Shibaozhai (Precious Stone Fortress)

The imposing pavilion
More Shibaozhai Photos
Cruising along the Yangtze River, one will see a huge rock standing along the river's northern bank in the Territory of Zhongxian County of Chongqing, against which a pavilion was constructed named Shibaozhai (Precious Stone Fortress). The rock, 164 feet (50 meters) high, is in a shape of an imperial seal and the pavilion leaning it is vermilion with 12 floors. A legend tells that when Nü Va patched up the sky, she left this large colored stone, regarded as precious stone and where later during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) an insurgent army settled and used it as their fortress. Hence the place got its name the Precious Stone Fortress.

Built in the Ming Dynasty, Shibaozhai consists of a gate, a pavilion and a temple. The gate is caved with some vivid reliefs. Within the gate is the 184 feet high 12-storey wooden pavilion. It is the tallest specimen of ancient architecture with the most storeys in China and reputed as one of the eight fantastic examples of architecture in the world. Originally it was only nine storeys high; in 1956 three more (called Kuixing Pavilion) were added. A spiral staircase in the pavilion can take tourists to the top to reach the temple.

Inside the pavilion, there are steles and inscriptions of past dynasties of each floor. Visitors can also admire the spectacular Yangtze River from the windows of each floor. As the higher floor is reached, the space becomes narrower. Originally, there was no such building. The temple at the top could only be reached by path hewn in the rock with an iron chain to hold on to. A clever artificer once saw an eagle spread its wings and flying little by little up to the temple, which gave him the idea for creating a scaling ladder within a building and so the pavilion was erected.


The vivid statuesUpon arriving at the top of the pavilion, there is a flat stone dam. Here stands the ancient 'Lanruo Temple' at the highest point of the Precious Stone Fortress. A mural depicting the story of Nv Wa patching up the sky can be seen in the main hall of the temple. The so-called Rice Flowing Hole can be seen at the rear hall. According to a legend, rice once flowed from the hole everyday after the temple was built. A greedy monk wanting more rice to flow from the hole made it larger and from that day no more rice appeared!

After the water level rises because of the Water Storage of Three Gorges Dam Project, part of Shibaozhai can be submerged. Thanks to a wise decision to protect the relic, it has been well preserved after a series of measures.
 
Admission Fee: CNY 50
Operating Hours 08:00 - 17:00
- Last updated on Apr. 19, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Shibaozhai (Precious Stone Fortress)
Asked by alberto from ITALIA | Oct. 21, 2019 09:37Reply
How can I reach Laitan old town from Chongqing? How much time does the trip require?
Answers (1)
Answered by Riley from GERMANY | Oct. 21, 2019 20:04
00Reply


You are suggested to take a coach from Caiyuanba Coach Station to Hechuan. Then transfer to a bus to Longshi. After arriving, take a taxi to Laitan Old Town.
Asked by thuy nguyen from U.S. | Oct. 05, 2016 21:50Reply
A daytrip to Shibaozhai from Chonqing
I am taking a boat ride from Chaotianmen to Shibaozhai. I understand that the boat ride is over 3 hours, another bus to the temple is 1:30 minutes more. I am travelling on Feb. 9, 2017.
Please advise if I start the earliest boat ride, do I have enough time to come back to Chongqing in the same day ?
Also advise the boat ride & bus schedules at the earliest and the latest to go back to the city center.
Thanks for your time.
Answers (1)
Answered by Matilda from SINGAPORE | Oct. 09, 2016 02:15
10Reply


Thuy, I didn't find the schedule of the boat online. Maybe you can get to Chaotianmen Wharf to check the schedule in advance.
You can take a bus on the southern square of Chongqing North Railway Station to reach Zhongxian County first, and the earliest bus departs at 10:00 and the last return bus leaves from Zhongxian County at 18:00.
Asked by jan from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 26, 2015 00:19Reply
are there any days the area is closed. ie 26th september 2015?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jim from IRELAND | Mar. 26, 2015 04:08
10Reply


Jan, it won't be closed on September 26, during Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.
Asked by Mr.Zhong | Feb. 06, 2009 03:35Reply
I am a local resident of Zhongxian. Shibaozha has reopened to tourists on January 1, 2009 after its closure in December 2005 for restoration. In December 2005, the government took measures to restore and protect the cultural relics. For the past three years, tourists could only view the site from a distance by traveling on passing cruise ships. A newly built Folk Custom Street has also been added to this scenic spot. We welcome you to visit Zhongxian.
Answers (1)
Answered by Mr.CHIMPANZEE00 from AFGHANISTAN | Jul. 06, 2009 17:16
00Reply


I am going to Zhongxian for July 22 solar eclipse. I need a decent hotel (3 star) with Internet.
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