Treasure of China: Stone Forest

Author: Xu Jiaguo
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The Stone Forest Scenic Area covers a wide range and is densely concentrated with stone forests. Its abundance of lifelike stones and high scenic value are rare in the world. Surrounding it are other developed provincial-level scenic areas such as Jiuxiang, Ailu Ancient Caves, and Bailong Cave. Additionally, with its four-season spring-like climate, it is a perfect destination for tourism, sightseeing, and leisure. In 1982, it was approved by the State Council as a first-class national key scenic area.
The Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Lunan County, 100 kilometers away from Kunming City. The scenic area consists of seven major scenic zones: the Big and Small Stone Forests, Naiyu Stone Forest, Dadie Waterfall, Changhu Lake, Yuehu Lake, Zhiyun Cave, and Qifeng Cave. Covering a total area of 400 square kilometers in the county, it is a well-known scenic area in China and abroad, primarily characterized by karst topography.
Karst topography, also known as karst landform, refers to the dissolution, precipitation, collapse, subsidence, and accumulation of soluble rocks (mainly limestone) on the Earth's surface due to water erosion, forming various unique landforms such as stone forests, stone pinnacles, stone cones, sinkholes, waterfalls, underground rivers, and peculiar dragon pools, as well as numerous lakes. These phenomena are collectively known as karst (named after the Kras plateau in northwestern Slovenia, which is a typical example). Karst topography is distributed in provinces and regions such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, and Sichuan in China, with the best and most beautiful stone forests being those in Yunnan.
In 1966, the second Chinese Karst Academic Conference proposed changing the term "karst topography" to "karst landform," hence its name in China as karst landform.
The Stone Forest Scenic Area is vast and densely concentrated with stone forests. Its numerous lifelike stones and high scenic value are rare in the world. Surrounding it are other developed provincial-level scenic areas such as Jiuxiang, Ailu Ancient Caves, and Bailong Cave. With its four-season spring-like climate, it is an ideal destination for tourism, sightseeing, and leisure. In 1982, it was approved by the State Council as a first-class national key scenic area.
Unique local products worth purchasing or trying include Yi ethnic clothing, Lunan pickled vegetables, Yiliang roasted ducks, and fried bee pupae. The traditional dances and songs of the Yi ethnic group also hold significant cultural value and appreciation.
Located east of Kunming City, the Stone Forest is a rare scenic area in the world, a masterpiece of nature's artistry. Over an area of 400 square kilometers in Lunan, there are hundreds of massive stone clusters resembling black forests. Some stand alone as scenic landmarks, while others stretch across tens or even hundreds of acres, interconnected in intricate patterns. The most typical section is the Liziyong Stone Forest, where extraordinary stone pillars rise from the ground, forming a breathtaking landscape of varied shapes and designs, earning it the name "the Marvel of the World."
About 360 million years ago, during the Devonian period of the Paleozoic era, Lunan was part of the Yunnan-Guizhou ancient sea. Around 280 million years ago, during the Carboniferous period, the stone forests began to form. The limestone in the sea was eroded by water currents, leaving behind countless karst grooves and columns. Later, due to continuous crustal uplift and long-term sedimentation, the sea gradually receded, transforming into land. After the sea withdrew, the landscape endured millions of years of exposure to sunlight, rainfall, wind erosion, and earthquakes, leaving behind this fairy-tale-like wonderland.
From a distance, the towering, dark gray stone peaks and pillars stretch skyward, resembling a vast black forest, hence the name "Stone Forest." The main tourist area, the Liziyong Stone Forest, covers about 12 square kilometers with a visitable area of approximately 1,200 acres. It consists of several parts: Stone Forest Lake, the Big Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest, and Liziyong Garden, with over 5,000 meters of walking paths. It is the largest, most concentrated, and most beautiful section within the Stone Forest Scenic Area.
Inside the scenic area, the stone pillars, walls, and peaks display a myriad of shapes, competing in beauty. Some pillars reach heights of 40–50 meters, as humorously described in an anonymous folk poem: "From afar, the big stone looks small; up close, the small stone looks big. The stone is indeed big, and the stone is indeed big." However, these stones are unique—they are a masterpiece of art, attracting visitors from all over the world to admire; they are a poem of beauty, praised by scholars throughout history; and they possess a soul and life. There are countless lifelike stones such as "Two Horses Crossing for Food," "Peacock Combing Feathers," "Phoenix's Spiritual Ceremony," "Elephant's Distance Stone Platform," "Rhino Gazing at the Moon," as well as "Tang Monk Stone," "Monkey King Stone," "Pigsy Stone," "Sandy Boy Stone," "Guanyin Stone," "General Stone," "Soldier Terracotta," "Poet Reciting," and "Mother and Child Strolling," all vividly and exquisitely crafted, leaving visitors in awe.
In addition to animals, there are many plant-like formations, such as bamboo shoots after rain, mushrooms, and jade tubes. There is a "Bell Stone" that can produce various tones when struck. The entire Liziyong Stone Forest is a vast natural stone art treasure, inviting visitors to observe, discover, and imagine freely. The scenic area is filled with winding paths and hidden corners, where every step reveals a new view, making it feel like entering a labyrinthine fairyland. Tourists are inevitably captivated, leaving with nothing but praise.
Within the scenic area, there are Lion Pavilion, Peak Viewing Pavilion, stone platforms, and benches for rest. As early as the Ming Dynasty, the Stone Forest was already a renowned scenic spot. However, it was not until the 1950s that the government organized relevant units and personnel to conduct serious surveys, designs, constructions, and the development of walking paths, as well as outside roads, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. Only then did the Stone Forest gradually gain fame worldwide, becoming a famous tourist destination.
Visitors can also take a helicopter tour from "Shihang," six kilometers away from the Stone Forest, for a bird's-eye view, offering a unique experience.
The Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, is a major holiday for ethnic groups such as the Yi and Han around the Stone Forest. People gather from all directions to celebrate the festival, engaging in activities like wrestling, pole climbing, and bullfighting during the day. At night, they light bonfires, perform dragon dances, lion dances, and ethnic songs and dances. The Axi Moon Dance and the Dadaixian Dance are the most popular traditional performances. Tens of thousands of domestic and international guests join in the festivities, enjoying the night until dawn.
The combination of its magical natural landscapes and beautiful cultural attractions makes the Stone Forest even more enchanting and powerful.