No off-season in the Stone Forest | Reverse travel to avoid the crowds

|Reverse travel to avoid the crowds. As a world geological park and a world natural heritage site, the Stone Forest is a must-see attraction in Yunnan. It is open all year round, and there is no off-season. Here is a reverse travel guide for independent travelers!

Why not join a tour group?
I compared the options before departure. After all, a one-day tour is cheaper than going on your own. But I found that the tour was very rushed, with only a 2-hour stay in the scenic area, and only a small part of the area was covered. Most tour groups visit in the morning, so it is very crowded. As a mature attraction, the Stone Forest is very convenient for independent travelers in terms of transportation and travel routes.

🚌Transportation:
High-speed rail: CNY28.5. Get off at Shilin West Station, and take Bus 99 directly to the scenic area. The one-way fare is CNY10.
Bus: Take a bus at Kunming East Bus Station. The fare is CNY35 per person. The bus departs when full.
Ride-hailing (Didi): I tried this. From Jinma Biji to the entrance of the Stone Forest, the fare for 2 people was CNY79 + CNY20 for the expressway toll. Whether you choose a private ride or not, the driver will carpool (to make a profit), but a car is faster and saves time. It is very convenient to go there, but you may have to wait for a ride back, as the driver will only leave when the car is full.

🎫Tickets:
CNY130. Half price for seniors over 60 years old. Free for seniors over 70 years old. Shuttle bus: CNY25 (recommended, as it is a long walk from the ticket office to the entrance of the scenic area, and there is no scenery along the way).

🌈Tips to avoid the crowds:
1️⃣If you only have half a day, you can arrive after 13:00. The one-day tour groups leave for lunch at 13:30, and there are fewer groups in the afternoon.
2️⃣If you plan to spend a whole day (worth it), arrive in the morning. See the blue line on the map for the route! The red line is where the tour groups gather. Visit the Greater Stone Forest first, and then return to the Lesser Stone Forest to avoid the crowds. There are also hundreds of small paths full of wild fun! Walk around and the whole world will belong to you alone.
3️⃣Don't worry about getting lost. Open Baidu Maps, and the small paths are clearly marked. There are road signs along the way, but not many.
4️⃣Bring water and food. The scenic area is very large, and there is only food in the middle and at the exit.
5️⃣Check the weather forecast! It was 18°C when I went. It was cloudy at noon, and I didn't feel hot in a down jacket. It only felt hot when the sun came out in the afternoon.
6️⃣Pay attention to sun protection, as the UV rays are very strong.

The gift of nature is very impressive and worthwhile. Every small path is like an exploration journey, and I spent 4-5 hours there without realizing it. I hope this guide will help you have an unforgettable day in the Stone Forest.