Last updated: March 2026. Ticket and opening hours subject to venue; confirm before you go.
The Stone Forest is a karst pinnacle landscape about 80 km southeast of Kunming—sword- and column-like rocks line the paths like a forest of stone. The site has Major and Minor Stone Forest and other sections, with shuttle buggies and walking paths; a full walk is about 3–4 hours, or choose sections for around 2 hours. From downtown Kunming it’s about 1.5 hours by road; most people do a day trip—morning there, afternoon back, or the reverse. Paid entry; busy in peak season—arrive early or go on a weekday.
What Makes It Worth It
The Stone Forest is Yunnan’s karst icon and a UNESCO natural heritage site—the image you know from books and posters. For anyone who wants “to see the Stone Forest once,” it’s the most worthwhile trip from Kunming; with Green Lake and the Golden Temple it forms a “city + outskirts” combo. It fits into Dali and Lijiang itineraries—see the Stone Forest in Kunming first, then head west—or 1–2 days in Kunming with the Stone Forest as the main outing. Moderate fitness; lots of paths and steps—comfortable shoes and water.
What to Expect
Don't Miss
Practical Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission | Paid; site entry; shuttle separate or in combo, as per venue |
| Booking/Tickets | Official site or Trip.com (confirm on venue) |
| Suggested time | Half to full day (including round-trip from Kunming) |
| Opening hours | As per venue; usually daytime |
| Transport | Tourist shuttle, private car or shared ride from Kunming; ~1.5 hrs one way |
Getting There
The Stone Forest is the most worthwhile karst trip from Kunming; half to full day including transport; paths and shuttle together, moderate fitness. With Green Lake, the Golden Temple and cross-bridge rice noodles it’s the standard Kunming 1–2 day set; if you continue to Dali or Lijiang, slot the Stone Forest on your first or last Kunming day.
If you only have one day in Kunming and want to focus on the city, Green Lake and the Golden Temple are enough; if you want “Yunnan karst,” the Stone Forest is the nearest and largest single stop.
- Kunming City Guide — Complete city guide
