{"id":788,"date":"2026-09-27T10:22:52","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T10:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=788"},"modified":"2026-09-27T10:22:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T10:22:52","slug":"the-stone-forest","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=788","title":{"rendered":"The Stone Forest"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1x3r274 r-p1pxzi\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">The Stone Forest (Shilin \/ \u77f3\u6797) in Yunnan, China<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">, is a spectacular karst landscape of towering limestone pillars, often called a \u201cforest of stone.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-adyw6z r-135wba7 r-b88u0q\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Key Facts<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Location<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">: Shilin Yi Autonomous County, roughly 80\u2013120 km (50\u201375 miles) southeast of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. <\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-u8s1d r-ocobd0 r-1sc8clx\" data-testid=\"grok_citation_web_result\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5\" data-testid=\"placementTracking\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-109y4c4 r-11j9u27 r-92ng3h\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-1awozwy r-xoduu5 r-1777fci r-9iso6 r-wnp491 r-5rknyj\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Size<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">: The broader scenic area covers about 350\u2013400 km\u00b2 (some sources cite up to ~500 km\u00b2 for the wider region).<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Age &amp; Formation<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">: Formed over ~270 million years. The area was once a shallow sea during the Permian period. Limestone deposits accumulated, then tectonic uplift, weathering, and dissolution by water created the dense pillars, swords, mushrooms, towers, and labyrinthine corridors that resemble petrified trees or stalagmites rising from the ground. <\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-u8s1d r-ocobd0 r-1sc8clx\" data-testid=\"grok_citation_web_result\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5\" data-testid=\"placementTracking\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-109y4c4 r-11j9u27 r-92ng3h\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-1awozwy r-xoduu5 r-1777fci r-9iso6 r-wnp491 r-5rknyj\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1ion2gp r-1gkfh8e r-56xrmm\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Status<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">: Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site \u201cSouth China Karst\u201d (inscribed 2007; Naigu Stone Forest and Suogeyi Village are specifically included). It is also a UNESCO Global Geopark and a top-rated (AAAAA) Chinese tourist site. <\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-u8s1d r-ocobd0 r-1sc8clx\" data-testid=\"grok_citation_web_result\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5\" data-testid=\"placementTracking\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-109y4c4 r-11j9u27 r-92ng3h\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-adyw6z r-135wba7 r-b88u0q\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Main Areas<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">The Shilin National Scenic Area is divided into several zones, with the most visited being:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Greater (Major) &amp; Lesser (Minor) Stone Forests<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\"> \u2014 Dense clusters of light-gray limestone pillars (some over 30 m \/ 100 ft high). Iconic sights include the Ashima Stone (linked to local Sani\/Yi legend), Sword Peak Pond, Lotus Peak, and viewing pavilions.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Naigu Stone Forest<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\"> \u2014 Darker dolomitic formations, generally less crowded and more rugged.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Other features: Zhiyun Cave, Chang (Long) Lake, Yue (Moon) Lake, Dadieshui Waterfall, and Qifeng Cave. <\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-u8s1d r-ocobd0 r-1sc8clx\" data-testid=\"grok_citation_web_result\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5\" data-testid=\"placementTracking\">\n<div class=\"css-g5y9jx r-xoduu5 r-109y4c4 r-11j9u27 r-92ng3h\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-adyw6z r-135wba7 r-b88u0q\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Cultural Side<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">The area is homeland to the Sani people (a branch of the Yi ethnic group). Local folklore includes the famous legend of Ashima, a beautiful young woman who was turned to stone. The Torch Festival and other traditional performances are highlights.<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-adyw6z r-135wba7 r-b88u0q\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Practical Visiting Notes<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">It is a popular day trip from Kunming (bus ~1.5\u20132 hours or high-speed train + local transport). Expect walking on paths between the stones; battery carts are often available for part of the distance. Typical visit duration is 2\u20134 hours for the main areas (longer if exploring more). Best times are generally spring or autumn for milder weather and fewer crowds, though it is visitable year-round.<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1x3r274 r-p1pxzi\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">The landscape is widely regarded as one of the world\u2019s finest examples of pinnacle karst and is often nicknamed the \u201cFirst Wonder of the World\u201d in Chinese tourism literature.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Stone Forest (Shilin \/ \u77f3\u6797) in Yunnan, China, is a spectacular karst landscape of towering limestone pillars, often called a \u201cforest of stone.\u201dKey Facts Location: Shilin Yi Autonomous County, roughly 80\u2013120 km (50\u201375 miles) southeast of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Size: The broader scenic area covers about 350\u2013400 km\u00b2 (some sources cite &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=788\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The Stone Forest<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":684,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/788"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=788"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":789,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/788\/revisions\/789"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}