Kunming’s Stone Forest (石林 shi lin) is a petrified forest shaped by wind and rain erosion, a spectacular representative of South China’s karst landscape and a UNESCO world heritage site. Known in the Ming Dynasty as the ‘First Wonder of the World’, a local saying goes that if you have visited Kunming without seeing Shi Lin, you have wasted your time.

Wandering through the forest with your local Yi guide, marvel at the natural stone masterpieces and be bewitched by their intricate formations. The main attraction is the Greater Stone Forest, which features stones of varying plant, animal and human forms, each lifelike and with their own distinguishing characteristics. The Lesser Stone Forest is your quintessential chinese garden, pretty as a picture, or drive a bit further out to Naigu Stone Forest for a deeper immersion in this magical landscape away from the crowds.

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