Shilin, the Earth's Fantastic Alien World! Why has this 300-million-year-old geological wonder in Yunnan become a world-class attraction?

Morning sunlight filters through the jagged stone peaks, casting golden reflections on the surface of Jianfeng Pond. Mr. Wang, a photography enthusiast from Shanghai, quickly presses the shutter, capturing this breathtaking moment. “This is not Earth; it’s clearly an alien world!” Mr. Wang wrote on his social media, and his photo quickly received over a hundred likes. This post attracted many inquiries about the location, and it’s not an isolated case. With the arrival of the summer travel peak season, Shilin Scenic Area has welcomed a large number of tourists. As a World Natural Heritage site, a Global Geopark, and a National 5A-level tourist attraction, Shilin is renowned for its 270-million-year-old karst landforms, making it a golden brand of tourism in Yunnan. --- 01 Geological Wonder: 300 Million Years of Creation, the World’s Greatest Marvel Shilin is located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, about 80 kilometers from Kunming’s urban area. This 400-square-kilometer area is dotted with hundreds of giant stone clusters resembling a black forest, a typical karst landscape. The formation of Shilin dates back 270 million years when this area was once a vast ocean. Large deposits of limestone accumulated on the seabed, and through long geological epochs of crustal movement, the sea receded, and the seabed rose to become land. Subsequently, rainwater and groundwater continuously dissolved and eroded the rock, eventually sculpting this spectacular "natural sculpture museum." The main touring area, Liziqing Shilin, covers about 12 square kilometers, with a sightseeing area of approximately 1,200 acres. It mainly consists of Shilin Lake, Great Stone Forest, Small Stone Forest, and Liziyuan, with over 5,000 meters of trails. It is the largest, most concentrated, and most beautiful single area within the Shilin Scenic Area. 02 Core Attractions: The Five Must-Visit Areas of Shilin Great Stone Forest: A Maze of Sword-like Peaks The Great Stone Forest centers on dense, bluish-gray, sword-shaped stone peaks, with the tallest independent rock pillar exceeding 40 meters. The peaks are steep as if carved by knives, with sharp and smooth lines. There are many iconic spots here, including Shilin Scenic Spot (inscribed by Zhu De), A Hair’s Breadth (a giant rock suspended in midair), and Jianfeng Pond (reflection of stone peaks in the water). Wangfeng Pavilion is the highest point in the scenic area and the best place to admire the sea of stone peaks. Standing at Wangfeng Pavilion, the towering stone forest stretching into the clouds is a feast for the eyes. Small Stone Forest: The Romantic Landmark of the Ashima Legend Compared to the dense Great Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest appears more open, elegant, and graceful. Thick and sturdy stone walls act like screens, dividing the Small Stone Forest into several garden-like areas. The famous Ashima stone peak is renowned for the Yi ethnic love legend. Its silhouette resembles the side profile of a young girl when backlit. This stone records the legend of Ashima and Aheige and is a naturally weathered human figure statue, vividly lifelike. Bushao Mountain: Historical and Geological Exploration at the Highest Point As the highest point in the scenic area, its summit reaches 1,796.7 meters, nearly 50 meters higher than the iconic Wangfeng Pavilion in the Great Stone Forest, offering a panoramic view of Shilin. Bushao Mountain features columnar stone forests and historical relics. Fossils of marine organisms from 270 million years ago (such as corals and gastropods) can be seen among the stone peaks, evidencing its ancient seabed geological history. Liziyuanqing: Primitive Rock Paintings and Wild Strange Stones On the barren hills spanning dozens of miles, strange pillars and stones abound. The stone walls of the forest preserve ancient cliff paintings of the Yi ancestors, depicting humans, animals, stars, and moon patterns with bold and mysterious lines, showcasing primitive religious sacrificial scenes. In April, wild roses and rhododendron seas cover the valleys, creating a "wilderness aesthetic" landscape with the ancient stone peaks, ideal for deep cultural explorers. Ten-Thousand-Year Lingzhi: A Blessing Landmark and Magical Light and Shadow The core attraction "Ten-Thousand-Year Lingzhi" is a stone peak about 15 meters high, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, resembling a giant lingzhi mushroom. Climbing to the top at sunset offers a view of Bimu Pond surrounded by peaks, where the changing light and shadow evoke the feeling of "embracing all the mountains in one glance." 