From Lakeside Views to Stone Giants: A Kunming Day Tour at Dianchi & Stone Forest

Start the day by “seeing the sea” at Dianchi Lake, where blue waters stretch toward distant mountains. Take a leisurely stroll by the water, enjoy the breeze, or wander through a nearby park for a greener taste of local life. From autumn to early spring, keep an eye out for Dianchi’s seasonal VIPs—the lively black-headed gulls that love to steal the lakeside show.

With the last glimpse of Dianchi’s blue waters behind you, the journey takes a turn. Leave the lakeside breeze behind and watch Kunming’s city streets gradually give way to open countryside and rugged karst scenery. The drive itself becomes part of the adventure—a changing landscape that builds a little suspense for what’s ahead: a “forest” where the trees are made of stone.

Recommended restaurants near the attractions

By now, you’ve traded the lakeside breeze for the stone giants, so it’s time to pause and refuel. Choose a nearby restaurant for a relaxed Yunnan-style lunch, perhaps trying local favorites like pan-fried goat cheese or Yi-style braised chicken. Your guide can recommend dishes to suit your tastes, leaving you refreshed for the winding paths and curious rock formations ahead.

After lunch, leave the open landscape behind and enter the Major Stone Forest—a world of towering stone walls, jagged peaks, and winding passages. The formations rise so closely together that the paths can feel like a natural maze, with only slivers of sky appearing overhead. Squeeze through narrow corridors, turn a corner, and suddenly find yourself face-to-face with another giant of stone.

Then watch the landscape change completely as you enter the Lesser Stone Forest. The towering walls give way to open lawns, water, and elegant stone formations scattered across the landscape, creating the feel of a natural garden. Meet the iconic Ashima Stone, whose distinctive silhouette is tied to the beloved Sani legend of Ashima—and perhaps see a little of her story in the rocks around you.