Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, approximately 78 kilometers away from downtown Kunming. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a World Geopark, and a World Natural Heritage site. Covering a total area of 350 square kilometers, with the core scenic area spanning about 30 square kilometers, it boasts a unique karst landscape formed 270 million years ago, making it a rare geological wonder in China and even the world. Centered on the stone forest landscape characterized by "grandeur, uniqueness, steepness, elegance, and serenity", the scenic area integrates natural sightseeing, ethnic cultural experience, and popular science education. It mainly consists of scenic sections such as the Big Stone Forest, Small Stone Forest, Ten-Thousand-Year Ganoderma, and Liziyuan Valley, and is renowned as the "No.1 Wonder Under Heaven".
History and Culture
The Stone Forest Scenic Area is the hometown of the Sani people (a branch of the Yi ethnicity) and is rich in ethnic cultural heritage. The Sani people have created oral heritage culture represented by "Ashima", as well as folk activities like wrestling and the Big Sanxian Dance. Among them, the epic "Ashima" has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list. The stone carving "Stone Forest Scenic Beauty" within the scenic area was inscribed in 1733 by Wang Rizao, a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examination at the provincial level in the Qing Dynasty) and the magistrate of Lunan Prefecture, and it is a landmark cultural landscape of the Stone Forest. Additionally, the Stone Forest was an important activity area of the ancient Dian Kingdom in history. Archaeological discoveries have proven that humans lived here as early as the Neolithic Age, and relics such as ancient cliff paintings and ancient buildings are still preserved to this day.
Major Attractions
Big Stone Forest
As the core area of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, the Big Stone Forest covers an area of about 12 square kilometers and is famous for its dense clusters of stone peaks. The stone peaks here stand tall, with the highest reaching 40 meters, and come in various shapes. Attractions such as "Lotus Peak", "Sword Peak Pool", and "A Hair's Breadth from Death" are incredibly lifelike. The well-known stone carving "Stone Forest Scenic Beauty" is located at the entrance of the Big Stone Forest. The "Peak-Viewing Pavilion" is the best spot to overlook the entire Big Stone Forest. Climbing up the pavilion and looking into the distance, thousands of stone peaks stand like a forest of swords and spears, presenting a magnificent spectacle.
Small Stone Forest
Adjacent to the Big Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest covers an area of about 5 square kilometers and is dominated by delicate, clear, and elegant stone peaks. The most famous attraction here is the "Ashima Stone" — a stone peak approximately 20 meters high that resembles a Sani girl carrying a bamboo basket, standing gracefully. It is regarded as the incarnation of the beautiful goddess in the hearts of the Sani people. The Small Stone Forest also features attractions such as "Lover's Stone" and "Secluded Pool". With a quiet and peaceful environment, it is an ideal place for a leisurely walk and relaxation.
Ten-Thousand-Year Ganoderma
The Ten-Thousand-Year Ganoderma section gets its name from the stone peaks that resemble ganoderma lucidum (a type of medicinal fungus). Covering an area of about 10 square kilometers, the stone peaks here have a black surface and unique textures, looking like huge ganoderma caps. Among them, the largest "Ganoderma Stone" is approximately 15 meters high, with a circumference of about 30 meters at the base. The section also includes landscapes such as "Ancient Castle" and "Herd of Elephants Descending the Mountain", demonstrating the diversity of karst landforms.
Liziyuan Valley
Liziyuan Valley is one of the oldest areas in the Stone Forest Scenic Area, formed 270 million years ago and covering an area of about 8 square kilometers. The stone peaks here are short and dense, with a surface coverage rate of over 80%, forming a unique "stone sea" landscape. Due to its inaccessibility to many people, it has preserved the original karst ecosystem, making it an ideal place for geological research and hiking adventures.
