Stone Forest or Shilin: Breathtaking Natural Rock Formation in Kunming, China

The stone forest or Shilin, is a distinguished set of limestone formations spanning nearly 500 km2 located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China. The term “stone forest” comes from the way these structures seem to stretch forever, resembling a huge stone forest. Rain has consistently wiped away any soil, revealing the bleak face of this natural treasure. The provincial capital, Kunming, is 56 miles from stone forest.

The tall rocks give the impression of a stone forest because they appear to grow from the earth in a way that is akin to stalagmites. Many of the rocks resemble petrified trees. These incredible rocks formed by limestone weathering 270 million years ago. These tall, oddly shaped rock pillars are dispersed over an area of over 26,000 hectares. Merely 80 ha of this region are accessible to tourists.

The Kunming stone forest of Shilin are in good condition. Any traveler can benefit from bus service, which brings travelers from Kunming to these tourist destinations, which draw both domestic and foreign visitors. In the vicinity, there are many hotels to stay a night. Source