Yellow River Qishiyuan Garden in Guide County, Hainan Prefecture

Yellow River Strange Stone Garden (黄河奇石苑), also known by the elegant name “Luyuan” (臝苑), is a National AAA-rated tourist attraction located in Geljia Village, Hexi Town, Guide County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, about 3 km west of Guide County town. Covering approximately 50 mu, the garden is one of the larger strange-stone-themed gardens in the Yellow River Basin and took more than ten years to complete. It displays numerous huge natural stones shaped by the long-term erosion of the Yellow River, complemented by century-old pear trees, traditional Chinese covered corridors and courtyards, and poems carved into the stones. The combination of stones and classical poetry creates a distinctive cultural landscape centered on Yellow River stone culture. The garden stands at an elevation of approximately 2,200 meters.
Gaode GCJ-02 Coordinates: 101.3910,36.0321

Best Time to Visit

Seasonal Highlights

April–May: Pear blossoms are in full bloom, with the century-old pear trees covered in flowers, creating an especially atmospheric garden landscape.
June–September: Summer brings lush greenery and pleasant conditions for sightseeing, making this the best overall period to visit.
October: Autumn scenery brings yellowing leaves and fewer visitors.
November–March: Winter brings withered vegetation and relatively low temperatures.

Daily Visiting Hours

Peak season, May–October: 08:30–19:00, with last admission at 18:30.
Low season, November–April: 09:00–17:00.
Morning: The softer natural light is particularly suitable for observing the textures and details of the strange stones.

Transportation

By car: Navigate to Guide Yellow River Strange Stone Garden (贵德黄河奇石苑). From Yingbin West Road in Guide County town, drive west toward the attraction. Ordinary cars can reach the site, and a small parking area is available.
Public transportation: The attraction can be reached by a short taxi ride from Guide County town. There is no dedicated tourist shuttle, so it can conveniently be combined with Guide Ancient City (贵德古城) and Nanhai Hall (南海殿).
Inside the attraction: The garden is designed around courtyard paths and is best explored entirely on foot.

Core Attractions

🪨 Luyuan (臝苑)

The main garden area features enormous original Yellow River stones in remarkably varied shapes and forms. The stones have not been artificially carved or sculpted, allowing visitors to appreciate the natural forms created by millions of years of flowing water and erosion along the Yellow River.

🖋️ Shiyuan (诗苑)

Large stones are engraved with poems and literary works praising stones from different historical periods. The combination of natural stone, calligraphy and stone inscriptions makes this the cultural heart of the garden and an important area for experiencing Yellow River stone culture.

🌿 Moyuan (磨苑)

This courtyard area combines covered corridors, ponds and ancient pear trees to create a relaxing garden environment. Strange stones are scattered naturally throughout the corners of the traditional courtyard, blending the stone landscape with the surrounding greenery.

🍐 Century-Old Pear Tree Group

Several pear trees here are hundreds of years old. They offer blossoms in spring and fruit in autumn and are one of the garden's most distinctive natural features.

Recommended visiting time: 1–1.5 hours. The attraction can be combined with Guide Ancient City (贵德古城), Nanhai Hall (南海殿) and Qingqing Yellow River Scenic Area (清清黄河景区) to create a full-day itinerary in Guide.

Accommodation and Food

Accommodation: Return to Guide County town for accommodation, as there are no lodging facilities inside the attraction.
Local food: Recommended specialties include Guide-style mianpian noodles (贵德面片), hand-grabbed lamb (手抓羊肉) and Changba pears (长把梨). There is no restaurant inside the garden, so visitors should bring their own drinking water.

Travel Tips

1. Admission is approximately RMB 20–40 when purchased on site. Discount policies are subject to the attraction's current arrangements. Free guided services may be available.
2. The elevation is around 2,200 meters, so altitude sickness is generally not a major concern. However, temperatures can vary considerably between day and night in the river valley, so sun protection is recommended.
3. The strange stones are for viewing only. Hitting, carving, moving or otherwise damaging the stones is strictly prohibited.
4. There is considerable vegetation throughout the garden, so open flames are prohibited. Please protect the century-old pear trees and do not pick their fruit.
5. There are ponds within the courtyards, and the ground may become slippery. Take care when walking.