The stone forest is known as “the first marvellous sight around the world”, which is covered by a huge area (400 sq km) and situated in Shilin Yi Ethnic Autonomous Country. As we were in Kunming, we had to travel about 86 miles south to reach the Yi ethnic country. This area is divided into seven scenic spots: the large and the small stone forest, the black loos crag, the flying dragon waterfall, Changhu lake, Month lake, the iris cloud hole, and the wonderful wind tunnel.
Now let me explain how these giant rocks came out from the ground. From our tourist guide, we came to know that this topography is known as karst landform (named after the most typical Karst Plateau in northwest Yugoslavia). This landform is special because it is gone through several formations like corrosion, precipitation, collapse, foundering, accumulation, and other phenomena of the dissolution of water. These special landforms include the stone forest, the stone peak, the clint, a buried river, a fantastic vauclusian spring and numerous lakes.
Now what I understand is that around 270 million years ago, this region was vastly covered by the sea. Then over one year of movement, the lithosphere surface of our earth gradually rises by replacing the water and creates a limestone landscape. It takes several decades to come into this present form of stone forest. These stones are likely 20 to 50 meters high from the ground.
To reach the Peak View Pavilion, we had to hick through the stones which were cut as stairs. Though it was a sunny day, when I came close to the stones it felt like I am touching something cold, steady giant mountain which was under the ground for several centuries. It was definitely giving me goosebumps!
After reaching the top of the peak view pavilion, I just get mesmerized by the panoramic view of this alluring, steep landscape of the forest. The view will soothe your eyes!
On this point, I want to give a piece of travel advice, while coming down from the peak view, be careful with your steps as they are made of sloppy stones. I was making a video of the stones and suddenly slipped on the stairs. It didn’t hurt much but my favourite wristwatch got broken. So, it was quite a lesson for me.
Also, you should take sneakers or climbing boots for climbing the place. As it is covered by a huge area, always try to get along with your groups, otherwise, you will get lost!
After coming down from the peak, we were resting beside this huge stone, while one of our volunteers told us a myth about the stone. It was about a girl called Ashima. She a beautiful girl from the Yi ethnic people. Legends said that she fell in love with someone but her family didn’t approve of it. She came here and waited beside this riverbank for her lover, but after a long period, she turned into this rock. This stone also reminds people to hold fast for their lovers.
While we were coming back, we came across a bridge from where, the view was more mesmerizing!
And as it was a tourist spot, there were also some vendors with their local products.
An interesting fact is, that this area has a comfortable and pleasant spring climate in all four seasons which makes the forest an excellent place for sightseeing and holidays. In 2004, the stone forest is labelled as the World Geopark assessed by UNESCO.
Sp lastly, it is really an excellent place to visit if you are in Kunming. It feels so unreal seeing those gigantic stones!
Happy travelling!