Stone Forest | Experience the natural wonders carved by the hands of gods

Yunnan Stone Forest, a scenic and pleasant climate tourist destination, is home to countless peculiar peaks and mountains, and also the legendary love story of Ashima. According to legend, Ashima, a brave and kind Yi girl, fell in love with a Han Chinese young man. However, due to tribal taboos and opposition, their love was obstructed. To overcome this insurmountable gap, they chose to embrace each other and leap off a cliff to their deaths. After Ashima jumped off the cliff, her blood turned into a stream flowing through the mountains, and her bones turned into stones scattered throughout the Stone Forest. Therefore, the Ashima legend of the Stone Forest is also known as the 'Ashes Legend' or 'Bone Forest Legend', and the Stone Forest has thus become Ashima's eternal resting place. Tour Route Museum -> Big Stone Forest -> Small Stone Forest -> Sentry Mountain Museum (1.5h): The drop-off point for the scenic shuttle bus is right there. Group tours usually don't have time to visit, but it is highly recommended to go in and take a look. The wall full of sea lily fossils is extremely spectacular. There are also fist-sized dinosaur egg fossils. Big Stone Forest (2.5h): The largest section of the Stone Forest and the most worthwhile attraction to visit. Many popular photo spots are concentrated within the Big Stone Forest area. Those on group tours should keep up with the guide, as the paths inside the Stone Forest are complex and it's easy to get lost, with navigation being of little use. Among them, there are three must-visit spots: Stone Screen: A very large intact stone that shows three lines, representing the three significant changes in the sea level over hundreds of millions of years. Stone Forest: Inscribed personally by General Long Yun, who bestowed the name 'Stone Forest' to this magnificent landscape. Mountain Top: The highest point of the Big Stone Forest, offering a spectacular overlook of the entire Stone Forest. An excellent spot for photos and check-ins. Other various photo spots all gather people's imaginations, but these three are the most exquisite. Small Stone Forest (20min): Ashima scenic area, with even more beautiful scenery. The entrance gives a sense of Stonehenge. However, after the stunning Big Stone Forest, this place pales in comparison. Sentry Mountain (30min): The summit is even higher than the Big Stone Forest viewing platform, offering a more shocking view of the Big Stone Forest. However, the climb is quite boring, and the very top of the summit is the peak of the Stone Forest, with no proper path and requiring climbing over rocks, so safety is important. Transportation Group Tour: The most common way to visit, but it doesn't include the museum. Self-Drive: It is recommended to go at noon and start touring around one or two in the afternoon. By then, the group tours have left, and you can enjoy the scenic area by yourself. Bus: Requires a transfer from the high-speed train to the bus. Hitchhiking: It must be said that hitchhiking is the most convenient mode of transportation in all of Yunnan.