Lingbi Stone Qin Lithophone – 16-Piece Traditional Chinese Classical Musical Ins

Lingbi stone, also known as Lingbi Qing stone or the “Eight-Tone Stone,” comes from Qingyun Mountain in the northern part of Lingbi County, Anhui Province, China. Renowned for its exceptional sound, color, and quality, this unique stone produces a clear, resonant, and melodious tone when struck.

For thousands of years, Lingbi stone has been prized as a natural lithophone material. As early as the Warring States period, it was used to craft bianqing (sets of tuned stone chimes). Even earlier, during the Shang dynasty, artisans fashioned instruments such as the famous tiger-patterned stone qing. Its pure, lingering sound made it one of the most important materials in ancient Chinese court and ritual music.

In the Qing dynasty, Emperor Qianlong famously declared Lingbi stone the “Number One Stone under Heaven.”

To better preserve and share this ancient musical heritage, modern craftsmen in Lingbi have developed the Qingshi Qin (also called Shi Qin or Lingbi Stone Qin) — a refined, portable lithophone based on the traditional bianqing. Carefully selected and precisely tuned slabs of Lingbi stone are arranged to form a playable instrument that delivers the distinctive crystalline voice of the stone.

Beyond its musical qualities, Lingbi stone is traditionally believed to possess spiritual properties. In Chinese culture it is valued for its ability to ward off negative energy, attract prosperity, and bring good fortune. Scientific analysis has also shown that the stone contains more than a dozen beneficial trace elements.

Whether displayed as an elegant decorative piece or played as a traditional Chinese musical instrument, a Lingbi stone qin adds refined cultural character to any home while connecting its owner to one of China’s oldest and most distinctive artistic traditions.