The Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin County, 89 kilometers from Kunming. The area, covering 350 square kilometers, is the highest karst terrain in the world and a national scenic area in China. In the scenic area one can see stone forest, known as "No. 1 wonder under heaven." The Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group, live in the area.

Unique natural sights and Sani folklore are characteristics of the Stone Forest Scenic Area. Tourists can visit Sani villages, buy folk embroidery handicrafts of the Sani people, and watch folk dances in the evening. Torch Festival of the Yi falls on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month.

The quintessential karst landscape leaves every tourist lost in wonder.as you wander though the Stone Forest, you will be surrounded by the rising tone peaks, layer after layer of green hills, and the wide -spread stone peaks of the orest.

In addition, to the parks natural beauty there are also a number of other cultural attractions which will greatly enhance the enjoyment of the trip as well as increasing your knowledge of the regions rich heritage. Some of the main attractions include: the colorful ethnic cultures and ancient folklore of the Stone Forest, the amazing legends of " Ashima ", the " Torchlight Festival " of the Sani people on June 24 of each year, and of course the warm and spirited Yi nationality dance " Axi Dance Under Moonlight " .

Travel Tips:

To enjoy the Stone Forest at its serene best, go either early in the day or late in the afternoon. Youll avoid the crowded paths and loud talking guides. As a bonus, the lower angles of the sun make the rock pillars more striking to the eye and camera.

The local Sani ethnic group has an interesting annual Torch Festival on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month (usually June). Young men run among the lantern lit rock formations to find and propose to their love interests.

The Stone Forest is a two hour drive southeast from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.

Recommended Tour:  China Minority Discovery Tour

                                                7 Days Yunnan Tour