The Stone Forest, Kunming
Chinese Name: 石林
English Name: Stone Forest
Type: Geologic Formations, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Nature & Parks, Sights & Landmarks
Best Time: All Year Around
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 Day
Opening Hours: 08:00 ~ 17:00
Ticket:175 RMB for ticket and 30 RMB for shuttle bus
Location: About 78 kilometers away from Kunming City.
Why is Stone Forest so special?
The most dramatic of these attractions in Kunming is the Stone Forest, known since the Ming Dynasty as the ‘First Wonder of the World’. An old local saying says that ‘If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.’ Obviously, ranking the first at its age, size and typical formation, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.
Introduction
History of Stone Forest
Geographically, the Stone Forest is a special topography called Karst landform, which is mainly formed by the chemical reation that limestone can be eroded by water with carbon dioxide. The specific formation of Stone Forest can date back to about 270 million years ago. At that time, this area was a part of ocean in which many oceanic living beings inhabited. As time went by, the corpses piled up gradually and fossilized into a thick limestone seabed, which rose up to form a table land because of the movements of the earth’s crust. Then a large number of lava from volcanoe eruption covered the limestone and cooled down, forming a thick basalt protective layer consequently. About 50 million years ago, the basalt layer flaked away and the water from rainfall and underground slowly eroded the limestone surface.
Main Attractions in Stone Forest
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.
● Minor Stone Forest(小石林）
The Minor Stone Forest is also call Ashima Scenic Area. The big and thick stone walls like a screen deliver this scenic area into several parts. Of all, the most famous scenic spot is ‘Ashima’. When the night comes, it is colorful and charming under the glittering lights.
● Major Stone Forest（大石林）
The Major Stone Forest consists of intensive stone peaks, just like a stretch of stone basin. The stone forests here have straight shapes and smooth lines, among which the highest stone pillar is more than 40 meters in height.The magnificent, strange, and steep landscape creates countless sights, including Lotus Peak, Ashima Rock, Sword Peak Pond, Shilin Lake, and ‘a Gleam of Sky’.
● Long Lake (长湖)
Long Lake is a karst lake that is three kilometers (two miles) long but only 300 meters 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.
Legend & Minority Culture
Story about Ashima
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. As the legend goes, Ashima was kidnapped by an lanlord’s son and forced into marriage. Her lover, Ahei, made every effort to save her. However, on the way home, Ashima was swept away by a flood and turned into what is known as the Ashima Rock, which can be found in the Minor Stone Forest. Her passion and perseverance for freedom and true love still encourage today’s Sani people.
Torch Festival of Sani People
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 particular0ve atmosphere, making the area even more attractive than usual.
