Stone Forest

Description 

CAUTION: This information is current circa 2004. Be prepared for things to have changed, like everywhere else in China

In 1999 and early 2000, Ma Zhiyong, Wang Zhiming, Zhou Chenshu (aka, Chong) and others, in the first attempt at Yunnan sport climbing, bolted 2 routes on limestone towers within 2 km of the train station. There are also two or three trad routes in the same area, including the one listed here. The formations containing these climbs are difficult to locate without someone to guide you. They are widely dispersed and embedded within a landscape with many similar-looking features.

Several factors contributed to the Stone Forest climbing being abandoned in 2000. The travel time and cost between Kunming and the Stone Forest makes it inconvenient for regular day trips. The climbs are short and generally lack diversity. And the Stone Forest cannot compete with the much superior climbing terrain of the Western Hills and Fumin Canyon, which are easily accessible from Kunming.

Getting There 

The Stone Forest (Shi Lin) is a well-known tourist attraction 100 km east of Kunming, in what is now called Stone Forest (formerly Lu Lan) Yi Autonomous County. Tourists are shuttled there either by bus or by the very convenient express train that departs regularly from the South Train Station in Kunming. The train ride takes 90 minutes and drops you at a seemingly improbable location in the rural countryside of central Yunnan. Stone Forest Park is about 5 km from the train station and nearly all passengers will transfer to the various other forms of transportation waiting outside the station. The rock climbing is in the vicinity of the train station. Checkout any China or Yunnan guidebook for the details of Stone Forest access.