Best Time to Visit Shilin for 5 Days Itinerary, What to Do & Where to Go

Day 1

Stone Forest

Opening Hours: Open from 7:30am-5:30pm

Ticket Price: 130 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Days

Location: Extension of Shilin Middle Road, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming

The Stone Forest is one of Kunming’s must-see sites. Boasting a classic karst topography, the Stone Forest is full of rocky peaks, jagged rocky outcroppings, water caves, and underground rivers. The Stone Forest is centered around the Major Stone Forest and Minor Stone Forest scenic areas. The Minor Stone Forest is thick with outcroppings of rocky peaks, and the Ashima Stone stands here, named after the legendary Yi maiden who turned into the stone when she was forbidden to marry the one she loved. At the Major Stone Forest scenic area, visitors can enjoy the reflection of the Stone Forest in the Lion Pool, or take a boat ride on the Stone Forest Lake.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Yunnan must visit Kunming, Kunming must visit the stone forest, stone forest is the hometown of the Yi Sani people, is also the home of the epic legend national story Ashima! The stone forest is full of strange stone peaks, unique stone shapes, different folk tales have been named, listen to the guides' explanations and passengers' own fantasy, may also come up with their own different ideas! Shilin Scenic Area is large, can not see carefully for a day and a half, there is enough time to stay down, experience the culture and customs of the Yi Sani people, enrich yourself!

Viena Fu: went here when its raining, but it doesnt really take the exploring spirit from me. the place was crowded woth tourists and the guide was shouting here and there. took a chance to be an ashima and paid 20yuan for one pics. custom rent around 10yuan per person. they have professional photographers but honestly the pics was bad, looks like my face is oily. better ask your friend to take by phone. though you must struggle to find the best spot. overall it was great to blend with nature. its all natural rock made. awesome

Day 1 | Evening

If you want to explore other popular attractions later, PAPMAN is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.

PAPMAN

Reviews from Real Guests:

ying6430113: The hotel is clean and hygienic, full of design, quiet and comfortable, good view, and super good environment, just like living in a private courtyard, the transportation is super convenient, about 10 minutes to Dianchi Wetland Park, the complex Wangfujing is also very close. The dishes in the leek restaurant below the hotel are exquisite and delicious. The afternoon tea desserts in the coffee bar are free. The receptionist is kind and comfortable, and the service attitude is very good. The breakfast is hygienic and delicious, and there are many varieties of choice. The room is intimately prepared with tea sets. A pot of tea opens a good mood for the holiday.

王: Very few reviews, but this hotel exceeded expectations. The environment is very good, the Chinese modern courtyard design is perfect. The hardware used in the room is very graded completely over the existing five-star brand, the manager and waiter service attitude is excellent!

Day 2 | Morning

Shilin Ice and Snow Ocean World

Opening Hours: Open from 9:00am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 230 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: No.988 Shilin Avenue, Shilin County, Kunming City

Shilin Ice and Snow Ocean World is located on Shilin Avenue and comprises a polar area, an ocean aquarium, and a dolphinarium. You can see all kinds of marine animals at Shilin Ice and Snow Ocean World. There are also exciting performances such as mermaid. This is a great place to visit with children. See polar animals in the polar area: penguins, beluga whales, sea lions, seals, and more!

Day 2 | Afternoon

Stone Forest Hot Springs nearby is the top choice before you leave Shilin Ice and Snow Ocean World and hit the road.

Stone Forest Hot Springs

Ticket Price: 188 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1.0 Days

Location: Shilin, Kunming, Yunnan, China

The Stone Forest Hot Springs are located in the beautiful surroundings of Stone Forest near Kunming. They feature a spa, outdoor swimming pool, wave pool, beach, and other leisure facilities. There is also a garden, a children's play area, a campsite, and outdoor combat facilities.

Day 2 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, InterContinental Kunming is the best places.

InterContinental Kunming

The InterContinental Kunming (Kunming Zhouji Jiudian) is a five-star hotel located 11 km (6.8 mi) from the Nanping Pedestrian Street and 12 km (7.4 mi) from the Kunming Railway Station.

Free parking and Wi-Fi in public areas are offered to guests of this hotel.

On-site restaurants serve Mediterranean, French, Cantonese and Yunnan dishes. A coffee shop and lobby bar provide additional spaces for guests to unwind with a drink or meet up with friends.

Those working while in Kunming have access to the hotel's fully equipped meeting rooms and business center. A banquet hall is on hand for large social or corporate events.

Guests with free time can take a dip in the swimming pool, work out in the gym, play a game of tennis or indulge in spa or massage services. For extra fun, a game room and karaoke facilities are also on the property.

Day 3 | Morning

Changhu Lake

Opening Hours: Open all day

Ticket Price: 10 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Changhuzhen, Shilin, Kunming, Yunnan, China

Changhu Lake, a karst lake formed by geological fracture, is located in Weizexiang Village in the vicinity of Lizijing Stone Forest. The lake resembles a reclining silkworm, or alternatively, a crescent moon, in shape, hence its name (“the long lake”); as it is tucked away deep within densely forested mountains, it is also called Canghu (“the hidden lake”). The lake view of Changhu has many sides. Basking in the sun during the day, all is coated by a film of golden rays; while at night in tranquil woodlands by the lake, pairs of youngsters of Sani ethnicity come here to play folk instruments and sing with each other.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Shilin Spring Resort nearby is the top choice before you leave Changhu Lake and hit the road.

