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Stone Forest

The best of the world famous Stone Forests (Shilin) of Kunming are in Lunan County, 90km south of Kunming. Due to a process of weathering and erosion, nature has created an art gallery of stone sculpture here. This typical karst physiognomy takes the form of a forest of stone pillars and boulders. It is as if the countless stone shapes have sprung from the ground, assuming different shapes as if vying to surpass each other in grandeur and sublime beauty. Some look like sheets or pillars, others resemble swords raised towards the sky while others, standing in pairs, suggest scenes of young lovers overjoyed in reunion or sad at parting or of a mother and child strolling side by side. Among the sights in the Stone Forest are Lion Arbor, Sword Peak Pond, Lotus Peak, Moon Lake, Jade Lake, and Dadie Waterfall.

How to get there:The best way to reach the Stone Forest is by taking a tourist train from Kunming railway station.The trip costs RMB20 one way and RMB30 for a round trip. The train leaves Kunming at 8:28am (arriving at 9:55am) and departs from the Stone Forest at 3:20pm (arriving in Kunming at 4:47pm).

You can also take a bus from the railway station. The trip takes about 2 hours if the bus is fully occupied, but the trip may take much longer if the bus is not full and stops along the way to pick up passengers.