Sibeihou Village in Shilin County, Kunming

Sibeihou Village is named after its location behind the ruins of an ancient temple, although no temple structures remain today. The village has deep historical ties to the surrounding landscape, making it an important part of the region’s heritage.

Location and Strategic Advantage

Sibeihou Village is located just 2 kilometers from the famous Naigu Stone Forest (Naigu Shilin), a key part of the Shilin Karst Geomorphological Scenic Area. It plays a crucial role as a major stop along the Shilin Karst Tourism Circuit, providing a complementary experience to the more famous Stone Forest.

Ethnic and Cultural Heritage

The village is home to the Yi (彝族) ethnic group, particularly the Sani sub-group, known for their unique customs and traditions. The village retains many traditional wooden and earthen homes, giving visitors a glimpse into the rural life and architecture of the Yi people. Sibeihou is rich in Sani cultural influences, making it a perfect place to explore Yi heritage, language, and craftsmanship.

Core Experiences

1. Natural Landscape

Karst Geomorphology and Rock Formations

The surrounding area of Sibeihou features striking, sword-shaped Karst stone pillars, typical of the Shilin region. These natural formations complement the scenic beauty of the Stone Forest (Shilin), enhancing the overall visitor experience and offering great photo opportunities.

Seasonal Flower Sea Project

In 2024, Sibeihou Village will launch a 1,000-acre flower sea project. This will transform the area into a vibrant, blooming landscape, attracting visitors year-round. The village will also feature an immersive light show at night, creating a magical atmosphere for nighttime exploration.

2. Cultural Experiences

Sani Cuisine and Traditions

Visitors to Sibeihou Village can experience the Sani people's rich culinary traditions, including the famous "Eight Bowls Feast" (Yi Jia Ba Da Wan), where guests can sample a variety of local dishes. A signature feature of this feast is the use of mint and chili dipping sauces, giving the food a distinctive and refreshing flavor.

Handicrafts and Cultural Workshops

Sibeihou Village is also known for its traditional Yi handicrafts, particularly Yi Embroidery (彝族刺绣). Visitors can take part in workshops that teach these age-old techniques, providing a hands-on cultural experience. The village offers various cultural activities, allowing tourists to learn about and appreciate the local arts and crafts of the Sani people.

The Development of Sibeihou Village

Yunnan Naigu Stone Forest(乃古石林) was opened to the public in April 2010, but there were few supporting service facilities, such as catering, accommodation, leisure and entertainment, and few tourists.  After the investigation, Kunming Shilin county committee, and the government decided to merge Naigu Stone Forest with the adjacent Sibeihou Village(寺背后村) and Shifeng Temple(石峰寺) to promote mutual prosperity and development. Sibeihou Village of Naigu Stone Forest is a typical Yi village, because it relies on the traditional farming production for a long time, the economic development is relatively backward. However, with obvious regional advantages, profound ethnic culture, and beautiful natural environment, it has a good endowment of developing rural tourism. Today, Sibeihou Village is verdant, clean and tidy, and the village looks peaceful and beautiful inside and outside. In 2014, Sibeihou Village of Hemozhan(和摩站) village committee, Shilin County was named as one of the first batch of "characteristic villages of ethnic minority in China" by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission.

Where is Sibeihou Village

Sibeihou Village(寺背后村) is located in the northwest of Shilin County, Kunming, 2 kilometers away from the Hemozhan(和摩站) village committee and 20 kilometers away from Shilin County. It covers an area of 4.66 square kilometers, 1825 meters above the sea level. Annual average temperature is of 14.5 ℃, and annual rainfall of 850 mm, Sibeihou Village is suitable for the cultivation of crops.

Basic Overview:

• Location: Sibehou Village is located in the northwest of Shilin Yi Autonomous County in Yunnan Province, under the jurisdiction of Shilin Town and Hemozhan Administrative Village. It is 2 kilometers away from both the Hemozhan Village Committee and the center of Shilin Town.
• Area and Terrain: The village covers a land area of 4.66 square kilometers, characterized by semi-mountainous terrain with an elevation of 1,825 meters.
• Climate: The village has an average annual temperature of 14.5°C and an annual rainfall of 850 millimeters, making it suitable for growing various crops.
• Economy: The main source of income for local farmers is agriculture and animal husbandry.

