The Stone Forest of Shilin Outside Kunming
Kunming (pop: 5,000,000+) is the capital of Yunnan Province and set at an elevation of 1,900 meters/6,200 feet. With mild weather all year, Kunming is often called the "City of Eternal Spring." It is surrounded by gorgeous snowcapped and tropical mountains and home to many ethnic minorities (tribes). Kunming is also a university city. A very clean, flowery city.
We arrived without any problems from Hong Kong (except the omni-present jet lag) and were promptly transferred to the Pinnacle Hotel***, our home for two nights. The Pinnacle Hotel was adequate at this time but now there are many 3*** to 5***** hotels to chooose from. Then.....no other choice. To sleep in preparation for the next day's intense sightseeing...
Today's agenda included the Stone Forest, Seven Star Village and Five Pine Tree Village. Our Kunming guide was a nice young man who spoke very good English. Before leaving for the Stone Forest, he presented us with forms (in Chinese) that stated if we paid $100 U.S. each, the Chinese Government would protect us from any problems we might have with the minorities. Forms in Chinese? Huh? Duh? ex-Marine and I had a rapid, whispered consultation and decided this may have been some kind of scam and weren't paying. Whether it was for real or not, we'd take our chances.
The Stone Forest, an 80-mile drive from Kunming in Shilin, is one of the most famous scenic spots in China. The Stone Forest was a sea 270 million years ago and when the earth's crust was altered by tectonic plate movement, the sea became land. The limestone bottom then became jagged karst formations over the eons.
This area is a huge magnet and "must visit site" for Chinese National tourists and we were the only Westerners at that time touring the formations. The entire site has pavilions, paths, ornamental ponds, and takes about an hour to cover the main circuit. There was a huge rock screen in the middle of the forest, "Sword Peak Pond" with jadeite-colored water, one formation that looked exactly like an elephant...various figures...and the jagged karst rocks.
It was difficult to walk more than two steps without one of the colorfully dressed Sani women (part of the Yi minority) wanting to pose for money or sell something. The Chinese tourists were more than happy to pose with them and pay up. The women, native to this area, had intricate and beautiful embroiderery for sale.
Still more to visit on the way back to Kunming...
Click Here for Sandals Specials- Up to 50% off !
