Stone Forest One-Day Tour Guide: Explore the Great Stone Forest + Small Stone Forest in 4 Hours Without Wasting Time

First time visiting the Stone Forest? Don’t wander aimlessly! This route guide of "Great Stone Forest → Small Stone Forest → Museum" helps you plan a clear 4-5 hour itinerary. You can check off classic spots and avoid pitfalls, making it easy even when visiting with kids~ 📍 Core Route: Follow this order to save time and effort Great Stone Forest (1.5 hours) → Small Stone Forest (1 hour) → Stone Forest Museum (1-2 hours) The whole trip relies on shuttle buses. Remember to buy the shuttle bus ticket together with your entrance ticket (included in the 155 RMB ticket). The scenic area is huge, walking alone will tire you out! 🌿 First Stop: Great Stone Forest | Explore the Mysterious Stone Maze The stones here point straight up like a forest of swords, walking inside feels like entering a secret realm from a martial arts movie. - Must-visit spots: ✅ "Stone Forest Scenic Spot" Stone Carving: Head here first after entering! The red characters "Stone Forest" are carved on the cliff, with layers of strange stones in the background. It’s a meaningful spot for group photos. ✅ Sword Peak Pool: The pool reflects the sword-shaped stone peaks. On sunny days, the water is as green as jade. Standing by the pool for photos, the stones and their reflections create perfect symmetry. ✅ Wangfeng Pavilion: Climb up for a panoramic view! The dense stone peaks spread out like a forest, giving a direct sense of the grandeur of the "Stone Forest." If you’re afraid of heights, climb slowly—the steps aren’t steep. - Note: The ground is uneven, so wear comfortable sneakers; the UV rays are extremely strong, so bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, or you’ll get sunburned quickly. 🌸 Second Stop: Small Stone Forest | Encounter Ashima’s Gentleness Unlike the rugged Great Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest is gentler and more open, like a garden hidden among the strange stones. - Must-visit spots: ✅ Ashima Statue: The most iconic landmark! It looks like a Yi ethnic girl wearing a headscarf. In the afternoon sunlight, the statue’s contours become clearer. Listening to the guide’s story about Ashima adds a narrative feel to your photos. ✅ Lotus Pond: The pond surrounds the strange stones, with lawns on the shore. When tired, you can sit and rest while watching the stone peaks reflected in the water. Every casual photo looks fresh and beautiful. - Small advantage: The paths are flat and easy to walk, making it stress-free for elders and children. It’s much easier to explore than the Great Stone Forest. 🏛️ Third Stop: Stone Forest Museum | An Underrated Treasure Don’t think this is just a quick stop! The museum holds the "past and present" of the Stone Forest and is a must-visit with kids. - Highlights: ✅ Karst Landform Exhibition: See various strange stone specimens, cave models, and animated demonstrations of how stones "grow." Kids get really fascinated. ✅ Yi Ethnic Folk Exhibition: Displays of clothing, musical instruments, and life scenes help you understand the culture of the Sani people. Guided explanations make it more interesting (renting an audio guide is convenient, with introductions for each exhibition hall). - Suggestion: If you’re too tired in the morning, don’t force yourself to see everything. Pick the exhibitions you’re interested in. After walking all morning, your feet will really need a break. 💡 Pitfall Avoidance + Practical Tips 1. Transportation: - Shuttle bus is a must! It connects the three main areas, allowing you to hop on and off freely, and takes you back to the entrance at the end—super convenient. - Elders and kids can rent electric carts in the park (48 RMB/hour), which are cute and save energy, with flexible hourly charges. 2. Timing: - It’s best to enter before 9 AM to avoid the midday heat (the sun is intense, and the stones get hot enough to fry an egg). - Visiting after 3 PM is also good; the light is softer and better for photos. The park closes at 7:30 PM, so there’s enough time. 3. Spending: - Be cautious buying from stalls at the Small Stone Forest exit! Items like "398 RMB musk balm" are overpriced; be rational. - You can hire a guide (160 RMB/person, can share with others). They not only explain ethnic culture and stone legends but also teach you photo angles. If you have kids, they can explain fossils, making it worth the price. 4. Photography: - Wear light-colored clothes (white, light blue, beige). Against the gray-black stones, you’ll stand out more. Flowing skirts look especially fairy-like in photos. - The stone crevices in the Great Stone Forest, the panoramic view from Wangfeng Pavilion, and the Ashima statue in the Small Stone Forest are golden photo spots—don’t miss them. Although your feet will ache after walking, seeing those bizarre peaks and stones formed over hundreds of millions of years will still amaze you with nature’s craftsmanship. Following this guide lets you explore efficiently and experience the magic of the Stone Forest, making it worth the ticket price~