The night view of Guihu Town

Recently, the official website of the Geological Society of China announced the results of the "Third Batch of Geological Culture Village (Town) Selection," after the public notice period. Guihu Town in Taishun County has successfully been selected as a national three-star geological culture town, making it the first nationally recognized geological culture town in Wenzhou. Among the geological culture villages (towns) selected this time, there are 1 five-star, 17 three-star villages and towns, and other 28 ones on the preparatory list at the national level.

A geological culture village (town) refers to a village or town that leverages its geological resources and heritage. It deeply integrates geological science and culture into rural and town development, fosters distinctive industries and economic growth, enhances the quality of life and cultural connotation in the countryside or town, and ultimately creates a unique village or town that is suitable for living and working.

Guihu, formerly known as Guifu, derives its name from its resemblance to a resting auspicious turtle. It is located at the southernmost tip of Taishun County and is an ancient border trading town known as "a town spanning Zhejiang and Fujian, at the convergence of three counties." The total area of the town is 52.7 square kilometers, and it enjoys a reputation as the "Silver Capital of the Ming Dynasty" and the "World Capital of Wax."

Approximately 130 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period, the local region experienced intense volcanic eruptions, resulting in the formation of thick layers of acidic volcanic clastic rocks. These volcanic sediments accumulated in the lake basin. As volcanic hydrothermal fluids ascended, they underwent hydrothermal alteration of the stratified volcanic rocks, creating deposits resembling layered muscovite mineral beds. With subsequent intrusions of subvolcanic rocks, silver-bearing hydrothermal fluids filled fractures and underwent alteration, forming vein-type silver polymetallic ore deposits.

Guihu prospered due to its silver mines. In the third year of the Ming Dynasty's Chenghua era (1467), the Guihu area was the primary silver-producing region in Zhejiang, contributing more than one-third of the province's tax revenue. The saying "Three thousand silver miners, four thousand travelers" recorded the peak of mining activity during that time, and Taishun County was established brcause of the famous Guihu silver mine. There are still remnants of the mining industry, such as the seven-gate silver caves, ancient silver mining routes, and the site of the Eunuch's Mansion, which can be faintly seen to this day.

Guihu also became wealthy because of its muscovite mineral deposits. In the 1980s, a massive muscovite mineral deposit was discovered in Guihu, making it an important muscovite production base in China. High-quality  stones for carving hidden within this deposit are known as "Taishun Stones."

Currently, Guihu Town is focusing on the theme of "geology plus innovation and creativity" to create the "Chinese National Stone" and enhance the reputation of Taishun Stones. The "Chinese Stone Carving Town," centered around the aesthetic creativity of Taishun Stones, has gained recognition. It has already established geological and cultural exhibition venues such as the Taishun Stone Display Center, Taishun Stone Theme Park, Silver Culture Exhibition Hall, and Seals Park. Supporting facilities for accommodation, dining, and transportation have been steadily improving, and the development of geological and cultural products like stone carvings, seals, pendants, and more is on the rise.