Kunming | Stone Forest Free Travel Pitfall Avoidance Guide!!!

I've been to Kunming many times, but never to the Stone Forest. I couldn't resist the allure of this 270 million-year-old karst landscape, so I decided to check it out. Despite doing my homework, I was still confused when I arrived at the Stone Forest, so I've written down some tips to help you avoid the same pitfalls. 📍. Stone Forest Scenic Area, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City ⏰. Visiting hours: 7:30-18:00 🚗. Travel option 1: Kunming East Bus Station to Stone Forest Bus Station, 90min, 34 RMB/person, departs on time. About 1h20min later, you will arrive at a transfer station where a guide will board the bus and give a brief introduction, suggesting you visit Jiuxiang (an underground cave) first, then come back to the Stone Forest. So if you plan to visit the Stone Forest, be sure to consider whether you want to go to Jiuxiang first to avoid frustration or regret. 🚗. Travel option 2: If you choose the high-speed train, Kunming South to Shilin West, 18 RMB/person, 19min. There is a direct bus from Shilin West High-Speed Train Station to and from the Stone Forest Scenic Area, Stone Forest Route 99, 10 RMB/person, 1h. I don't really recommend this because it takes a long time to get from the city center to Kunming South Station, and there is still a 1h journey after getting off at Shilin West High-Speed Train Station. The round-trip time is more hassle than going directly from Kunming East Bus Station to the entrance of the scenic area. . Large luggage can be stored for 5 RMB/bag, right at the entrance of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, visible as soon as you get off the bus. ⭐️. After getting off at the Stone Forest Scenic Area, you need to walk 10-15min to the Visitor Center. Ticket price: 130 RMB/person, electric cart 25 RMB/person. The round trip from the Visitor Center to the scenic parking spot is about 6km, so you must buy an electric cart ticket, otherwise, you'll be exhausted. ⭐️. This is the most important point, please remember. The scenic area is divided into the Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, Liziyuan Qing, and Bushao Mountain, approximately 4 attractions. There will be guides at the Visitor Center who will explain the area. No matter the size of your group, it costs 160 RMB for a tour of the main attractions, the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests; they are not responsible for other attractions. You really need to hire a guide, otherwise, you will get lost. If you think the price is too high, you can try to join a group with a guide. Especially during the off-season when there are fewer people, it's easy to take the wrong path and finding the exit can be particularly difficult. Don't trust the map; in the Stone Forest, it's useless. (I got lost many times from personal experience). ⭐️. The essence of the scenic area is the 'Stone Forest' in the Greater Stone Forest and 'Ashima' in the Lesser Stone Forest. Visit other areas as your strength allows. It's not about physical endurance, but rather the ease of getting lost. It's okay when it's the busy season and there are many people, but in the off-season, when there are few people, there's no one to ask for directions. Safety comes first when you're out and about. ⭐️. Following the guide's route through the Greater and Lesser Stone Forest takes about 2h30min. There are surprises along the way; many Yi elders will come out to sing and play instruments. They are usually busy with farming, but sometimes they come out. In the Stone Forest, you can listen to the duxianqin, play the sanxian, admire Yi embroidery, and the songs carry a strong ethnic flavor...