Asihatu Stone Forest, also known as Arshihaty Stone Forest (阿斯哈图石林), is an integrated part of China Hexigten World Geopark (克什克腾世界地质公园), one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Keshiketeng Banner (aka Hexigten Banner or Keshiketeng Q) under the jurisdiction of Chifeng.
Location of Arshihaty Stone Forest
It is located 140 km to the north of Jingeng Town (经棚镇) where the People’s government of the Keshiketeng Banner (克什克腾旗 Hexigten Banner ) , 380km to the northwest of Chifeng City and 270km to the east of Xilinhot, 720km to the northeast of Beijing by road.
Add: 140km to the north of Jingeng Town (经棚镇) , the seat of Hexigten Banner, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia.
Meaning of Asihatu (Arshihaty)
Asihatu (Arshihaty) literally means “Precipitous Peaks” in Mongolian. Asihatu Granite Forest is the world famous granite forest rarely seen elsewhere.
It is one of the eight separate areas of scenic and geologic significance with volcanic, glacial, and desert features in the Hexigten World Geopark. The stone forest is the relics of the Quaternary Glacier, known as the world’s geological wonders, a national AAAA-class scenic spots in China.
How to Visit Asihatu Granite Forest
When you get there, at the entrance you will change for battery cars that take you to the stone forest area. Asihatu Stone Forest has an area of 50,000 square kilometers and people are required to take the park battery cars shuttling between each attraction inside the park.
There are five scenic areas in the stone forest that are named vividly as the Moon Fortress, Sworn Brothers, Eagle with Folded Wings, Castle Surrounded, and Vivid Folk Entertainment – nicknamed with Chinese historical and cultural novels.
The Asihatu Stone Forest is perched on the transitional belt from the Greater Xing’an Mountain to the grassland in the west. The rocks and stones are very much unique and spectacular. Asihatu Stone Forest is the result of years of erosion by wind and sand.
The whole Asihatu Stone Forest tourist district is teeming with towering trees, flowers, green grass and mushrooms with birds flirting and deer running. The granite columns are unique and rare in their striking horizontal segmentation. Asihatu Stone Forest serves as scientific study, sightseeing, leisure and holiday making, entertainment.
Below the Ashihatu Stone Forest is the endless grassland, dotted with winding rivers. In summer, along the river the grassland is scattered with the yurts of Mongolian herdsmen, cattle and sheep groups, making Asihatu more attractive.
If you plan your Inner Mongolia tour, a side trip to Asihatu Stone Forest is worth your time.
Best Time to Go:
June to August ( If you are an avid photographer, you may choose to come to the Asihatu in September).
Where to stay:
1) Stay overnight at the home inns at Tianheyuan Township
2) The Tourism Service Center at the foot of the mountain
3) Back to the Jingpeng Town for overnight stay
How to get there:
First take the flight or train to Chifeng City, then from Chifen,g hire a vehicle to Asihatu. Alternatively you may first take train or flight to Xilinhot, then change for a private car or take the local bus to the site of the Asihatu Forest Park.
Check out the following road trip for more information:
Add-on
Site of Xanadu (Tips, Photos & Map)
Xanadu Sites Museum
Jinlianchuan Grassland
Wulanbutong Grassland
Asihatu Stone Forest
Gong Geer Grassland
Dalinur Lake
Duolun Travel Guide
Asihatu Stone Forest
Xi Wuzhumuqin Grassland
Top 10 Attractions in Chifeng
Hassle-Free East Inner Mongolia Guided Tours:
If you don’t want go the daunting do-it-yourself-route and prefer an organized hassle-free private tour to visit Xanadu and other parts of Inner Mongolia, no worry and we have the following options:
6-Day Beijing Duolun Xilingol Chengde Culture Tour
Beijing Chifeng 4 Day Round Trip Tour
4-Day Beijing Xilinglo Glassland Shangdu Mongolia Culture Tour
3 Day Beijing Shangdu (Xanadu) Tour
Inner Mongolia Tour
Mid-Inner Mongolia Tour (Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos)
East Inner Mongolia Tour (Xanadu,Wulan Butong, Xilinhot, Chifeng)
Northeast Inner Mongolia Tour (Hulunbuir)
West Inner Mongolia Tour (Alashan “Alxa” League)
Hohhot Tour
Hohhot Highlights & Grassland 3 Day Tour
Hohhot Highlights & Grassland 2 Day Tour
Further Readings
Top Places to Visit in Inner Mongolia
Top 10 Attractions in Hohhot
Best Time to Visit Hohhot
Meidaizhao Temple
How to go to Hohhot from Beijing
Top Souvenirs in Hohhot
Hohhot Taxi: Hohhot Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Baotou Taxi: Baotou Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Ordos Taxi: Ordos taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
What to see in Hohhot, what to do in Hohhot
Top 10 Attractions in Alxa League
Heicheng Historic Site in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)
Guai Shu Lin in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia (Tips, Photos & Map)
Populus Forest in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)
Badain Jaran Desert (Tips, Photos & Map)
Sunrise Glow over Hulunbuir Grassland
Top 10 Places for Photography in Hulunbuir
How to visit Hulunbuir Grassland
Top 10 Attractions in Hulunbuir
Hulun Lake Travel Tips
World Anti-fascist War Hailar Memorial Park
Road Trip from Ergun to Linjiang Village
Ergun Travel Guide
Aoluguya Travel Guide
Moerdaoga Travel Guide
Shiwei Travel Tips
Wusu Langzi Lake （Tips, Photos & Map)
Dujuan Lake in Aershan National Forest Park
Beihu Park Skyline at Night in Manzhouli
Night View of Manzhouli City
Architecture of Manzhouli
Top 10 Attractions in Manzhouli
Any questions, just drop a line.