The Stone Forest

The Stone Forest, also known as Shilin, is located in Lunan Yi Autonomous County, about 126 kilometers southeast of Kunming in Yunnan Province, China. The area sits at an elevation ranging from approximately 1,625 to 1,900 meters above sea level and is often described as the “First Wonder of the World.”

With convenient transportation connections, the Stone Forest can be easily reached from Kunming by both highway and railway, making it one of Yunnan’s most famous natural attractions.

Unique Karst Landscape

The Stone Forest is a remarkable example of a special karst landform. Its name comes from the impressive concentration of tall limestone formations that resemble a forest made entirely of stone. These towering rock pillars generally range from 5 to 30 meters in height and spread across an enormous area of more than 26,000 hectares.

Although the entire region is vast, only around 80 hectares are open to visitors. The stone formations remain exceptionally well preserved, allowing visitors to admire their unusual shapes and geological beauty.

The area also contains numerous karst caves featuring spectacular natural formations, including stalagmites, stalactites, stone columns, and stone corridors. Underground rivers, lakes, pools, and waterfalls further enhance the landscape. In addition, the scenic area contains 65 reservoirs and ponds with a combined storage capacity of about 50 million cubic meters, all with excellent water quality.

Famous Stone Formations

Many of the stone pillars in Shilin have been given imaginative names based on their shapes and appearances. Some famous examples include the Ten Thousand Year Mushroom, which rises about 10 meters high, Mother and Son, Camel Riding on Elephant, Avalokitesvara Rock, Buddha Stone, Rhinoceros Looking at the Moon, and Beautiful Maiden Rising from the Water.

These creative names reflect the close connection between the natural landscape and local imagination, with each formation appearing to represent a different figure, animal, or object.

Natural Beauty and Scenic Areas

The Stone Forest enjoys a mild and pleasant climate throughout the year. More than 400 varieties of flowers grow in the region, adding color and diversity to the dramatic stone landscape.

The attraction is divided into several major scenic areas, including Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Waterfall.

Among the most impressive attractions are eight major scenic highlights: the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests, Naigu Stone Forest, Greater and Lesser Zhiyun Caves, Qingfeng Cave, Long Lake, Moon Lake, Fairy Lake, and Feilong Waterfall.

The landscape features countless cliffs and towering peaks. The Lunan Stone Forest is primarily composed of unusual stone pillars, complemented by caves, lakes, waterfalls, and other natural features.

Stone Formations and Underground Wonders

The Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, and Naigu Stone Forest display a wide variety of natural shapes resembling animals, plants, and human figures. Some formations appear graceful and elegant, while others are rugged and powerful, with each possessing its own distinctive character.

The Underground Stone Forest, located within Zhiyun Cave, is an extraordinary underground karst landscape. It consists of several connected caves covering an area of approximately 3 square kilometers and contains remarkable underground stone formations.

Another notable feature is Long Lake, a karst lake measuring about 3 kilometers in length and only around 300 meters in width. The lake contains underwater stalactites and stalagmites, as well as a small island located in the middle of the water.

Local Culture and Ethnic Heritage

From a distance, the Stone Forest appears like a dense woodland, but closer observation reveals that the “trees” are actually slender stone peaks rising from the ground.

The region is home to the Yi and Sani ethnic communities, whose people are known for their hardworking nature, singing traditions, and dancing skills. Their culture is rich and diverse, with colorful customs, legends, and traditions preserved through generations.

Geological History

The name “Stone Forest” reflects its appearance as a forest created from stone. Geologically, it is a classic karst landscape formed through hundreds of millions of years of natural processes.

In ancient times, the Shilin region was part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Sea. According to geologists, the Stone Forest was formed approximately 270 million years ago during the Carboniferous period of the Paleozoic Era.

At that time, limestone beneath the ancient sea was gradually shaped by flowing water. Dissolution processes created countless channels and stone pillars. Later, movements of the Earth’s crust, including the collision between the Eurasian Plate and the Indian Plate, caused the land to rise and transformed the former seabed into dry land.

Over millions of years, continuous erosion from sunlight, rainfall, wind, and earthquakes sculpted the landscape into the extraordinary stone formations seen today. Around two million years ago, groups of dark gray stone peaks and pillars emerged dramatically from the ground, creating the stone “forest” that inspired its name.

Historical Background and Legends

The Stone Forest has a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty period (1368–1644 AD). Some people consider it one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and it remains one of China’s most spectacular scenic destinations.

The Shilin region extends across approximately 400 square kilometers and includes both large and small stone forests, along with attractions such as Shilin Lake, which contains underwater stalactite formations.

The area is also the source of many fascinating legends passed down by the local Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group. The most famous story is the legend of Ashima, a beautiful, intelligent, and kind-hearted Sani woman whose tale represents devotion and true love.

According to the legend, Ashima was born into a poor family in the Yunnan region. She began helping her father care for sheep when she was 12 years old. One day, she rescued a young boy named Ahei who had become lost while collecting wild fruit in the mountains.

Ahei was also 12 years old and had been forced to work for a landlord after becoming an orphan. Ashima felt sympathy for him and brought him home. Her parents welcomed him and raised him as part of the family.

As they grew older, Ashima and Ahei developed a deep love for each other and eventually married. They lived happily together until Ashima was kidnapped by Azhi, the landlord’s son, who desired her beauty.

When Ahei discovered what had happened, he defeated the landlord and his son and rescued Ashima. The couple then returned to the Stone Forest, where they lived happily ever after. According to legend, their descendants became the ancestors of the Sani people.

Torch Festival and Local Traditions

The Sani people celebrate their traditional Torch Festival every year on the 24th day of the sixth month according to the lunar calendar.

During this important festival, locals participate in many traditional activities, including wrestling, bull fighting, climbing poles, dragon performances, lion dances, and the famous A-xi Moon Dance.

At this time of year, the Stone Forest becomes especially lively, filled with music, celebrations, and cultural performances, making the landscape even more attractive to visitors.

Tourism Development and Protection

The Chinese government officially opened the Shilin Stone Forest as a tourist destination during the 1950s. Since then, its international reputation has continued to grow.

The combination of its extraordinary limestone formations, unique sword-shaped stone pillars, and the warm hospitality and cultural traditions of the Sani people has attracted visitors from around the world.

In 1982, the State Council of China included the Lunan Stone Forest Scenic Area among the first group of officially recognized national scenic and historic sites.

The natural resources of the Stone Forest are protected as state-owned heritage, and conservation management divides the entire area into three protection levels according to the importance and sensitivity of different zones.