Under the Stone Forest, Caves and Ancient Oceans are Hidden

The natural beauty around Kunming cannot be captured just by thinking of plains and lakes. In Shilin, you can walk through a karst landscape where limestone columns rise like a forest, while in Juxiang, you encounter immense caves and underground rivers beneath the gorges. The fossil museum in the southern area of Qingjiang and Maotian Mountain showcase the record of life evolution from the Cambrian period, while the Hongtu land in Dongchuan displays a palette created by geology and agriculture.

This list groups natural and geological sites adjacent to Kunming's administrative region that can be visited in a day. It is not advisable to see Shilin, Juxiang, Qingjiang, and Dongchuan all in one day due to the distance between them. Choose only one region and confirm round-trip transportation and last entry times beforehand. Be prepared for cave stairs, highland UV exposure, and mountain trails during the rainy season, and avoid actions like collecting fossils or rocks or exiting the protected areas.

Each site showcases the same material, stone, on completely different time scales. The rock columns in Shilin explain the shapes created by water eroding limestone, the caves in Juxiang illustrate the movements of groundwater, and the Qingjiang fossil sites convey the traces of early animal life. The Hongtu land in Dongchuan presents a contemporary landscape enhanced by the red soil rich in iron and agriculture, while Yangzhonghai and Zhaozi Mountain help you experience the difference in water and altitude.

While at the sites, don't just be awed by the 'strange rocks' but instead take note of one aspect each from the signboards regarding the rocks, layers, and formation reasons. Use authorized transportation for long distances and avoid using informal transportation options. In the rainy season, check for landslides and cave access, and confirm whether the high altitudes are frozen during winter. By adhering to protected area rules and documenting travel times and stair difficulties, it can provide helpful suburban travel materials for the next visitors.