The iconic attraction within Rongcheng Scenic Area, Huaban Colorful Stone, is a volcanic rock – tuff formed from volcanic eruptions during the Cambrian Yanshan period over 500 million years ago. It is a rare treasure in China’s marine erosion landforms, with extremely high scientific and historical cultural value, and is a unique sea stone on China’s coastline that combines sea-eroded pillars, sea-eroded patterns, and sea-eroded floating stones. This stone is enormous in volume, peculiar in shape, vibrant in color, and variable in patterns, possessing a unique charm. Huaban Colorful Stone Scenic Area has been known as a great eastern scenic spot since ancient times and was listed as one of the eight major scenic spots of Rongcheng during the reign of Emperor Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty. Due to its striking beauty in color, texture, shape, and quality, countless people have been captivated by it since ancient times, and many beautiful and touching myths and legends have been born. It is said that Huaban Colorful Stone is a five-colored divine stone accidentally left in the sea by Nuwa when she mended the sky. It is not only wonderfully colored but also possesses extremely effective divine power. After hearing this, Emperor Qin Shi Huang came to worship the stone and, upon returning, found the world peaceful and everything going well. On Huaban Colorful Stone, there is the ‘Sea Aunt’ that nurtures various sea delicacies with milk, and there are lifelike pattern shapes such as ‘Chang’e Flying to the Moon’ and ‘Ten Thousand Years Old Tree’. After visiting, the calligrapher Ren Tongguang happily wrote: ‘Made of agate and amber, woven from clouds and brocade, a work of art that is hard to achieve by divine craftsmanship, astonishing to the world.’ The scenic area also features the ‘Success in Horse Riding’ stone, which symbolizes extraordinary spirit, robust health, longevity, striving for success in career, and wealth pouring in. This stone complements the Huaban Colorful Stone in the sea, creating a natural realm of ‘Emperor Qin’s three visits to admire the colorful stone wonder, fortunate visitors experiencing success in all undertakings.’ The Rongcheng Huaban Colorful Stone Scenic Area mainly focuses on stone culture landscapes and houses a stone pavilion, a calligraphy and painting gallery, and an Antarctic gallery among other thematic exhibitions. Inside the Stone Language Pavilion, each unique stone is a product of natural creation, with various shapes and divine craftsmanship, full of spirit. The ‘Stone Language Zen’ plaque written by contemporary literary talents and the grandson of the painter Qi Baishi after visiting is a true portrayal of all the unique stones in the ancient stone pavilion. This is a high-grade and large-scale stone culture thematic exhibition hall on the Shandong Peninsula. The calligraphy and painting gallery displays the finest works of well-known calligraphers and painters from across the country and Rongcheng, allowing visitors to enjoy the relaxed pleasure brought by various styles of calligraphy and painting while appreciating stone culture. The Antarctic gallery exhibits the mysterious and unique landscapes of the Antarctic continent and items used by explorers, making it a good place for collectors. Opening hours are from 07:30 to 17:00 all year round. Preferential policy for children: free for those under 1.2 meters (not including); from 1.2 meters (including) to 1.5 meters (not including), half price.
Discounts and free admissions are offered at the Huaban Colorful Stone Scenic Area under specific conditions:
Children under 4 meters in height and seniors aged 70 and above with identification or senior citizen cards enjoy free admission. Seniors aged between 60 and 70 with identification or senior citizen cards receive a discount. Active-duty and retired military personnel with disability certificates are admitted free of charge. Retired military personnel and militia also receive discounts. Honored citizens from Rongcheng City, Weihai, Daiyue District, Tai’an, and Ying County, Rizhao, with a 3A integrity rating enjoy free admission. Those with a 2A integrity rating receive a discount. Students with student identification cards and individuals with disability certificates also receive discounts.
