Shilin, whose translation means Stone Forest, is located in Shilin County in the Yunnan Province of southwestern China. The closest large city is Kunming, which is about 85 kilometers away. Many bus tours to the Stone Forest originate in Kunming.
This is a very popular destination for vacationers from out of country, as well as locals who simply love the amazing geological features offered there. More than 230 million years ago, the land currently occupied by the Stone Forest was a vast sea. Today, it is know as one of the Natural Wonders of the World.
Tall and beautiful rock structures appear as though they have erupted from the ground. Their appearance is striking, and many of the rocks resemble gigantic slate colored trees. This, of course, was how the area received its name.
Visitors will have an incredible time exploring all of the different strange and wonderful features that the area has to offer. One of the most popular sites in and around the Stone Forest area is the Rock of Ashima. It is located in the Small Stone Forest and resembles a girl from the Sani people. The rock looks quite lifelike and is the source for a legend about a young couple that falls in love and run away to the Stone Forest.
You can also see some incredible paintings from the Neolithic Age throughout the area. Another feature that everyone who comes to the forest must visit is the caves.
A number of different caves are available through which you can wander. Some of the most popular caves in the Stone Forest are Zhiyun Cave, Hog Ear Cave, Daqian Cave, and the Magic Wind Cave. One of the interesting features of the Magic Wind Cave is that when you stand at its entrance, you can sometimes hear what sounds like breathing.
No matter where you decide to go in the Stone Forest, you must be sure to bring your camera along with you – there is no other place in the world that is quite like it.
It is likely that you will want to spend several days, perhaps a week or more, exploring the Stone Forest and surrounding areas. Rather than taking a trip in from Kunming each time you want to visit the area, it would be a smarter and more economical decision to stay in one of the hotels in the area. You can choose from among several, but before you decide on any hotel when on your vacation, you should visit HotelsCombined.com to find the best deals. | 
