Shitoucheng Stone Village – an old village with houses built in stones
Last Update: 4th October 2020
What is the Shitoucheng Stone Village?
Set on a mountain some 7 kilometers west of Xianggong Hill, Shitoucheng Stone Village was said to be originally built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The plan is similar to that of the Jingjiang Princes’ City in Guilin. Houses in the village were entirely built in stones without any earth. Some of them have fallen down while others are well-preserved.
Shitoucheng Stone Village Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Shitoucheng (石头城)
- Area: around 10 square kilometers
- Things to do there: Photography, Hiking, Adventure
- Who visits: Photographers, Nature Lovers, Adventure Enthusiasts
- Time required: 2 – 4 x hours
Interested in visiting Shitoucheng Stone Village during a Yangshuo Tour?
What to expect at Shitoucheng Stone Village
Shitoucheng Stone Village is located on a stone mountain. Local villagers said their ancestors escaped to the mountain to prevent the influence from the war in the Ming Dynasty. They built houses with the stones on the mountain directly. As a result, all the buildings across the village, including city gates, wells, and roads, are stone structures. Even, the furniture is stone structure as well. For tens of years, all the houses there have been empty as villagers have moved to the villages at the foot of the mountain. Consequently, some of them fell down.
Nowadays, there are four city gates around the village. The East Gate is 3.28 meters tall and 2.92 meters wide. The large stone spans over the gate. Some sections of the city stone wall fell down too. The mountain road to the village is lined with a variety of plants. In spring and summer, you’ll see wild flowers on the road. During the exploration, you’ll find one or two springs. The water is very clear and drinkable.
If interested, you can visit one or two of the abandoned houses. If lucky enough, you’ll see old wooden or stone beds, the traditional farming tools, such as windmills, and a traditional bucksaw. But it is not clean in the house. As the village hasn’t been populated since 2012, the alleys there are dotted with moss and other plantation.
If you want to enjoy the panoramic views of the basin, you can hike up to the top of the mountain. Along the road stand several old trees which have grown on the stone for tens of or even hundreds of years. Views from the top are also amazing.
Best time to visit Shitoucheng Stone Village
The best time to visit the Village is in the morning.
The best months to visit are from April to October.
How to get to Shitoucheng Stone Village
Unfortunately, there is no direct bus from Yangshuo to the village. Thus, the only option is to rent a vehicle.
How to get to Shitoucheng Stone Village
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- As at 4th October 2020, the entrance pricing to the village is 10 CNY per person. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- Please wear comfortable hiking shoes.
- Please take enough food and drinking water with you.