Home > Travel Attractions > Stone Forest
Large   |  Small

Stone Forest

Stars:

  • Summary
  • Picture
  • lines
  • Destination
  • Comments
    1. Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, enjoys great fame among tourists not only because the region features a consistently warm climate, but also thanks to its wonderful vistas and landscapes. Among the most dramatic of these attractions is the Stone Forest (Shilin), known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) as the 'First Wonder of the World.'

      The Stone Forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kunming and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as many other scenic spots. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.

      Walking through the Stone Forest, visitors marvel at the natural stone masterpieces and are bewitched by the intricate formations. The magnificent, strange and steep landscape creates countless labyrinthine vistas, including:

      Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest, all of which feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. Some are elegant, some are rugged, and each is lifelike with its own distinguishing characteristics.

      Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave, an underground stone forest distributed among several caves and occupying a total area of about three square kilometers (720 acres).

      Strange Wind Cave, composed of Penfeng Cave, Hongxi Spring and an underground river. From August to November, gales lasting two to three minutes sweep out of the cave every 30 minutes.

      Long Lake is a karsts lake that is three kilometers (two miles) long but only 300 meters (zero point two miles) wide. The lake features underwater stalagmites and stalactites and a small island in the center of the water.

      The source of the Dadie Waterfall, Ba River, is a branch of Nanpan River. In the rainy season, up to 150 cubic meters (196 cubic yards) of water per square inch plummet down the 88 meter (288 feet) drop.

      Geologists say the Stone Forest is a typical example of karsts topography. Approximately 270 million years ago - during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era - the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over time, the movements of the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. Due to constant erosion by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day Stone Forest.

      Many beautiful legends originate in this magical place, passed along by the native people known as Sani, a branch of the Yi ethnic group. One particular story about the faithful love of Ashima, a beautiful, clever and warm-hearted Sani girl, is the most popular and has been told for thousands of years. The Sani people celebrate their national festival - the Torch Festival - every lunar year on June 24. They take part in traditional performances such as wrestling, bull fighting, pole-climbing, dragon-playing, lion-dancing and the A-xi Moon Dance. During this time, the Stone Forest is alive with a particularly joyful, festive atmosphere, making the area even more attractive than usual. However, the Stone Forest - with its sculptures engraved by nature, herself - is always a true miracle for visitors to behold.

      Admission Fee: CNY 140
      Recommended Time
      for a Visit:
      Two hours
      Opening Hours: 08:30 to 18:00

      The Attraction Pictures
      PingYao
      PingYao
      PingYao
      PingYao
      PingYao
      PingYao
      PingYao
      PingYao
      Related lines
         
      9 days & 8 nights Sichuan and Tibet Exploration Tour
      $ 1690.0
      Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa  
      Featured itineraries at CTE can take you to the remote, ethnic minority areas in China and help you to understand the exotic, romantic and even primitive aspects of these groups as they really are. You will be surprised and excited as you discover the ethnic diversity of various regions within China.
         
      9 days & 8 nights Sichuan and Tibet Exploration Tour
      $ 1690.0
      Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa  
      • Featured itineraries at CTE can take you to the remote, ethnic minority areas in China and help you to understand the exotic, romantic and even primitive aspects of these groups as they really are. You will be surprised and excited as you discover the ethnic diversity of various regions within China.
         
      9 days & 8 nights Sichuan and Tibet Exploration Tour
      $ 1690.0
      Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa  
      • Featured itineraries at CTE can take you to the remote, ethnic minority areas in China and help you to understand the exotic, romantic and even primitive aspects of these groups as they really are. You will be surprised and excited as you discover the ethnic diversity of various regions within China.
         
      9 days & 8 nights Sichuan and Tibet Exploration Tour
      $ 1690.0
      Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa  
      • Featured itineraries at CTE can take you to the remote, ethnic minority areas in China and help you to understand the exotic, romantic and even primitive aspects of these groups as they really are. You will be surprised and excited as you discover the ethnic diversity of various regions within China.
         
