Liziqing Stone Forest in Shilin County, Kunming
Liziqing Stone Forest, also known as Shilin Park (石林公园), is located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County (石林彝族自治县) of Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is situated approximately 86 kilometers from Kunming and includes the Big Stone Forest (大石林), Small Stone Forest (小石林), and Outer Stone Forest (外石林), interconnected by numerous stone paths, corridors, gates, caves, and bridges, forming an organic whole. The total area is about 12 square kilometers, with a touring area of approximately 1,200 acres.
Legend and Naming
According to local legend, someone once saw a plum tree (李子树) on the stone cliffs in the evening, bearing large red fruits. However, when they returned the next day to pick the fruits, the tree was nowhere to be found. This intriguing story gave rise to the name Liziqing Stone Forest.
Scenic Highlights
One of the most remarkable features of the Liziqing Stone Forest is a stone peak that stands by the pond, with its summit appearing pale red. This peak resembles a beautiful and youthful Sani (撒尼) girl, full of vitality, and is affectionately referred to by locals as “Ashi Ma” (阿诗玛).
Major Attractions
- Shilin Lake (石林湖)
- Big Stone Forest (大石林)
- Small Stone Forest (小石林)
- Outer Stone Forest (外石林)
- Lizi Garden (李子园)
The walking path spans over 5,000 meters, making it the largest and most concentrated scenic area within the Shilin Scenic Area. Notable landscapes include Lion Pavilion (狮子亭), Sword Peak Pool (剑峰池), Fang Peak Pavilion (望峰亭), and Lotus Peak (莲花峰). The peaks beside the pool resemble sharp swords piercing the blue sky, and their reflections in the water create a magnificent natural bonsai effect.
Additional Scenic Spots
There are over 100 attractions to explore within Liziqing Stone Forest, including:
- Double Birds Crossing Food (双鸟渡食)
- Ten Thousand Year Lingzhi (万年灵芝)
- Camel Riding Elephant (骆驼骑象)
- Mother and Child Swimming Together (母子偕游)
These stone peaks are vividly lifelike, with names that aptly reflect their shapes, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
Cultural Experience
Visiting Liziqing Stone Forest also allows for an appreciation of the unique customs of the Sani people (撒尼人), who have lived by the shores of Shilin Lake for generations, preserving their ancient traditions and folklore. The annual Torch Festival (火把节) of the Sani people is held here, showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
Notable Inscriptions
The stone walls feature 31 inscriptions, including “Stone Forest (石林),” “Heavenly Wonder (天造奇观),” and “Deep in Colorful Clouds (彩云深处).” As visitors stroll through the area, they are greeted with extraordinary sights and a sense of adventure, with winding peaks and breathtaking views that evoke feelings of excitement and joy.
Geographical Features
- Youlan Deep Valley (幽兰深谷): This is the location with the greatest height difference among the stone peaks, reaching over 50 meters.
- Bishou Mountain (步哨山): The highest point in the stone forest, with an elevation of 1,875 meters.
Liziqing Stone Forest is recognized as the largest, most concentrated, and most beautiful area within the scenic spot. It comprises various sections such as Shilin Lake, the Big Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest, and Lizi Garden. The stone forest boasts a myriad of shapes and sizes, with breathtaking beauty that is often described as “the world’s number one wonder (天下第一奇观)” and “a museum of stone forests (石林博物馆).” It is renowned alongside other famous attractions like the Forbidden City (故宫) in Beijing, the Terracotta Army (兵马俑) in Xi’an, and the picturesque scenery of Guilin (桂林).
Visiting Information
- Opening Hours: 07:00 – 18:00
- Ticket Price: 175 RMB; it’s a 4A scenic area.
- Contact Numbers: 0871-67719006; 0871-67711606
- Recommended Duration: 1-3 hours
- Included in Admission: Free entrance to the Liziqing Stone Forest as part of the Shilin Scenic Area ticket.
- Visitor Hours: 08:30 – 17:30 (January 1 – December 31, Monday – Sunday)
- Location: Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province (云南省昆明市石林彝族自治县境内)
石壁上有“石林”、“天造奇观”、“彩云深处”等31处题刻，游人漫步其中，只觉得奇景迭出，险象环生，峰回路转，异境天开，常使人心动神驰，乐而忘返。幽兰深谷是大石林石峰高差最大的地方，高达50余米。步哨山为石林的最高点，海拔1875米。