Ethnicity and Culture:

• Sibehou Village is a typical Yi ethnic village. In 2014, it was recognized by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission as one of the first "Chinese Ethnic Minority Characteristic Villages."
• Traditional Festivals: The village hosts traditional Yi ethnic festivals such as the Torch Festival and the Mizhi Festival each year, which effectively preserve and promote Yi culture. These festivals attract numerous tourists and cultural enthusiasts.

Nearby Attractions:

• Naigu Stone Forest Scenic Area: Sibehou Village is close to the Naigu Stone Forest, a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Known for its unique karst landscape, Naigu Stone Forest is an important part of the larger Stone Forest Scenic Area and attracts many visitors.
• Taiwan Farmers Pioneer Park (Tai Chuang Yuan): This is the only Taiwan Farmers Pioneer Park in Yunnan Province, combining agricultural development with sightseeing tourism, offering various experiential activities.
• Shilin Xinglin Grand View Garden: Covering an area of 3,000 acres, this garden features attractions such as Xinglin Zen Temple, Cherry Blossom Valley Medicinal Cuisine Park, wooden house hotels, Shihai Hot Springs, and the Grand View Garden itself, making it an ideal destination for leisure tourism and cultural experiences.

Shilin Wanjiahua Blueberry Manor:

• Area and Theme: Spanning over 5,000 acres, the manor is themed around "experiencing rural scenery and enjoying a healthy lifestyle." It leverages the unique natural environment of Shilin, integrating natural lakes, pristine stone landscapes, and efficient agriculture, primarily focused on blueberry cultivation.
• Activities and Experiences: The manor offers various activities, including sightseeing, blueberry picking, science education, and leisure vacations, aiming to create a high-quality agritourism destination that combines agricultural tourism with luxury rural experiences.

Rural Revitalization:

• Sibehou Village is a model for rural revitalization in Shilin County. By developing specialty agriculture, ethnic cultural tourism, and rural vacation projects, the village has improved the economic income and living standards of local residents. This approach has also promoted the protection and inheritance of ethnic culture.

Nearby Attractions

Stone Forest
Large Stone Forest in Shilin County

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit is from March to October. Most ethnic festivals are celebrated during this time, and travelers can also appreciate various flowers.

How to Get There

Bus and train are main means of transportation from Kunming to Shilin County. Stone Forest Scenic Area is about 11 kilometers from Sibeihou Village(寺背后村), you can take a taxi or minibus.

1. By Bus 

Stone Forest is 78 kilometers from Kunming. Travelers can take buse at bus stations from Kunming to Stone Forest Scenic Area. In addition, there are travel buses from Kunming Changshui International Airport, and it takes about 2 hours.

Kunming East Bus Station-Stone Forest Scenic Area

Departure Time: 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 17:30

Price: 34 CNY

Distance: 84 Kilometers

Consume Time: About 1.5 hours

2. By Train

There is a railway station in Shilin County, named Shilin West Railway Station. Departing from Shilin West Railway Station, it is about 32 kilometers to Sibeihou Village, about 45 minutes.

Kunming South Railway Station-Shilin West Railway Station

Departure Time: 7:54, 8:28, 10:39, 12:16, 13:06, 17:10, 19:10

Price: 18 CNY

Distance: About 60 Kilometers

Consume Time: 20 minutes

Kunming Railway Station-Shilin West Railway Station

Departure Time: 10:36, 13:35, 13:52, 17:12

Price: 28.5 CNY

Distance: 108 Kilometers

Consume Time: 48 minutes

Accommodation at Sibeihou Village

Travelers can stay overnight in Shilin County after visit, and there are some 3-star hotels in the county. However, most travelers choose to go back to Kunming for accommodation. Kunming has more choices for travelers and it's more convenient to transfer to your next destination from Kunming.

Useful Travel Tips

1. June 24th in Chinese lunar calendar is the traditional Torch Festival of Yi people.

2. The entrance ticket for the Stone Forest is ¥175/person. The ticket for cable car in the scenic area is ¥25/person. The dance show in the scenic area is free.

3. You can pay a visit to stone forest first, then go to Sibeihou village(寺背后村). You can experience Yi ethnic culture and taste local food here.

Tours Including Stone Forest

1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Group Tour
1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Tour by High Speed Train
1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Tour with Nuohei Ethnic Village Discovery
1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Tour with Yunnan Ethnic Villages
1 Day Kunming Dongchuan Red Land Tour
1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Tour