Stone Forest
The Stone Forest lies about 126 kilometers to the southeast of Kunming. It has long been one of the most famous scenic sites in China and also one of the earliest sights opened for foreign tourists since 1980s.
As a geological phenomenon, scientific research has determined that the Stone Forest was a vast expanse of sea during the Paleozoic era, some 270 million years ago. The stone forest, a karst landscape, was formed by erosion, sedimentation, collapse, fall, and the accumulation of limestone. Shapes of formations resulted from the process, including peaks, towers, columns, flowers, caves and ledges all made of stone, all molded by nature. Sani Yi ethnic people inhabits around the Stone Forest. In every lunar year on 24th June, the Sani people celebrate their Torch Festival nearby the site.