• Shilin Stone Forest

• Name in Chinese characters: 石林
• Name in Pinyin: Shílín
• 

  General Overview

  Much of southern China was once under the sea and therefore has a deep layer of limestone formed from the skeletal remains of marine life. Shilin Stone Forest is one of the most spectacular sections where this limestone has since been raised-up and eroded into an intense area of small but fantastic peaks.

  Limestone (mostly calcium carbonate) can be dissolved in water, especially if that water is slightly acidic. Over the millions of years involved in geological processes, erosion by water can be on a grand scale. The resulting formations are generally known as karst - a German term for the region in Slovenia where the process was first investigated.

  Shilin lies about 90 kilometres outside of Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan. The site can be reached by train or by public bus though most visitors arrive by tour bus. The area is inhabited largely by people from the Yi Minority who are believed to be distant relatives of the Tibetan Qiang group.

  Shilin was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the South China Karst in 2007. The same listing includes Wulong and Libo. Other famous karst features are to be found near Guilin in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

  Attractions For Visitors

  Shilin Stone Forest is a single tourist site but since this is extensive it is worth pointing out some of the different attractions. English-language maps are available at the site and it is well worth buying one so as to feel confident when walking around and as a souvenir.

  The central area just inside the entrance is the one with the most intense set of rock formations. There are many paths here but, still, most domestic group visitors congregate at just one or two of the most famous spots - the ones the guides know well.

  You can be sure that all domestic visitors will visit the rock of A-Shi-Ma where they will hear the legend. Supposedly, Ashima was a beautiful maiden of the Sani People (a sub-group of the Yi) who was kidnapped by an evil landlord's son. Her true love came to save her but she then drowned on the way home, turning into this rock with just a slight resemblance to a girl carrying a bamboo basket.

  It is worth trying to locate the Wanfeng Pavilion as this gives excellent views out over the central rock formations.

  A road runs around the central area and it is well worth walking beyond this as few visitors ever do. A good trail runs from A lady yearning for her husband around to the Ten thousand year old glossy ganodernma (for which, read mushroom-shaped rock) and back to the road via a very tight squeeze. This may not have the pick of the peaks but is quiet and a great place to have your picnic, if dry. (Food options in the park are limited and it is best to bring your own.)

  A variety performance is repeated at regular intervals throughout the day and it is worth catching one showing as much for a rest from walking even if you are not a big show fan.

  Visitors to Shilin may also be interested in visiting the huge Jiuxiang Cave nearby.

  The following China Journeys visit Shilin Stone Forest:

  • Going Cloud Way
  • Yunnan And Yangtse
  
  
  
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• Current Comments

  4 comments so far (post your own)

  Hi Gareth
  
  Access is easy enough - by lift down into the gorge and then a reasonably good trail. Some of the steps are steep but with good footware and a bit of care there is no real issue except for those with limited mobility.
  
  The caverns are huge and the underground cool is a welcome relief on a hot summer's day.

  Posted by China Journeys on Mon 13 Feb, 2012

  The Jiuxiang Cave sounds interesting - is access difficult, by boat or are there reasonable walkways ?

  Posted by GarethM on Mon 13 Feb, 2012

  Hi Erica
  
  This site is attractive on many levels - perhaps more so to photographers than to geologists. The various rock formations are just one dimension. The site is also interesting because of its close association with the Yi people and because it sees a wide range of domestic tourists in holiday mode. Have fun out there!

  Posted by China Journeys on Mon 13 Feb, 2012

  Attractive to a geologist perhaps - could form part of my itinerary.

  Posted by Erica on Sun 12 Feb, 2012

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