03 Travel Tips: Secrets to Efficiently Touring Shilin Tickets and Opening Hours The basic ticket for Shilin Scenic Area is 130 yuan, and the electric cart costs 25 yuan. Opening hours are 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM (may vary by season, with entry stopping at 6:00 PM). It is recommended to spend 3-4 hours touring. Transportation Guide High-speed Rail: It takes only 18 minutes from Kunming South Station to Shilin West Station, then transfer to bus No. 99 directly to the scenic area (30 minutes, 10 yuan). Direct Shuttle: Take a direct shuttle bus from Kunming East Bus Station to Shilin Scenic Area, about 1.5 hours, starting at 34 yuan. Best Touring Routes One-day Highlights Tour (recommended for first-time visitors): Morning: Great Stone Forest core area → check in at Jianfeng Pond → climb Wangfeng Pavilion → walk through A Hair’s Breadth. Afternoon: Stroll through Small Stone Forest → visit Ashima stone peak (best backlit photography from 3 to 5 PM) → tour Ten-Thousand-Year Lingzhi area along the forest road. Two-day Deep Tour (for photography/cultural enthusiasts): Day 1: Core areas of Great and Small Stone Forest + Bushao Mountain → overnight at Xinglin Grand View Garden (experience medicinal cuisine dinner + hot springs). Day 2: Secret realm exploration → Naigu Stone Forest (dark flower sea and primitive stone pillars) → Nuohai Stone Village (Yi ethnic stone slab house village). 04 Yi Culture: The Ethnic Charm of Ashima’s Hometown The main ethnic group living in Shilin is the Yi people. The Yi are a singing and dancing nation, with a saying, "Those who can talk can sing mountain songs; those who can walk can dance the left-foot dance," perfectly describing the Yi people. During traditional festivals, people from all directions gather in Shilin to celebrate, with dragon dances, lion dances, and ethnic song and dance performances. The Ashima legend is an important part of Shilin Yi culture. In the Yi language, "Ashima" means "a girl shining like gold." This touching love story is widely spread through films, dramas, and other forms, becoming a significant symbol of Yi culture. 05 Photography Guide: Capture Shilin’s Most Beautiful Moments Golden Hours: Shoot the misty Jianfeng Pond in the early morning and the silhouette of Lingzhi Peak at dusk. The soft morning light better expresses the texture and layers of Shilin. Best Spots: Reflections by Shilin Lake and creative framing at Phoenix Comb Stone are hidden excellent photo points. Shoot Ashima stone peak in the Small Stone Forest from 3 to 5 PM; the backlight makes the silhouette most charming. Photography Tips: Use a wide-angle lens to capture Shilin’s grandeur, and a telephoto lens to capture details and light effects of the peaks from afar. Shilin after rain has a unique charm, with mist adding mystery. 06 Practical Tips: Pitfalls to Avoid and Thoughtful Advice Clothing Suggestions: The scenic area has many steps and slopes, so wear non-slip, comfortable sports shoes; high heels are unsuitable. Yunnan has strong UV rays, so sun protection is necessary; bring enough clothing for temperature changes between day and night. Avoid Peak Times: Enter before 7:30 AM to avoid tour group crowds. Avoid visiting before holidays when crowds are large and the experience diminishes. Food and Accommodation: There are dining areas inside the scenic area, but prices are slightly higher than in the city. It is recommended to bring water and snacks. Outside the scenic area, opposite the electric cart drop-off point, there is a food street offering stir-fry dishes, rice noodles, milk tea, fruits, and more. Other Tips: You can purchase guided tours to better understand Shilin’s geological features and Yi culture. The electric cart ticket is round-trip; keep the ticket safe. --- At dusk, the sunset on Bushao Mountain bathes the stone peaks in golden light, dyeing the entire Shilin golden. A visitor from Beijing sighed, "It’s not that I can’t afford to go abroad, but Shilin offers better value for money." The beauty of Shilin lies not only in its spectacular landforms but also in its profound cultural heritage and ethnic charm. Take advantage of the crisp autumn weather and come to Yunnan’s Shilin to experience this 300-million-year geological wonder! Note: Scenic area information may change; please check official announcements before traveling. Travel civilly, pay attention to safety, and protect this World Natural Heritage site.