Today is my first day in Kunming and I was thinking if I should visit the famous stone forests in Shilin. It is an expensive attraction to visit at 175rmb per entry. In the end, I decided to head there since I'm already in Kunming.
Waking up a little late, I headed out of the hostel at 9am. Walking to the correct bus station was tricky as the bus I wanted to board, K9, only stopped at specific stops in the city. It's the fastest way to Kunming East Bus Station. Along the way, a nice elderly gentleman guided me there, even following me to make sure I reach the correct bus stop. The bus ride from city to Kunming East Bus Station took about 40 minutes and over there, I bought a bus ticket, 34rmb, to Shilin Stone Forest Scenic Area. The bus ride to Shilin Stone Forest Scenic Area took 2 hours.
Upon reaching there, it was drizzling slightly so it was a little harder to move around. Over there, I found out that an annual pass costs 25rmb more at 200rmb and thus, I bought an annual pass. It allows for unlimited entries in a year to the stone forest. In addition, it is necessary to take a shuttle bus in and out from the main entrance to the actual stone forest which is 3km away. That was another 25rmb spent.
Heading in, the forest seemed so daunting and vast. Beautiful grey, white, brown and black chunks of rock protruded out of the ground. There are so many large rocks and navigating through the rocky forest was quite fun. There were a little stairs to climb to reach higher ground, and there was a pavilion for viewing the entire stone forest. The view was pretty good.
As it was raining, I only managed to briefly cover Major Stone Forest and a fair bit of the Minor Stone Forest within the 3.5 hours that I was there. My initial plan was to visit the Naigu Stone Forest which was behind the Major Stone Forest. However that would need a full day there, perhaps even spending a night there to see the place at night! The place is open 24 hours a day.
At about 4pm, I made my way back to the city and by the time I was back in hostel, it was 7pm! Having heard good reviews from the web, I decided to visit Hong Dou Lou for dinner. Ordered a sweet sour fish, claypot lion head Meatball and dongchuan fried potatoes and it turned out to be only 109rmb! The food wasn't fantastic but the portions huge and satisfying.
Back in the hostel at night, spent the night at the lounge bar with my roommates playing billiards and cards. Such a relaxing evening.
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