Shilin Spring Resort

Opening Hours: 8:00-22:30

Ticket Price: 0 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1.0 Days

Location: No. 1434, Shilin Avenue, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City (near Yi Village No. 1)

Shilin Spring Resort is located on Shilin Avenue, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City. The buildings there have a primitive but elegant style with simple and fashionable elements, providing a cozy and comfortable setting to make people feel at home. The resort boasts clear hot springs of a suitable temperature as well as a fully equipped gym. Guests can relax in the dining hall and accommodation, making it a preferred travel destination for tourists.

Day 3 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, Song Hotel Kunming is the best places.

Song Hotel Kunming

Opened in 2019, the Song Hotel Kunming offers travelers a pleasant stay in Kunming, whether for business or leisure purposes.

Boasting a convenient location, the hotel is just 3km from Kunming West Railway Station and 36km from Kunming Changshui International Airport. Famous local attractions 草海隧道公園, Kunmingrongchuang Amusement Park and Kunming Rongchuang Xue World, can all be reached with a short walk.

This hotel makes a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of sightseeing. This Kunming hotel provides parking on site.

According to our guests, the location of this hotel is one of the best around. This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling with families.

Day 4 | Morning

Shilin Red Fir Lake Hot Spring

Opening Hours: 10:00-23:00

Ticket Price: 200 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1.0 Days

Location: Kunshan Shilin Yi Autonomous County Asima Tourist Town Redwood Lake Hot Spring Resort Hotel

Shilin Red Fir Lake Hot Spring is located in the town of Ashima, within Wancheng Town, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. The transportation is very convenient and the environment is elegant and refined. It is a good place for leisure and recreation with a resort hotel, an ancient village guesthouse and a natural hot spring club. Shilin Red Fir Lake Hot Spring is a natural hot spring based around the theme of the Red Fir - a national treasure. The interior furnishings embody zen, and each moment of enjoyment of the hot spring experience is a luxurious trip to spiritual recovery.

Day 4 | Afternoon

Ashima Incarnation Stone nearby is the top choice before you leave Shilin Red Fir Lake Hot Spring and hit the road.

Ashima Incarnation Stone

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 10-10 Minutes

Location: Shilin, Kunming, Yunnan, China

The Ashima Incarnation Stone is located in Kunming's East Shilin Scenic Area. Ashima is a fictional girl with great beauty and wisdom who exists in the local myths and legends of Yunnan's Yi ethnicity. Her love with Aheige and their combined will to resist repressive powers is known by everyone. The movie Ashima, which was made in the 1960s, told her story to audiences within China and around the world. The beauty of Ashima is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. A rock formation which is shaped like Ashima can be found in the Shilin Scenic Area; it is a very famous scenic spot as well as a place for people to commemorate Ashima and her beautiful story.

Reviews from Real Guests:

MaxS: Ashima Incarnation Stone or Ashima Incarnation Stature. This shape engraved in stone by nature forces is located in Stone Forest Shi Lin. There are many stones with very unique shapes and human imagination gave them different names. Very famous one is Ashima Incarnation Stone

Day 4 | Evening

If you want to explore other popular attractions later, Empark Grand Hotel Kunming is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.

Empark Grand Hotel Kunming

The Empark Grand Hotel Kunming (Shiji Jinyuan Dafandian) is located within easy reach of Erji Road subway station. It will take around 25 minutes to reach the Kunming West Railway Station while the Changshui International Airport and Kunming Railway Station are 40 minutes away by car. Guests can dine on Chinese cuisine, Western cuisine or Japanese cuisine at the hotel restaurants. Business travelers are invited to make the most of the meeting room and business center. Guests looking to stay active can utilize the billiards room, fitness room, tennis court or swimming pool while those simply wanting to relax can make use of the spa room or massage room. This Kunming hotel provides on-site parking and free Wi-Fi in public areas.

Day 5 | Morning

Moon Lake

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Yuehu Lake, Shilin, Kunming, China

Moon Lake is located in the Stone Forest Scenic Area, named after its shape like a crescent moon. It is the largest lake in the Stone Forest Scenic Area. Moon Lake consists of lakes of different sizes, connected by lakes, and fishes visit each other. There are stone forests with strange and rugged rocks by the lake, and you can enjoy the typical karst landforms. You can watch the Moon Lake on the trail by the lake. The water of the Moon Lake is clear, coupled with the strange stone forests by the lake. The combination of the two has a strange scenery. I have to feel the magic of nature. It is also a good place to take pictures. .

Reviews from Real Guests:

MaxS: The Stone Forest Shi Lin area has several lakes. This is one of them mirroring sharp stone pillars which are trying to touch the sky. You can walk around this lake through small paths and take pictures from several different positions. Amazing trip in the amazing place in China, Yunnan.

Day 5 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Moon Lake, qifengdong next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

qifengdong

Opening Hours: Open all day

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: 5 km northwest of Shilin, Kunming, east of Ma'an at the junction of Beida Village and Shuitangpu Village5 km northwest of Shilin, Kunming, east of Ma'an at the junction of Beida Village and Shuitangpu Village

Reviews from Real Guests:

MaxS: Qifendong or Eastern part of this big geological formation called Stone Forest. The same bottom of the sea, but shapes are different again. What forces has created such diversity in one area? I can say, the roaming of Stone Forest decided into several part is some kind of meditation. I like this, place.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.