Yunnan Stone Forest

The Stone Forest lies in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County in Kunming, over one hundred and twenty kilometers to the southeast of Kunming. It has long been one of the most famous scenic spots in China ever since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) according to historical records.

The Stone Forest covers a vast area of 400,000 acres including the big and small stone forests, and other scenic spots such as the " Moon Lake", " Dadie Waterfall", " Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave".

It is only a three-hour drive by bus from Kunming directly to the Stone Forest. Walking along the paths by the side of the guesthouses in the midst of the forest, one can see a huge rock screen on which two big words, " Stone Forest" are engraved in official script (an ancient style of calligraphy used in the Han Dynasty, 206 B.C-220 A.D.). The moment a person enters the forest, they will be overwhelmed with one miraculous view after another will appear. The first sight is the "Sword Peak Pond" with jadeite-colored water so clear that one can see to the bottom. Leaning against the red railing by the pond, one can enjoy the peculiar reflection of the countless stone peaks assuming a thousand different shapes, all fanciful and picturesque and goldfish leisurely wagging the tail in the pond. Walking on, one would be greatly fascinated by the sublimity and grandeur of the Stone Forest, and cannot help recalling to mind many beautifully moving legends or fairy tales. Some stone peaks and rock pillars seem to have sprung perpendicularly from the ground: some appear hanging by a hair with the momentary threat of crashing down; some blossoming like mushrooms, soaring to the skies. In the legend of Sani nationality, those gigantic rocks are said to be the ancient hero incarnated after a brave battle bravely with flood demons.

According to geologist's studies and ancient records, the Stone Forest was a vast expanse of sea in the carboniferous period of Paleozoic era, which commenced 270 million years ago. Later the movement of the earth's crust gradually caused the sea to recede and the limestone bottom began to rise up, hence the unique land mass. This phenomena was due to the constant seeping of rain through the cracks of the layer of the limestone that dissolved the stone and broadened the fissures. The area eventually became this typical karst physiognomy, a rare wonder of the world as a group of great sculptures molded by nature.

The splendor of the unique setting is enhanced by another feature, nameley the local custom of the native Sani people, which is a branch of the Yi nationality. Sani people are industrious, unconstrained and very hospitable. Each Sani female is raised to be skillful at spinning, weaving and embroidering. They like to wear rainbow-colored headgear and bright dresses. The Sani people are talented, singing and dancing, especially the young people. The sunset ritual is for the young boys and girls to gather at the village platform under the moonlight. While the boys play the three-stringed plucked instruments, the girls clap their hands and dance enthusiastically to the drumbeats the strong-rhythm traditional dance" A-xi Dance in the Moon". They welcome tourists with a warm invitation to join the dancing with guided instruction. This becomes a lively exchange with their sincerity and tourists are often reluctant to part.

Every lunar year on June 24th, the Sani people celebrate their national festival, the Torch Festival. The entire Stone Forest is filled with a festival atmosphere on that day. Traditional performances like wrestling and bull-fights take place in the forest. As darkness envelopes the forest like a curtain of night, young men holding torches aloft in their hands run after girls to propose marriage under the light of colored lanterns. This is an enchanting setting for the thousands of curious tourists giving them an unforgettable impression of the Stone Forest and the local people's traditions.

Go to other highlights in Yunnan>>> Western Hill