Shangri-la : Part 19 - Stone Forest Kunming

30 Oct 2012 : This morning, we are leaving Lijiang for Kunming. We got a hired taxi from the inn we stayed in. It was RMB100 for a taxi. Eager I was to leave the cold place, because I was told Kunming is warmer.

The scheduled flight at 8.40am was delayed because the weather could not support the flight. It was required to offload 6 passengers, and they will sit in the next plane. There were 4 volunteers, and no one came up. Passengers were shouting in the airport. The words that I remembered clearly from one angry man - Why did the company sell all the tickets? Just for profit? If the flight can't support the passengers, that means there is no safety element at all! Finally, 2 foreigners volunteered after being explained to them the situation. It was an hour delay. By the way, this is China Eastern flight. Our flight ticket costs RMB381 per person.

In the flight, we decided to spend the 2nd half of the day in Stone Forest. It is a UNESCO Area and I wanted to see that. After a 40-minute flight, we safely reached Kunming. And it was cold. Because it rained. I love this floral painting in Kunming Airport. In the airport, we were looking for a ride to town. Amazingly, it was so easy to get a ride.

First girl came up to us and offered RMB20 per person for the van. So, while waiting for a confirmation from her friend, another girl came up to us and said that she can give RMB20 too. So, we followed the 2nd girl to save time. The first girl managed to get her friend, and persuaded us to follow them. We declined, and told them to find other customers, and not waste their time with us. Along the way to town, we discussed with the girl to bring us to Stone Forest. We got a hired ride from the girl's travel company for RMB100.

About 40 minutes later, we reached our place of stay. This place, Home Inn Hotel was recommended and booked by my friend, Xu Ke. After communicating with him in Shangri-la, we emailed each other, and I gave him the green light to book for us, a strategic budget place. He contacted 2 of his friends in Kunming, and finally booked for us this place! I felt so lucky to know him!

We were very happy with the place. The room costs us RMB219. Good thing we did not take up the offer from the travel agent whom told us the price of stay in Kunming is averaged at RMB280. We got a total reduction of about RMB40 since we registered as a member of this Hotel. This Hotel has many branches around China. It's a good place of stay, and has a good toilet too.

At about 12.30pm, we left the hotel because the hired ride was already waiting for us.

After about an hour ride, we reached the Stone Forest. The entrance ticket is RMB175. It was drizzling, and it was cold. We did not bring an umbrella, and fortunately, the drizzle stopped!

We were queuing to take the tram when we realised that we needed to buy another ticket to take the tram. The tram ride cost us RMB25. I found this arrangement a day-light robbery.

It was about a 5-minute ride to the main entrance. The road to the main entrance looks like the main road. We saw tourists walking.

The initial walk in the Stone Forest was not special. There was no sun, and hence, the lake looks plain and dull. Stone Forest is in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and also UNESCO Geopark. In my mind, I had a picture that I will be walking through a maize of towering stones. But the pathway here is neat.

Each stone formation has a name, and you have to imagine the looks based on the name given. It reminded me of the caves I went into in Guilin. Since it drizzled, we had to be careful walking up and down the steps.

This is a Lotus Lake because there are lotus-look-alike stones around the area. Can you see those lotus-look-alike stones? They are the stones on the top with jagged ends. 

This is the main square of the Stone Forest.

We saw a structure at the top. We were sure there will be an awesome view to see from the top. So, we followed the path that will bring us there. The path was narrow to go to the peak.

Ta-da! The view of the Stone Forest from the top!

We were surprised to see a phone booth there.

This is the Sword Peak Pond. There used to be a sword-look-alike stone, but the earthquake destroyed the sword, and left the hilt of the sword. I am not sure how true is that. Sometimes, the stories told sound like a fairytale.

Since we had bought the tram ticket, we took the tram around the area. And saw more stones outside. It was going to be a long walk if we attempt to venture. 

After the tram ride, we walked back to the main entrance. Lots of flowers here. The ride was waiting for us outside, and it was about 1.5 hours back to the hotel because the traffic was so bad.