A two-hour bus ride from Kunming, the Stone Forest (Shílín, 石林) is one of Yunnan's best-known attractions. The unique karst limestone formations are the inspiration for a whole school of Chinese art, and the Stone Forest's collection of columns and other whimsical stone formations make for endless cloud-gazing/Rorschach-type "looks like" fun for those so inclined. 

If your imagination isn't geared toward deciding whether a rock formation looks more like a rabbit on its hind legs or a enormous stalk of celery, well, you can simply enjoy the eerie landscape for its sheer beauty. 

The main paths through the forest can be crowded with tourists, but it's possible to perservere and find yourself completely alone on a rough trail away from the park's center, pondering the bizarre geological formations.

Every summer on the 24th day of the sixth month of the lunar year, the traditional Yi Torch Festival is celebrated here, featuring bull fights, wresting, folk dancing, singing and a festive bonfire.

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