Stone Forest - Nunming, China

The last day of our South West China tour . We were up early in the morning and traveled by bus to the incredible Stone Forest. We flew to Hanoi at 9 a.m. so we had a very long and most interesting day. 

This New Year's Dragon greeted Papa as we walked into the Stone Forest
in a red carpet with a band playing and dancing girls waving us on.

We were honored guests

This amazing park was "discovered" in 1980.  The Yi minority lived 
here for centuries, very isolated from life.  No roads in or out. 
UNESCO is involved in so many projects in China.
 Are you ready for a trip through an incredible adventure?

Reading the Chinese characters from right to left - Stone Forest

Christine Sutherland from Provo...It was cold and windy and I was 
suffering from allergies so I wrapped all up like a mummy!

The native costume of the Yi (E) women and girls

An earthquake broke this rock off and it is lodged between two rocks

This is a piece of coral

Papa held this little boy and he started squalling for his Mama

A very cold and cloudy day but you can see some of the reflection in the water.

A great hiding place in this cave.  The Yi people lived in these caves.

All of these limestone rocks were under water 400 million years ago.

The crack along the rocks shows where the water settled and eroded the limestone rocks.

This Stone Forest goes on for miles....a vast area.

Our guide took us to places that tourist do not find. 
 The area is untouched...incredible.

Tons of people visiting...see the pagoda

This is a poem that Chairman Mao wrote and we have no
 idea what is says but your Dad wanted a picture.

Adorable little Yi childrren...

If you don't have time to plant your flowers in the ground, just stick the entire 
tray out and fluff some mulch around them!  Thousands of trays lined the parkway.

This is a train track in Kunming that leads to Hanoi.