hour highlights route
Visitor Center → Qinglongtai → Lianhuazhai → Mozigou → Jiulonghui → back to the Visitor Center. Qinglongtai is for the panorama, while Lianhuazhai and Mozigou are better for fissures and rock layers. If Jiulonghui is your last stop, check the return-shuttle timing before setting out.
Match the shuttle with your return
The park shuttle connects all four areas, and a straight-line map distance does not show how long the transfers and walks will take. If you are leaving by public transport, check the return bus departures of about 16:30–17:00 before entering the last area. If you drove, return to the Visitor Center by the park's daily shuttle and parking arrangements.
Get there
Shuttle bus from Enshi city
Take the shuttle bus to Suobuya Stone Forest from the long-distance bus terminal opposite Enshi Railway Station. The ride takes about 1.5 hours and costs about CNY 25 one way, with buses usually departing at intervals. The last bus back to Enshi is around 16:30–17:00, so 18:00 is not a public-transport departure time.
Drive along the mountain road
Drive to the “Suobuya Stone Forest Visitor Center”; parking costs about CNY 10 per day. The mountain road takes about 30 minutes and has many bends. Park at the Visitor Center, then use the park shuttle for the different areas; the area-to-area sightseeing route is not a driving route.
Know before you go
Opening hours and last entry
Opening hours are about 08:00–18:00, with ticket sales and admission stopping around 16:30 in the peak season. The last park-shuttle service may change. Reserve through an official channel or a major travel platform using real-name registration, and check the day's area and shuttle notices on arrival. Foreign visitors using a passport or another travel document should confirm in advance that their chosen official or OTA channel accepts it and how on-site verification works.
Stone steps and weather
The park has stone paths, stairs and natural fissures, which become slippery in rain, so wear shoes with good grip. The exposed areas can be sunny in summer while places such as Xiniugou are cooler. Carry sun protection, water and a light rain layer.
Signal, photography and entrance-area charges
Signal can be weak in some areas, so save the route or prepare an offline map in advance. Yixiantian is good for looking upward at the light, the Lianhuazhai platform for layered stone-forest views, and Qinglongtai for wider scenery. If the entrance offers free photos, ask whether small prints, enlargements and digital copies are charged separately.
Food and optional activities
Food choices inside the park are limited. Carry a small amount of water and snacks; the Tujia flatbread at the entrance is a simple option. Nearby farm meals require advance planning. The Shanhaijing experience is ticketed separately and priced at the day's on-site rate; it is not part of the natural sightseeing route.