Mashan is located about 7 kilometers west of Jimo City, consisting of four connected mountain mounds shaped like a saddle, hence also known as "Ma'anshan". The southwest part of the mountain presents square columnar joints. The geological reserves in the Mashan area are rich in wood fossils, scientifically known as "silicified wood", whose shape and texture are no different from trees.
Mashan is rich in andesite, mostly gray green and gray brown, formed by the condensation of magma flowing out of the surface about 100 million years ago. The southwestern part of the mountain presents square columnar joints, with a cross-sectional diameter of about 1 meter and a height of more than 30 meters. It is straight and upright, arranged closely, resembling a dense forest, which is magnificent, hence the name "Mashan Stone Forest".
A fossil of Nanyang spruce, weighing about 2 tons, measuring 6 meters in length, with a thick end measuring 70 centimeters and a thin end measuring 60 centimeters, was discovered in 1983. It is a new species of wood fossil discovered in China. Columnar jointed stone forests are mostly developed in basalt, generally in the shape of hexagonal or pentagonal prisms, while Mashan stone forests are developed in andesite and have a square shape, which is relatively rare in geology. Travel Tips
Address:Within the Mashan National Nature Reserve on Qingwei Road, Jimo District, Qingdao City
Telephone:0532-55782830
Opening Hours:Open all day throughout the year
Admission ticket:CNY30