Location & How to Get There

Guilin Stone House sits quietly at the foot of Purple Mountain (Zijin Mountain) in Nanjing, China. The exact address is No.7 Shixiang Road, Xuanwu District, making it a hidden gem near the famous Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. To reach here, take Metro Line 2 to Xiamafang Station, then walk or ride a bike along Shixiang Road. The entrance is easy to miss, so keep an eye out for stone tablets with historical info—they’ll guide you to this tucked-away spot.

Natural Scenery: A Rocky Retreat

Nestled among lush trees, Guilin Stone House feels like a secret carved into the mountain. The area buzzes with cicadas in summer and turns golden in autumn. Over 170 stone steps lead up to the ruins, flanked by ancient cinnamomum trees (the name “Guilin” means “fragrant forest” in Chinese). Even in winter, the rough-hewn stones and twisted roots create a dramatic contrast with the bare branches. A stream nearby adds gentle sounds, though the real showstopper is the stone drainage ditch behind the house—a clever design to stop floodwater, built with textured “tiger-skin” stones.

This isn’t just any old ruin. Guilin Stone House was once the