Eighty-five kilometers east of Kunming lies the magical ‘First Wonder of the World’, Stone Forest, Shilin. Towering limestone formations left behind from more than 270 million years ago form this monstrous masterpiece of nature, and in the sixth lunar month, the Torch Festival is celebrated here with folk dances and wrestling competitions.
2. A temple like no other
The Yuantong Temple, built in the 9th Century is the most famous Buddhist centre in the Yunnan province. In the 1950s, it played host to a very unique ceremony – the handing over of Buddha’s tooth! Other notable holy houses include: Bamboo (Qiongzhu) Temple on Yu'an Mountain, Huating Temple in Western Hills and Black Dragon Pool Temple in Longquan Hill.
According to local folklore the mountains around the Dianchi Lake form the silhouette of a sleeping woman whose grief and tears over the loss of a loved one pooled into the water below. It’s ancient love at its finest!
Sixteen kilometers west of Kunming, the Dragon Gate Temple at the Dragon Golden Mountain boasts the most stunning view of the lake and surrounding mountains that’ll steal your heart.
