TOURSHOTELS

Burma, one of the highlights of my life

Our guides were excellent and met our needs with care. Thank you for all of your help.

Mr.John and Loretta Wortley

BRILLIANT TIME

Thank you so much for organizing our trip to Burma. It really was the trip of a lifetime

Susan Low & Guy Dimond

YUNNAN’S GEOLOGICAL FORESTS

We can tailor this trip to suit your specific requirements

Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursion to accommodation

OVERVIEW ITINERARY TOUR DETAILS REVIEWS

China is so much more than simply bustling cities and delicious food - this vast and exciting country also has some spectacular scenes of natural beauty, like you will discover on this tour of Yunnan’s Geological Forests.

Whereas you may expect the word ‘forest’ to describe an area densely populated with trees, the geological forests of Yunnan are actually comprised of karst formations grouped so close that they have been playfully nicknamed forests.

This concise three-day, two-night tour takes you to visit two of the region’s most popular and spectacular faux ‘forests’, the Black Stone Forest and the Yuanmou Earth Forest and immerses you deep in the breathtaking nature fresh, clean air of China’s Yunnan province.

THE BACKYARD DIFFERENCE

Go on a guided tour of Yunnan’s geological wonders at the lesser-frequented Black Stone Forest
Visit the Yuanmou museum and learn about the Yuanmou Man, China’s oldest fossilized remains
Picnic in the Earth Forest, regarded by some as the cradle of humanity, which has reached its present state after two million years of geological movement and soil erosion

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Kunming – Shilin - Kunming ...

Yuanmou - Kunming

Day 1

Kunming – Shilin - Kunming

The first day of your tailored trip to see the geological wonders of the Yunnan Province takes you to Shilin County where you will discover one of the major attractions of the region and a must-see site; the Lunan Stone Forest, a set of dramatic karst formations. While the term ‘forest’ is usually used for a large grouping of trees, the Lunan Stone Forest is one of several ‘forests’ in China that is made of rocks, rather than trees.

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After meeting your guide, you will begin your three to four-hour journey to the 26,000-hectare forest. A local expert, your guide will take you to the less-frequented Black Stone Forest, which is roughly ten-kilometers from the main site, but equally as impressive, to keep you away from the throng of tourists that visit the area.

According to a well-known myth in the region, gods created the Black Stone Forest by slicing up the mountains into smaller rocks so that they could offer them as gifts. The remainder of the rocks left over created the fascinating maze of ‘stone trees’ you can see in the park now. Just make sure you stick close to your guide – it really is a maze and it’s easy to get lost!

Although the mythical story is enchanting, Shilin’s seemingly endless rocky peaks, which come in an intriguing array of shapes and sizes, are actually simply a result of chemical erosion over time, caused by the natural elements.

Depending on the weather, you will be able to enjoy a picnic lunch while in the Black Stone Forest, so that you can take time to relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings and magical karst formations.

After the forest you will then take the two-hour journey to Kunming. Along the way you will be able to spot some of the old French train tracks. Although never colonized, China granted certain concessions to various Western countries during the 19^th century. In 1910, with a view to expand their reach within Asia, the French began a project to link Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam at the time, to Kunming. During the project they laid more than 450 kilometers of track, built more than 3,500 bridges and excavated 170 tunnels.

The tracks that remain are possibly the most significant trace of French presence in China, and you will have the chance at the end of your trip to ride on a portion of the lines they built around 100 years ago that are still in use by freight trains to this day.

After returning to Kunming you will be free to spend the evening at your leisure, taking a walk around the city streets or enjoy a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant before you retire to your hand-picked hotel. Whatever you fancy, your guide will be able to make a tasty suggestion, so don’t be afraid to ask their advice!

Overnight in Kunming

Meals included on this day: Dinner

Day 2

Kunming - Yuanmou

After breakfast on day two you’ll head to Yuanmou Earth Forest, which lies approximately five to six hours away, depending on traffic. Again, like the Black Stone Forest, Yuanmou Earth Forest is made up of a collection of rocks instead of trees, and is one of the three main ‘forests’ in Yunnan along with the Stone Forest (you visited on day one), and the Sand Forest.

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Overnight in Yuanmou

Meals included on this day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Yuanmou - Kunming

Your final day of this condensed Yunnan tour will begin with breakfast at your hotel before you depart for the Earth Forest, giving you another few hours to marvel at the natural beauty of the region.

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