Deep in the heart of the Yunnan Province of China you’ll find the capital city of Kunming. Covered year round with a colorful layer of trees and plant life, Kunming is an incredibly popular destination amongst tourist from around the world, not just because of its appealing climate and atmosphere but because it is home to some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the country, including the incredible Yunnan Stone Forest, also known to locals as Shilin.

The History of the Yunnan Stone Forest

Scientists believe that the development of what is today’s Yunnan Stone Forest began more than 270 million years ago. Over time the limestone landscape was etched away due to the natural elements, including rain and wind, as well as due to the movement of the nearby Dadie Waterfall at the Ba River. Over time this once serene landscape began to form into a collection of pillars and peaks, each reaching higher and higher into the sky.

The park, which used to sit on the floor of the sea before crustal movement caused the land to form, is believed to have been discovered sometime during the Ming Dynasty and while it has never made it onto a formal list there are many who believe that the Yunnan Stone Forest is one of the original wonders of the world.

The park is located approximately 75 miles away from the city of Kunming and covers nearly 96,000 square acres of land. The area is split into three distinct sections: the Major Stone Forest, the Minor Stone Forest, and the Naigu Stone Forest. Each features a myriad of rock formations, all with their own unique characteristics. While walking through the forests you’ll notice that some of the rocks are shaped like animals or plants, some seem elegantly placed, and others look as though they truly belong in a rugged forest atmosphere.

Attractions within the Yunnan Stone Forest Park

As you explore the gorgeous Yunnan Stone Forest Park you’ll find a number of naturally made attractions. Strange Wind Cave, for example, stems from the famous Penfeng Cave and one of the area’s stunning underground rivers. During the late summer and early fall months you can expect to feel a long gale of wind blow out from within the caves every half hour.

If you head towards Long Lake, on the other hand, you’ll find yourself face to face with another incredible site. Those who are daring enough to scuba dive or snorkel through the area will find themselves surrounded by amazing underwater stalactites and stalagmites.

Within the  Zhiyun Cave you’ll find what is often referred to as the Subterranean Stone Forest. This area actually consists of a small collection of caves, ranging approximately 720 acres, in which a collection of gorgeous underground forest pillars can be found.

Yunnan Stone Forest Legend and Tradition

As with so many other incredible places, the Chinese have a set of legends that are believed to have stemmed from the Yunnan Stone Forest. The most popular is the story of Ashima, a gorgeous Sani girl who was believed to have come from the area.

Every year the Sani people honor Ashima by holding their Torch Festival on the forest grounds. The lunar year festival features a wide variety of games and activities, including pole climbing, lion dancing, wrestling, and much more.

There aren’t enough words to describe the breathtaking beauty that is the Yunnan Stone Forest. The park is kept immaculately clean and the grounds are well manicured, so the only things you’ll have to look at are gorgeous formations in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Pack your walking shoes, bring a camera, block a few hours on your itinerary, and head towards the Yunnan Stone Forest. This is one Kunming attraction you’ll regret missing out on.

Posted in China

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at 11:46 am and is filed under China. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.