Stone Forest (Shilin)

Background

The Stone Forest lies in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan, about 90 kilometres east of Kunming. The karst formations cover about 500 square kilometres, and the scenic area is divided into seven parts: the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests, Naigu Stone Forest, Zhiyun Cave, Chang Lake, Yue Lake, Dadieshui Waterfall and Qifeng Cave. The limestone here is more than 270 million years old, and long weathering and erosion shaped it into today's peak forest. In 2007, Naigu Stone Forest and Suogeyi Village were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the South China Karst. The Stone Forest is home to the Yi people, whose legends, festivals, songs and dances have grown up alongside the stone landscape.

Local customs

• Walk the paths through the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests and pick out rocks shaped like figures
• take a boat on Chang Lake and see Dadieshui Waterfall
• during the Yi Torch Festival on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, watch folk singing, dancing and wrestling contests.

Travel tips

• The scenic area is large, so allow plenty of time and wear non-slip shoes
• check official notices for tickets and opening details. From Kunming, you can take a high-speed train to Shilin West Station and transfer, or take a long-distance coach
• check official notices for schedules.
• The area can be visited all year round, with mild weather in spring and autumn
• the rock surfaces are slippery in the rainy season, so watch your footing.