Tour Route
Classic One-Day Tour Route: Arrive at the scenic area at 08:30, take a sightseeing bus to the entrance of the Big Stone Forest (09:00-12:00), and visit core attractions such as Stone Forest Scenic Beauty, Sword Peak Pool, and Peak-Viewing Pavilion in sequence. Have lunch at a restaurant near the Big Stone Forest at 12:30, and try local delicacies like milk cake and Sani roasted meat. Head to the Small Stone Forest at 14:00 (14:00-15:30) to admire the Ashima Stone and Lover's Stone, and take a stroll by the Secluded Pool. Take a sightseeing bus to the Ten-Thousand-Year Ganoderma section at 16:00 (16:00-17:00) to visit attractions like the Ganoderma Stone and Ancient Castle. Return to the scenic area gate at 17:30 to end the trip. If time permits, you can go hiking in Liziyuan Valley on the next morning (it is recommended to go in a group, and the whole journey takes about 3 hours).
Travel Tips
- Wear comfortable sports shoes: The walking distance within the scenic area is long, and the boardwalks between stone peaks are uneven. It is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes and avoid high heels or sandals.
- Bring sun protection items: Kunming has strong ultraviolet radiation, and the temperature can exceed 28°C in summer. Prepare sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses. In winter, pay attention to wind protection and keeping warm.
- Rent an audio guide: Electronic audio guides can be rented at the scenic area entrance (30 yuan per unit, with a deposit of 100 yuan). Alternatively, you can follow the official WeChat account of the scenic area to get free audio explanations and gain a deeper understanding of the geological and cultural stories behind the landscapes.
- Visit during off-peak hours: There are many tourists on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to enter the scenic area as early as possible on weekdays to avoid crowds, which also allows for cleaner photos of the Stone Forest.
Notes
- Protect the geological landscape: The Stone Forest is a non-renewable geological relic. Climbing or carving on the stone peaks is strictly prohibited, and violators will be fined 500-2000 yuan.
- Abide by the sightseeing bus rules: Get on and off the sightseeing bus only at designated stops. Do not stop the bus or force your way onto it at non-stop points. Hold onto the handrails during the ride to avoid falling.
- Respect ethnic customs: The Sani people live in the scenic area. When visiting, respect their religious beliefs and living habits, and do not take photos of local residents without permission.
- Beware of wild macaques: There are wild macaques in remote sections like Liziyuan Valley. Do not feed or provoke them, and keep your mobile phone, snacks, and other items safe to prevent them from being snatched.
- Keep your ticket safe: The ticket must be properly kept, as it may be checked for re-entry into the scenic area or when taking the sightseeing bus. If lost, you will need to buy a new ticket.
Transportation
- High-speed rail: Take a high-speed rail from Kunming Station/Kunming South Station to Shilin West Station. There are about 20 trains per day, with a travel time of 18-30 minutes and a ticket price of 25-45 yuan. After getting off the train, you can take Bus No. 99 (5 yuan per ticket) or a taxi (about 20 yuan) to the scenic area, and the whole journey takes about 20 minutes.
- Bus: Take the "Kunming-Shilin" special line bus from Kunming East Coach Station. Buses run from 07:00 to 19:00 every day, with one bus every 30 minutes. The travel time is about 2 hours, and the ticket price is 32 yuan. The terminal is Shilin County Town; transfer to Bus No. 5 (2 yuan per ticket) to the scenic area.
- Self-driving: Depart from downtown Kunming and drive along the Shantou-Kunming Expressway (G78). The total distance is about 85 kilometers, and the travel time is 1.5 hours. The scenic area has 3 large parking lots, with a parking fee of 10 yuan per day for cars and 20 yuan per day for large vehicles.
- Group tour: Major travel agencies in Kunming offer one-day group tour packages to the Stone Forest, including tickets, transportation, and a tour guide. The price is about 200-300 yuan per person, and Sani-style lunch is included. It is suitable for tourists visiting for the first time.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open year-round, from 07:30 to 18:00 daily (admission stops at 17:30). The sightseeing buses operate from 08:00 to 17:30. During legal holidays and summer vacation (July-August), the opening hours are extended to 18:30. Some areas may be temporarily closed due to special weather conditions (such as heavy rain or strong winds). It is recommended to check the real-time announcement of the scenic area before your trip.
Tickets
Adult ticket: 130 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat account of the scenic area "石林风景名胜区" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.