Our guide told us, June 24 -- Your tour guide is likely to advise you against photographing a certain rock in a historic world heritage site in north-western Beijing, China. They will say that it may bring poverty or misfortune to your household.

"Do not take a picture of that stone. It has bad luck."

But curiosity could not allow this writer to leave without at least photographing the plaque in front of the stone. The plaque labels it the Azure Lingzhi Rock.

"This colossal stone, known for its azure hue and moist texture resembling a lingzhi mushroom, was discovered by the Ming Dynasty official Mi Wanzhong in Beijing's Fangshan district. While being transported to Mi Shao's garden, financial constraints forced its abandonment in the w...