A Walk Through The Stone Forest In China
In China there is a place capable of challenging the imagination, it is the famous Stone Forest, which is located in the autonomous county of Shilin Yi, in the province of Yunnan. These impressive rock formations constitute one of the main tourist attractions in the country. Would you like to meet him? Join us and discover it with us.
The impressive Shilin Stone Forest
This stony forest is a set of limestone formations that are believed to have emerged from the depths of the sea millions of years ago. After years of erosion as a result of climatic changes, these gigantic stones were taking the shape we know today. In short, it is a spectacular and one-of-a-kind landscape.
These impressive stones emerge from the ground in different shapes. Some look like petrified trees, hence the definition of the stone forest.
Touring this incredible park is very simple, in fact, it is not completely necessary to hire a guide for it. There is only one guide that points out some of the most important stones, those that have a certain shape, which, for the most part, are very close to the main entrance.
It is interesting to walk through the Shilin forest without any special guide, in order to enjoy, stop and observe those stones that most attract our attention. Experts believe that some of these gigantic stones are more than 270 million years old.
The Stone Forest as such is part of the Shilin National Scenic Area, which in turn is divided into seven other areas: Greater and Lesser Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Zhiyun Cave, Qifeng Cave, Dadie Waterfall, Yue Lake and Chang Lake.
A total of 350 square kilometers make up this amazing place. In 2007 both the Naigu stone park and the Suogeyi village were declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
The legend of the Stone Forest
Although the formation of the Stone Forest is due to the dissolution of the limestone, or as other experts believe to the irruption of the same from the depths of the sea, on a cultural level the explanation is another. In fact, many citizens believe that the origin of this forest is much more mystical than scientific.
Legend has it that the forest is the birthplace of Ashima, a beautiful young yi girl. The Yi are part of one of the 56 ethnic groups recognized by the Chinese government.
It is said that the young woman fell madly in love with one of her suitors. At first, the girl’s family agreed that she marry her lover; However, as the weeks passed, they changed their mind and forbade her to marry the chosen suitor.
After that terrible disappointment, the young woman, consumed by sadness, turned to stone. Since then, the yi culture celebrates every year on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month a festival in commemoration of Ashima. The Torch Festival, that is the name of this festival, in which numerous activities are carried out, including fighting competitions and folk dances.
The Stone Forest is one of those places that seem taken out of a painting. Observing the greatness of that landscape makes us believe that something magical must have happened to form a place that is capable of challenging our own imagination.
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind destination, a destination that embodies the greatness of nature, history and culture, the China Stone Forest should be your next goal. It is definitely one of those places that we should all know and visit even once in our lives. And you, would you like to know this curious and magnificent forest?
