An ornamental stone will be showcased at the first Jinhua Ornamental Stone Fair on May 18. [Photo/Tide News]

The first Jinhua Ornamental Stone Fair is set to kick off at the Jinhua Mountain scenic area in Jinhua, Zhejiang province on May 18.

Running until May 31, the exhibition will showcase a diverse array of stones, with a primary focus on Huangla Stones, also known as yellow wax stones.

The fair will also feature rare and precious stones from various regions, including Gobi Stones from Inner Mongolia and Dahua Stones from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The event will bring together 350 stone farmers, merchants, enthusiasts, and collectors from 31 ornamental stone associations across the country to showcase and appreciate a wide variety of unique stones.

Ornamental stone culture, a product of the integration of literature, mineralogy, petrology, and geology, exemplifies the deep fusion of the humanities and natural sciences. In traditional Chinese culture, stones have always been important, ubiquitous in garden landscaping or as toys for scholars.

The value of collecting stones lies not only in their economic worth but, more importantly, in the historical and cultural significance they carry.

The unique stones found in the caves of Jinhua Mountain are truly a sight to behold, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

Editor: Xu Zhitian