Stone Forest

Introducing Stone Forest
Situated in Shilin Yi Autonomous County 80 km from Kunming, is a set of limestone formations in the manner of stalagmites, many of which resemble petrified trees creating the very real illusion of a forest made of stone. That is Stone Forest. Stone Forest is the result of the dissolution of limestone by wind and rain which commenced in the Permian Period, about 270 million years ago, and is ongoing. It is considered superlative natural phenomena and a world reference and listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Stone Forest Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Shi Lin 石林
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 to 4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Hiking, Stones
• Opening Hours: 07:30-18:30 from Mar to Oct; 08:00-18:00 from Nov to Feb
• Entrance Fee: CNY130 including the Major Stone Forest & Karst Museum
• Address: Shilin Middle Road, Shilin County, Kunming, Yunnan Province

What to expect at Stone Forest

The Stone Forest is a region of typical karst formation covering an area of more than three hundred square kilometers. Extensive deposits of sandstone overlain by limestone accumulated in this basin during the Permian period of geologic time. Uplift of this region occurred subsequent to deposition and exposure to wind and running water shaped these limestone ridges. These formations extend as far as the eye can see, looking like a vast forest of stone, hence the name "the Stone Forest". The Forest contains peaks, pillars, stalagmites, depressions, underground rivers and caves. The Stone Forest

According to legend, the Stone Forest is the birthplace of Ashima, a beautiful girl from the Yi people who was forbidden to marry her true lover and in anguish turned into stone in the forest that still bears her name. The Yi people celebrate their Torch Festival on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month with folk dances and other festive activities. Visitors can also experience the ethnic culture of the Sani people, a branch of the Yi people, who live in and around the area surrounding the Stone Forest.

How to get to Stone Forest
• Go from Shilin county by bus: take a bus from Shilin Bus Station to Stone Forest Scenic Area; take a train to Shilin West Railway Station and then take bus No. 99 to Stone Forest Scenic Area.
• Go from Kunming by bus: take a tourist bus from Kungming East Bus Station to Stone Forest Scenic Area directly; take the Special Bus Line from Kunming Airport to Stone Forest Scenic Area.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Kunming to Stone Forest. 

Additional travel advice on Stone Forest
• Please wear comfortable hiking shoes and watch out your steps while hiking.
• It always rain with thunder from May to October. Please prepare a raincoat and pay attention to the notice for weather forecast in the scenic area. Do not shelter from the rain under trees, stone cliffs, etc., Do not use mobile phones or bring metal objects during thunderstorms. Go to nearby shelters in time to avoid lightning strikes.