Stone Forest day tour from Kunming

What the Stone Forest actually is

Around 270 million years of limestone, dissolved and hollowed by groundwater and then exposed by erosion, produced a field of karst pinnacles that rises out of a flat plain like a stone forest. The formations are grouped into the Greater Stone Forest (Naigu), the Lesser Stone Forest (Xiaohe) and a few outlying sites such as Baoxiang Temple.

In 1931 an earthquake toppled a large number of the pinnacles, which is why several of the most famous formations lie at odd angles. It also means the site is still geologically active, and heavy rain occasionally closes sections.

How to get there, and how long to allow

The scenic area is about 90 km from central Kunming, roughly 1.5 hours by car on the expressway. Most visitors go as a day trip with a driver, which lets you add the nearby Jiuxiang rapids or the Luoping underground village on the way back.

Allow a full day. The site is large: the standard walk through the Greater Stone Forest is 4 to 5 km over uneven limestone, and the shuttle between the Greater and Lesser areas takes another 30 minutes each way.

Which area first, and the best time of day

Start at the Greater Stone Forest (Naigu) when the gates open. The crowds arrive by 10:00, and the famous Sword Peak Pond and the largest pinnacles are noticeably calmer in the first hour.

Then take the shuttle to the Lesser Stone Forest (Xiaohe), which is more maze-like and denser, with narrow paths between tall walls of rock. Finish there rather than at the entrance: the shuttle out is frequent, and it keeps the day moving forward.

Practical notes

• Wear shoes with grip. The limestone surface is polished and slippery after rain.
• Bring water and a hat; there is little shade inside the formations.
• Guided walks in Mandarin or English are usually available at the gate and are worth taking in the Lesser area.
• The Sani people of Shilin have their own village culture just outside the scenic zone, and a village visit with a local meal adds more than another hour in the rocks.
• If you are combining this with the 3 day itinerary, put it on day 2 so day 3 stays local and relaxed.