Stone Forest
The
world-famous Stone Forest lies within the boundaries of Lunan County,
126 kilometers southeast of Kunming. Covering an area of more than 400,000
mu, it is reputed as the Number One Grand Spectacle on Earth.
About 270 million years ago, the area where now stands the Stone Forest
was submerged in a vast ocean. As a result of countless earthquakes, landslides,
and the continuous rise and fall of the earths crust which raised the
ground to a high level, the sea gave place to a tableland. The constant
seeping of rain water containing carbonic acid through the cracks of the
stones gradually dissolved the stone and broadened the fissures. This
gave birth to small stone sprouts, which in course of time grew into separate
pillars. Owing to the weathering process through the millennia there finally
came into being a typical karst physiognomy - a most enchanting sight
of fantastic stone pillars.
The total area is about 27 thousand square meters. Tourists can follow
the tourist route which extends more than 5,000 meters.