      9 days & 8 nights Sichuan and Tibet Exploration Tour
      $ 1690.0
      Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa  
      • Featured itineraries at CTE can take you to the remote, ethnic minority areas in China and help you to understand the exotic, romantic and even primitive aspects of these groups as they really are. You will be surprised and excited as you discover the ethnic diversity of various regions within China.
         
      9 days & 8 nights Sichuan and Tibet Exploration Tour
      $ 1690.0
      Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa  
      • Featured itineraries at CTE can take you to the remote, ethnic minority areas in China and help you to understand the exotic, romantic and even primitive aspects of these groups as they really are. You will be surprised and excited as you discover the ethnic diversity of various regions within China.
         
      9 days & 8 nights Sichuan and Tibet Exploration Tour
      $ 1690.0
      Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa  
      • Featured itineraries at CTE can take you to the remote, ethnic minority areas in China and help you to understand the exotic, romantic and even primitive aspects of these groups as they really are. You will be surprised and excited as you discover the ethnic diversity of various regions within China.
      Chui trip on the lake
      The company recently participated in the one-day half expand training activities, through this training, I have benefited from that, life unforgettable. Through coaching, I understand the original "Outward Bound" is a test of will and wisdom, and tap potential and teamwork spirit of the campaign, but its not completely belong to the scope of sports. Because of time constraints, we participated in the project, not many, but it is these small projects, let me come to understand the importance of teamwork. The event, under the arrangement of the coaches being carried out in good order, and each item in the design and arrangement are very creative, especially after the end of each project experience and the experience of all the coaches comments, sum up, and people emotionally, popular inspired. Most of the three projects is the project team, including the Broken Bridge is a project of self-challenge. Experienced in the challenges and stimulation, I was left to more reflection. Broken Bridge, the challenge of personal self-item can be "terrifying" four words to sum up. Project design and organization is very simple, just two disconnect between the wooden planks to do a simple jump back and forth, but it was shelved two wooden planks in the eight, nine-metre high tree. On the ground looking at the rise of the distance between the two wooden boards, I feel very close distance, it seems that can be lightly leaped past. When their chatter Chanweiwei climbed to 8, 9-metre-high scaffold, narrow wooden planks come to the end of Looking at the opposite one another narrow wooden planks, I immediately silly. On the night so far? I wonder what their own, I can jump past? So in the narrow wooden planks, I will rise? Partial will jump? At this moment, the opposite is so far little wooden boards, I could not help but begging for the old coach, "do not jump?" The coach says it is the answer: "No!" He then used the relaxed tone said "Do you think so many Hom life are gone, this is a simple jump Suandeile? think yesterday's" dark, eyes closed "game until the final才被that you are" murderers " , reflecting the quality of your psychological well ah, jump! you must visit. "After listening to coach remarks, I relax a little, but fear still haunting the normal operation of the board to continue the stalemate. Almost 20 minutes later, no way, the coach said, "If we do not jump, I will push you!" I know that the posterior can be no retreat, so will Xinyiguang, Zongshen jumped results secured fallen on the The opposite appears to narrow board, a look back, not far ah, only one meter just…… "Air a small step, a big step in life", in fact, we will be in life often face such challenges, knowledge and skills is only tangible capital, is the will and spirit of the invisible forces. The activities of deep indeed, I think the most important thing is for our future work, study and life to inspire and guide. This is a valuable asset.
      Jiuzhai's Comments List
      • Lucy (2008-02-26 10:30:37)

        The activities of deep indeed, I think the most important thing is for our future work, study and life to inspire and guide. This is a valuable asset.

      • Lucy (2008-02-26 10:30:37)

        The activities of deep indeed, I think the most important thing is for our future work, study and life to inspire and guide. This is a valuable asset.

      • Lucy (2008-02-26 10:30:37)

        The activities of deep indeed, I think the most important thing is for our future work, study and life to inspire and guide. This is a valuable asset.

      • Lucy (2008-02-26 10:30:37)

        The activities of deep indeed, I think the most important thing is for our future work, study and life to inspire and guide. This is a valuable asset.

      • Lucy (2008-02-26 10:30:37)

        The activities of deep indeed, I think the most important thing is for our future work, study and life to inspire and guide. This is a valuable asset.

      Your Nickname: