Magical Stone Forest · The Most Beautiful Southeast Yunnan — Complete 7-Day In-Depth Travel Guide

**7-Day In-Depth Travel Guide to Yunnan Stone Forest and Surroundings — Explore Karst Wonders and Experience Yi Ethnic Culture** **Day 1: Arrive in Kunming, Adapt to the Plateau Climate** - **Morning**: Arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport, take the airport shuttle bus or metro to the city center, and check into a hotel near Green Lake or Nanping Street for convenient sightseeing. - **Afternoon**: Visit **Green Lake Park** to enjoy the leisurely atmosphere of the "Spring City." In summer, lotus flowers bloom beautifully. Then visit the **Yunnan Military Academy** to learn about modern military history. - **Evening**: Stroll through **Nanping Pedestrian Street** or **Jinma Biji Archways**, and taste Yunnan snacks such as Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles, Steam Pot Chicken, and Grilled Rice Cakes. **Day 2: Kunming → Stone Forest, First Exploration of a World Geological Wonder** - **Morning**: Drive to the **Stone Forest Scenic Area** (about 1.5 hours), tour the Great Stone Forest and Small Stone Forest, admire the famous "Ashima" rock formations, and marvel at the 270 million-year-old karst landscape. - **Afternoon**: Visit the **Naigu Stone Forest** (less crowded and picturesque, ideal for photography), then head to **Changhu Scenic Area** to experience the traditional customs of the Yi Sani people. - **Evening**: Stay at a hotel near the Stone Forest Scenic Area and enjoy Yi ethnic specialty dishes such as lamb soup hotpot and buckwheat cakes. **Day 3: In-Depth Tour Around Stone Forest (Jiuxiang Caves or Nuohai Stone Village)** - **Option A (Natural Wonders)**: Visit the **Jiuxiang Caves** (about 1 hour from Stone Forest), explore underground canyons and cave waterfalls, and take a boat ride through the Yincui Gorge. - **Option B (Cultural Experience)**: Visit **Nuohai Stone Village** (a Yi ethnic village), admire stone slab houses, experience Yi culture, and join a bonfire party in the evening. - **Evening**: Return to stay in Stone Forest or Kunming. **Day 4: Stone Forest → Fuxian Lake, Encounter the Pearl of the Plateau** - **Morning**: Drive to **Fuxian Lake** (about 2 hours), visit the **Luchong Scenic Area**, and climb Bijia Mountain for a panoramic lake view. - **Afternoon**: Take a boat tour on the lake, try sailing or diving (Fuxian Lake has excellent visibility, perfect for water activities), and visit the **Chengjiang Fossil Museum** to learn about the Cambrian explosion of life. - **Evening**: Stay at a lakeside guesthouse at Fuxian Lake and savor lake delicacies such as copper pot fish and wave-resistant fish. **Day 5: Fuxian Lake → Jianshui Ancient Town, Travel Through a Millennium** - **Morning**: Drive to **Jianshui Ancient Town** (about 3 hours), visit **Chaoyang Tower** and **Zhu Family Garden** to feel the cultural heritage of southern Yunnan. - **Afternoon**: Visit the **Jianshui Confucian Temple** (second in scale only to Qufu Confucius Temple), experience pottery making on **Zitao Street**, and ride the vintage narrow-gauge train (Lin’an Station → Tuanshan Station). - **Evening**: Stay at a guesthouse in Jianshui Ancient Town and enjoy local specialties like steam pot chicken, grilled tofu, and grass sprout rice noodles. **Day 6: Jianshui → Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Meet Earth’s Masterpiece** - **Morning**: Drive to the **Yuanyang Rice Terraces** (about 4 hours), enjoy the pastoral scenery of the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture along the way. - **Afternoon**: Visit the **Bada Terraces** or **Laohuzui Terraces** (lush and misty in summer), and capture spectacular farming landscapes. - **Evening**: Stay at a Hani ethnic village guesthouse and experience a long street banquet (if visiting during festivals). **Day 7: Yuanyang → Return to Kunming** - **Early Morning**: Go to the **Duoyishu Terraces** to watch the sunrise (morning mist and rosy clouds create a fairyland). - **Morning**: Return to Kunming (about 6 hours), with a possible stop at **Mile** to visit Dongfengyun Town (a popular art architecture complex). - **Afternoon**: Free time depending on flight/train schedule; you can shop for souvenirs like flower cakes and Pu’er tea to conclude your trip. --- **Travel Tips** 1. **Transportation**: There is a high-speed train (Stone Forest West Station) and tourist shuttle bus from Kunming to Stone Forest. Renting a car or private car is recommended for more flexibility. 2. **Clothing**: Yunnan has strong UV rays in summer; bring sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats. The temperature difference is large in the morning and evening at Yuanyang Rice Terraces, so bring a light jacket. 3. **Tickets**: Stone Forest Scenic Area 130 RMB, Jiuxiang Caves 90 RMB, Yuanyang Rice Terraces 70 RMB (some viewing platforms are free). 4. **Special Experiences**: Yi Torch Festival (if visiting in July-August), Jianshui Purple Pottery DIY, Fuxian Lake sailing. Hope this guide helps you enjoy your trip to Yunnan! Feel free to contact us anytime if you need to adjust the itinerary or add details~