Stone Forest
The Stone Forest of Shilin, about two hours' drive from Kunming,
is a breathtaking and eerie landscape which is a must-see for
tourists in the area. It is called a forest because the limestone
pillars and stalagmites poking out of the green hillsides look like
petrified trees. The rock formations are believed to be over 270
million years old and were formed by the slow erosion of the
limestone over time. The Shilin National Scenic Area includes seven
areas: the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests (also called Lizijing
Stone Forest), Naigu Stone Forest, Zhiyun Cave, Lake Chang, Lake
Yue, Dadie Waterfall and Qifeng Cave. The Naigu Stone Forest and
Suogeyi Village, also within the scenic area, are both UNESCO World
Heritage Sites.
It is a distinctive, and highly unusual landscape and is
definitely worth seeing, but can be crowded with tourists at peak
times (over three million people visit every year). Visitors can
avoid the masses by going in the morning or early evening, and
avoiding weekends and Chinese public holidays. Another good reason
for getting there early is that very few of the hundreds of guides
speak English. Visitors are advised to wear sensible walking shoes
and pack for the weather: the stone forests are actually quite
wonderful in rainy weather if in possession of an umbrella or
waterproof clothing.
Stone Forest
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Jiuxiang Scenic Area
The Jiuxiang Scenic Area near Kunming is only 7.7 square miles
(20km sq) but packs a big punch in terms of important sights with
five very popular tourist attractions: Diehong Bridge, Alu Long,
Dasha Dam, Mingyue Lake and Sanjiao Cave. Diehong Bridge, Dasha Dam
and Sanjiao Cave all have picturesque 'stone forests' with China's
distinctive karst limestone formations, while Diehong Bridge also
has twin waterfalls with a large natural stone dam cluster, and
Dasha Dam has lush green forest.
Jiuxiang is the home of the aboriginal Yi people, and Alu Long
is home to the excavated Yi cliff paintings of the Qin (221 BC -
206 BC) and Han (206 BC - 220 AD) dynasties. Yi customs and culture
are still evident today in the many legends and folk stories. These
stories come to life in the magical subterranean world of the
Jiuxiang area, which includes more than a hundred caves, featuring
natural underground waterfalls, bridges, valleys and rivers.
Jiuxiang Scenic Area is located 55.9 miles (90km) from Kunming, and
makes an excellent day trip. Visitors should bring warm clothes, as
the interior of the caves can be quite cool. It is also recommended
that travellers bring water and comfortable shoes, because all the
climbing and walking (and paddling if seeing the caves by boat) can
be tiring.
Address:
Yiliang County
Jiuxiang Scenic Area
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Yuantong Temple
Unsurprisingly, the ancient Yuantong Temple in Yunnan
Province, with its unique setting and architecture, is easily one
of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. The temple is
situated in a natural depression at the foot of Yuantong hill, in
northern Kunming, and was built in the late 8th century. Today it
showcases an interesting mixture of architectural styles, mainly
from the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. It is an active temple, where
visitors can hear chanting and classes being conducted as they
explore; monks and pilgrims can be seen going about their daily
business in the complex, which makes the experience truly authentic
and allows some insight into the functioning of a Buddhist temple
in the 21st century.
For a remarkable panoramic view of the temple
complex, travellers can climb Yuantong Hill by taking one of the
stone staircases carved into the mountain on either side of the
main hall. These stairways boast the most ancient inscriptions in
Kunming, carved into the stone wall and still readable after
centuries of exposure to the weather. There are also some
impressive statues and carvings within the temple, including two
ferocious dragons carved into pillars dating from the Ming
Dynasty.
Green Lake, a lovely scenic area, is a ten minute
walk from the temple and there is a popular vegetarian restaurant
just outside the complex.
Address:
Juantong Jie, Kunming.
Opening time:
Daily from 9am-5pm
Yuantong Temple
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Kunming's subtropical highland climate causes dry winters and
warm summers. The city's position on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
makes its conditions moderate by Chinese standards.
The warmest part of the year lasts from early April to the
middle of September, with average high temperatures sitting between
68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°). Light to moderate rains and
thunderstorms are frequent during this period, especially in July.
Summer can have humidity levels of over 90 percent.
The cold season lasts between the end of November and early
February. Winter temperatures tend to average between 39°F (4°C)
and 63°F (17°C), with occasional showers and little chance of
snow.
Even though conditions suit travel for most of the year, the
period between March and October is popular with both locals and
tourists.
Kunming Changshui International Airport
Location: The airport is located 24 miles (39km) from Kunming city
centre.
Time: GMT +8
Getting to the city:
Several bus routes connect the airport to the city.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available at the airport.
Facilities:
Airport facilities include shops, restaurants, snack bars,
coffee shops, banks, a first-aid room, lounges, and a children's
play area.
Parking
Parking is available at the airport.
Most people use buses and taxis to get around Kunming, while
inter-city travel is usually done in trains. The Kunming Railway
Station is the most useful for travel to other parts of China. Long
distance buses can also be used for travel between cities, with the
South Bus Station providing access to most regional
destinations.
For local transport, the partially completed Kunming Metro has
several operational lines in the city. In addition, Kunming has a
highly developed bus system that is affordable and runs until
around 10:30pm. Taxis are widely available except at peak traffic
times, but travellers should have their destination written down in
Chinese as very few drivers speak English. Travellers also have the
option of hiring a bicycle from a hostel or hotel in the city.
Although parts of Kunming are industrial and unattractive, its
dramatic setting among limestone hills makes it special. Its
tourist attractions are varied and impressive.
Jiuxiang Scenic Area tops many travel itineraries, given that
it's packed with natural phenomena that it could easily occupy
visitors for a day or more. Jiuxiang has a magical subterranean
world made up of more than 100 caves, as well as cliff paintings
that date back to the Qin and Han dynasties. It also has several
waterfalls and 'stone forests': striking limestone formations
eroded over centuries to look like frozen trees. The Stone Forest
of Shilin has the most impressive examples of these rather eerie
formations.
Travellers who want to venture off the beaten track should head
to the Dongchuan Red Land in Huashitou Country. Although the area's
lack of infrastructure can make travel less comfortable, the
landscapes are unspoiled, colourful and startlingly beautiful.
Yuantong Temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions
in Kunming. This active, beautiful Buddhist temple's history spans
over 1 000 years. Green Lake is a popular park and lakeside area
for relaxation, exercise and leisurely strolls.
Otherwise, Kunming has many malls, cinemas, shopping streets and
entertainment complexes.