The Stone Forest is known as "One of Earth's
Natural Wonders". All
visitors to Kunming from home and abroad never hesitate to come
here to
admire the unique scenes formed by the stones. The Stone Forest is
located
in Shilin County, 85 kilometres southeast of Kunming. Covering a
few
hundred square kilometres, stone peaks rise abruptly from the
ground in
numerous layers like bamboo shoots, forests and pagodas. If you
climb to
the top of one of the peaks, you can behold thousands of peaks and
valleys
just like a marvelous vast black forest. The roads wind around
between
the peaks, taking visitors to ever more unexpected and beautiful
scenes.
Researches by Chinese and overseas geologists have proved that the
Stone
Forest is over 270 million years old. The area used to be an
ocean. During
the Long Geological Period from the late Permian Period 230million
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 forms seem today.
Wandering in the Stone Forest is a unique experience .The stone
mountains
form strange shapes, the peaks are like poems and pictures, like
the
vertical "Lotus Peak," the majestic "Rhinoceros Admiring the Moon"
and
the graceful "Pavilion Observing the Peaks". 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.
Among all the scenic spots in the Stone Forest, the rock of Ashima in
the Small Stone Forest is the most famous. The rock of Ashima
resembles a
girl of the Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group, with a
kerchief
on her head, and a bamboo basket on her back. The shape and
expression are
both surprisingly lifelike. Ashima was a beautiful girl in a Sani
folk
tale. She is a symbol of the hope for freedom to choose who to
marry, and
a happy life for the Sani people. This is a story of a young
couple who
fall in love, but cannot marry each other. It was first written
down in
the 1940s and performed in Kunming. It has been published several
times,
and was filmed in the 1960s. The national dance drama "Ashima" is
on the
list of the top Chinese dances in the 20th century. Since then "Ashima"
has been translated into eight languages including
English, German, French,
and Russian and has shed its beauty throughout the international
community.
Walking through the Stone Forest, we can still find traces of
the
Neolithic Age. On the cliffs and peaks we find ancient frescos
painted
using a mixture of animal blood and minerals. This is a beautiful
place
combining the spirit of the ethnic minorities and natural scenery.
Close
to the Stone Forest are other scenic spots such as the Black Stone
Forest, the Dadieshui Waterfall, the Changhu Lake (Long Lake), and the
Ziyundong
(Purple Clouds) Cave. Lakes, mountains, caves and rocks add more
charm to
the Stone Forest area. Every year, on the 24th day of the 6th lunar
month,
the Yi people celebrate their Torch Festival . Traditional
activities
including wrestling and bull fighting, and joyous singing and
dancing
always last throughout the whole night.
Front Scenery of Stone Forest: As soon as one
enters the Stone Forest scenic area, a crystal-clear lake comes
into focus. By the east lakeside, rise from the water a good array
of fantastic stone pinnacles, pillars, shoots, and stalactites,
resembling a natural potted scenery. A few hundred steps beyond
the lake, there is a pool with a huge boulder in the shape of a
squatting lion. Hence it's given the name of "Lion Pool". Further
on, a couple of tall limestones block the way like a green screen.
Greater Stone Forest: Inside the sea of Stone
Forest, one feels as if were in a bizarre fairyland. The stone
formations standing still resemble a variety of things such as
ancient fortresses, birds, beasts, flowers, trees, human beings,
and whatever else one can imagine.
Lesser Stone Forest: It adjoins the Greater Stone
Forest, and has large lawns, lush growth of bamboos and trees as
well as mountain flowers in Spring and Autumn. Most fantastic are
"The Cluster of Pinnacles Propping up the Sky" and "The Stone
Singing Praises of Plums".
Outer Stone Forest: It's gifted with myriad of
stone peaks of various shapes. The Lion Hill resembles a squatting
male lion on a height.
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