Karst Dreams: Guizhou vs Yunnan's Stone Forests

Guizhou and Yunnan boast many beautiful sceneries, characterized by karst landscapes. At these two destinations, tourists can learn about the amazing karst landforms by observing the stone forest landscapes. Here is an introduction to the distinctive stone forest sites in Guizhou and Yunnan.

Guizhou

Guizhou has a wide range of stone forest attractions of various types. You can visit these stone forest views and admire the unique karst landscape.

Sinan Stone Forest (思南石林)

Location: Changba Town, Sinan County, Tongren City, Guizhou Province, China
Opening times: 09:00-17:00
Ticket price: 49.9 RMB (free for children under 1.2 meters high)

Sinan Stone Forest is the most well-preserved karst stone forest in the same latitude on earth. The stone forest here stretches over several hill ranges and is divided into six major areas. You can observe stone forests with different forms, containing needle-shaped stone forests, sword-shaped stone forests, tower-shaped stone forests, column-shaped stone forests, and so on.

Stroll along the scenic trestle and immerse yourself in the beautiful and treacherous stone forest landscape. The viewing platform at the entrance of the village is the best place to see the panoramic view of the stone forest. Here capture the picturesque scenery consisting of lush woods and spectacular strange rocks.4

Guizhou stone forest

Zhulinbao Stone Forest (竹林堡石林)

Location: Shuangru Peak Scenic Spot, Southeast of Sancha River, Zhenfeng County, Guizhou Province, China
Opening times: 08:30-17:30
Ticket price: 65 RMB (free for children under 1.2 meters high)

Zhulinbao Stone Forest is one of the famous karst landscape scenic spots in Guizhou. The main body of the Zhulinbao Stone Forest was formed from Triassic dolomite by dissolution karst action. The stone forest here is small and exquisite, with uniquely shaped formations. Moving forward along the forest trails, explore over a dozen forms of strange rocks and experience the wonders of nature.

Some stone pillars are adorned with small trees, their roots growing through rock crevices to form breathtaking natural scenery. The viewing platform offers panoramic views of various stone forest landscapes, such as stone forest basins and depressions. In addition to stone forests of various shapes and sizes, you can also enjoy dense bamboo forests.

Xiuwen Stone Forest (修文石林)

Location: Xiuwen County, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
Opening times: all day
Ticket price: 20 RMB

Because of the ancient vines and mosses that often cover the stone forest, Xiuwen Stone Forest is also known as the “Green Stone Forest”. According to the different forms of the stone forest, Xiuwen Stone Forest is divided into six areas. Here you can see stone bridges, stone swords, stone pythons and stone labyrinths. Also observe many rocks in animal form for an interesting experience.

Many of the stone pillars were entwined with ancient vines, making the entire stone forest present a vibrant scene. Hike through the scenic area and capture these magical images. In addition, you can choose to take a boat ride in Huishui Lake to enjoy the magnificent landscape painting formed by the clear water and the strange rocks along the shore.

Guizhou stone forest

Lar Mountain Red Stone Forest (腊尔山红石林)

Location: Panshi Town, Songtao County, Tongren City, Guizhou Province, China
Opening times: all day
Ticket price: free

Lar Mountain Red Stone Forest is the only red carbonate stone forest scenic spot in the world formed in the Cambrian period. The rocks with different shapes and forms are named Red Stone Forest because of their brownish-red color.

This unique Danxia landform is famous for its clear textures, peculiar shapes and brilliant colors. Entering the scenic area, you can see many “pagoda-type” stone forests towering in it. Here the rocks are interconnected to form stone forests of huge volume. Capture and touch these rocks closely to experience the wonders of nature.

Yunnan

Yunnan is famous for its unique karst landscapes, in which the Stone Forest is an important typical landscape.

Kunming Stone Forest Scenic Area (昆明石林风景区)

Location: Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
Opening times: 07:30-18:00
Ticket price: 130 RMB (free for children under 1.2 meters high)

Kunming Stone Forest Scenic Spot is the most famous stone forest scenic spot in China, known as “the essence of the world karst landscape”. The main stone forest areas here include: the Major Stone Forest, the Minor Stone Forest, and the Bushao Mountain.

Major Stone Forest (大石林)

The Major Stone Forest is characterized by dense greenish-gray stone peaks. The rock pillars here are tall and treacherous, with the tallest independent rock pillar standing at over 40 meters in height. You can admire the rocks of different shapes and sizes scattered throughout here.

Walking along the trail, you will come across the Jianfeng Pond. Here a tall rock stands in the water, resembling a huge sword. Also climb up to the Wangfeng Pavilion at Lotus Peak to overlook the entire Stone Forest Scenic Area and capture the serene view of the stone forest. And these stone pillars are grayish-white in sunny weather and turn dark brown when it rains.

Yunnan stone forest

Minor Stone Forest (小石林)

The view of the Minor Stone Forest is even more scenic and the rocks are relatively small. The solid stone walls divide the area into several gardens. The stone forests in the scenic area are more varied in form, showing the appearance of plants and animals.

The stone statue of Ashima is the iconic landscape of Minor Stone Forest. This stone statue of a figure formed by weathering presents a very vivid posture. In addition, the Minor Stone Forest is rich in plants. You can immerse yourself in the charming picture composed of strange stones and beautiful natural scenery.

Bushao Mountain (步哨山)

Bushao Mountain is the highest elevation in the Kunming Stone Forest Scenic Area and is the best place to overlook the stone forest landscape. The area is characterized by multi-columnar stone forests in various forms. As you stroll through the mountains, you'll be struck by the strange and towering stone pillars.

Climbing up to the observation deck, you can overlook Major and Minor Stone Forests and take pictures of the breathtaking views of the surrounding karst landscapes. Also observe numerous marine fossils and learn about the ancient history of the Stone Forest area.

Yunnan stone forest

Naigu Stone Forest (乃古石林)

Location: 8 kilometers north of the main Kunming Stone Forest area
Opening times: 08:30-17:00
Ticket price: 25 RMB (free for children under 1.2 meters high)

Located 8 kilometers north of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, Naigu Stone Forest Scenic Area is the core area of Yunnan Stone Forest World Natural Heritage. The main part of the Naigu Stone Forest is made up of tall stone pillars, which are grayish-black in color and shaped like a black forest. The root parts of these stone pillars are connected together to form stone walls, stone cities and stone formations.

Here strange rocks, caves and lakes create the stunning karst wonders. The scenic tour path leads all the way to the top of the mountain. On the way, you can admire the rolling black stone pillars around you. Stand at the high spots to overlook the magnificent panorama of the stone forest and the surrounding beautiful villages.

Western Hills (西山)

Location: Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
Opening times: 08:30-17:30
Ticket price: free (entrance to Longmen Grottoes requires an extra 30 RMB)

Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area is located on the western outskirts of Kunming on the shores of Dianchi Lake. The stone forest here is situated at the top of Luohan mountain, the top of the Western Hills. You can see limestone columns, clints and other typical karst landforms.

The Yunnan weather in spring is mild and pleasant for outdoor activities. At this time, you can admire the fascinating picture composed of the stone forest, lush forests and the Dianchi Lake in the distance.

Summary

Guizhou and Yunnan are both famous karst landform resorts with a variety of stone forest landscapes. These two places are excellent destinations for exploring the wonders of China's landscapes. In these stone forest scenic spots, you will marvel at the spectacular scenery of strange stones and feel the charm of nature.