Stone Forest and Hongtudi

In 2006, we started our tour to different parts of China. Our first destination was the Province of Yunnan in China. There are many scenic spots in Yunnan that attracted tourists all over the world. One interesting place we visited in Yunnan is the Stone Forest or Shilin (石林). The Stone Forest is located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, near Shilin approximately 120 km (75 mi) from the provincial capital Kunming. This place is full of rock formations. The tall rocks seem to emerge from the ground in the form of stalagmites, with many looking like petrified trees thereby creating the illusion of a forest made of stone. Since 2007, two parts of the site, the Naigu Stone Forest (乃古石林) and Suogeyi Village (所各邑村), have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of the South China Karst. The site is classified as a 5As-class tourist site.

Entrance to the Stone Forest National Park

Covering a few hundred square kilometres, these rock formations in Stone Forest rise abruptly from the ground in numerous styles like bamboo shoots, forests and pagodas. On top of these rocks, visitors can view the whole region; it is just like a vast black forest. These rock formations, caused by the dissolution of limestone, are believed to be over 270 million years old and are a tourist attraction for both overseas and local tourists.  There are narrow and winding pathways that run between the  rock formations, taking visitors to ever more unexpected and beautiful scenes.  This region used to be an ocean. During the Long Geological Period from the late Permian Period 230 million years ago to 2 million years ago , the ocean subsided and giant rocks appeared. During this time the rocks were gradually worn away by water, forming the strange rock formations seem today.  As soon as we entered the Stone Forest scenic area, a crystal-clear lake comes into focus. By the east side of the   lake, a good array of fantastic stone pinnacles, pillars, shoots, and stalactites rise from the water , resembling a natural potted scenery.



Inside the Stone Forest, we felt as if  we were in a bizarre fairyland. Wandering in this area is a unique experience As we walked through the winding path around the rocks, we noticed  these rocks form strange shapes, standing still they look like a variety of things such as ancient fortresses, birds, beasts, flowers, trees, human beings, and whatever else one can imagine. The layers of mountains seem to be pressing forward; the curious shaped rocks excite people's imagination. In the depth of the Stone Forest, numerous lakes are like bright mirrors reflecting the rocks and peaks. 

The elephant Rock

Tea drinking inYunnan

Stone Forest from far

 

 



Hongtudi as captured by professional photographer

On our second visit to Yunnan recently, we visited a place called the Hongtudi 红土地 (Red Earth). This is actually a plateau on a mountain where the land has been cultivated for farming purposes. We had to go up to another mountain in order to view this spectacular place.The interesting thing about this place is that the farmland is divided into many parcels of farmland, with several parcels of the land lying at different levels. From afar, the landforms look like steps of a ladder. During autumn season, visitors can see a variety of colours from the agricultural plants that grow on the farmland of this plateau. The sight is beautiful. The tour guide told us that to capture the full view of this place indicating the diversified colour, professional photographers sometimes have to stay in this place for a few weeks; just to wait for the right moment to capture this spectacular view as shown above. As my photographic skill is very ordinary, the image I captured was far from spectacular (see below).

The view captured in my camera.

Hongtudi 2

Hongtudi