Kunming Surrounding Attractions - The Most Beautiful Spring Day Stone Forest Scenic Area with Few Visitors Travel Guide

Online opinions about the Stone Forest are polarized, with some finding it boring, just a bunch of rocks, and also complaining about the expensive tickets and the crowds. However, as a well-established national geological park and a 5A-rated tourist attraction, my dad thinks I should definitely go and see it. The Stone Forest Scenic Area is located within the Stone Forest Yi Autonomous County of Kunming, featuring a spectacular and unique karst landscape. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, adding a touch of 'tender toughness' to the stark stone forest. The Stone Forest Scenic Area is mainly divided into the Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, Bushao Mountain, and Liziyuanqing Scenic Area. To walk through it all takes at least half a day. Essential Route: Greater Stone Forest + Lesser Stone Forest Personal Recommended Route: Greater Stone Forest - Wangfushi Station - Bushao Mountain Station - Lesser Stone Forest ⚠️Take the inner loop electric car from Wangfushi Station to Bushao Mountain Station, and along the way, you can see the scenery of Liziyuanqing Scenic Area. 🪨Stone Forest Scenic Area Address: Stone Forest Scenic Area, Stone Forest Yi Autonomous County, Kunming Business Hours: 7:30-19:30, entry stops at 17:30 Ticket Price: 130 yuan/adult Electric Car: 25 yuan/person ⚠️The outer loop electric car from the Tourist Center to the entrance of the scenic area is a must-ride, it's not recommended to take the inner loop as soon as you enter; the Greater Stone Forest and Lesser Stone Forest are on the left and right sides of the entrance. Parking Fee: 10 yuan/vehicle ⚠️The nearest parking lot is the Ashima Cultural Tourism City parking lot 🪨Scenic Area Introduction Stone Forest Lake A lava lake, the homeland of the beautiful Yi girl Ashima from Yunnan legend, who eventually turned into a stone peak to protect her lover and fellow villagers. Greater Stone Forest Composed of dense stone forests, there are many tall independent rock pillars that you can climb up and down, and weave through, like a maze. The highest point is Wangfeng Pavilion, where you can see the largest expanse of the stone forest. My personal favorite is the Elephant Sitting Stone Platform (Picture One) Liziyuanqing The stone forest is surrounded by green trees, giving it an elegant and scholarly atmosphere. Bushao Mountain The highest part of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, named after Zhao Fa, the leader of the Stone Forest Yi militia in the late Qing Dynasty, who once stationed here and set up patrols. Lesser Stone Forest Divided by screen-like stone peaks into many small gardens, with greenery, lakes, and flowers, as beautiful as gardens in southern China. Ashima is also in the Lesser Stone Forest, a standalone stone peak by the water. 🪨Other tips There are ethnic costumes for rent inside the scenic area, very cheap. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, there are many steps to go up and down in the Greater Stone Forest. If you want fewer visitors, it's recommended to go either when the park opens in the morning or after 4 pm, as the sunset in Yunnan is late and the lighting for photos is also very good. There are hotels within the scenic area (no booking method found), staying overnight might provide a better visiting experience.