Hunnans’ Stone Forest
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Posted by Fotopoulou Sophia in Travelling section |
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This Stone Forest, is one of China's most famous scenic spots and is quoted as "the most fantastic scenery under heaven". It is located 126 kilometers southeast of Kunming city of Yunnan Province. Due to erosion and brushing along the crevices of limestones over aeons by sea waters, the sea bottom was broken up and moulded into a multitude of stone pillars, V-shaped gorges and eroded cracks. A myriad of grotesque pinnacles shot up and formed a spectacular stone forest.
About the formations of the stone forest, the legend goes that immortals smashed a mountain into a labyrinth for lovers seeking some privacy. Whilst this legend offers a good story, modern science gives a reasonable answer. According to geologist's studies and verifications, the Stone Forest was a vast expanse of sea in the carboniferous period of Paleozoic era which commenced 270 million years ago. Later the sea receded due to the movement of the earth's crust and the limestone deposited on the seabed rose up, and hence formed the land. Eons of weathering and erosion dissolved the stone and broadened the fissures, and finally molded them into groups of pillars, which from a distance resemble a dense mass of trees.
It is a massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rainwater and eroded to their present fanciful shapes. Covering a total area of 350 square kilometers, it includes the big and small stone forests, and other scenic spots such as the “Moon Lake”, “Dadie Waterfall”, and “The Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave”. Since the Ming Dynasty, Stone Forest has long been one of the most famous scenic spots in China.
Taking in the shapes of the pagodas, walls, pillars, swords and animals, as well as huge number of vertically carved, fantastically shaped limestone pillars scattered here and there. One of them is engraved with two big words “Stone Forest”, and together, these shapes form a marvellous landscape. Range between 6 feet and 98 feet in the height, these pillars, from a distance, look like a dense forest. No wonder, that strolling among them, one would think that he was in a maze.
Major scenic spots in Stone Forest include Sword Peak Pond, Jade Lake, Lotus Blossom Peak, Big Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadie Waterfall, Zhiyun Cave, Qifeng Cave, Long Lake, Moon Lake, and Peak View Pavilion.
Walking on, the numerous fantastic stone peaks, rock pillars, stone flowers, rock levels, and rock flows which appear in succession would make you believe that you are in a kingdom which only exists in fairy tales.
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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