The beginning of my Yunnan Dream
Yunnan is an area of considerable geological activity that has caused the land to gradually rise. This would lead to seawater slowly flowing away as the land eventually rose above sea level. The exposed rock, limestone, was very vulnerable to a process known as weathering, particularly by rain, which is slightly acidic. The bare surfaces also were exposed to strong sunlight and wind, all of which helped break down the limestone into the quite distinctive karst landscape seen today. Its pinnacles resemble stalagmites, at times resembling trees, giving the illusion of a forest formed from stone. It has created a quite dramatic landscape through which walkways and steps have been laid to allow visitors safe access. The area is vast, encompassing over 350 square kilometers, featuring several distinctive physical zones. Apart from the popular main Stone Forest area there are smaller examples along with lakes, waterfalls, and subterranean caves featuring many classic geological textbook features. Since 2007 two areas have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of the South China karst landscape. As a geographer bringing British people interested in the subject, it was a place we could have easily spent considerable more time studying and learning of its complex geology.
Many Sani people live around the area, not only running souvenir stalls but retaining long-held traditional legends of Shilin, while celebrating their unique Torch Festival there every lunar year on June 24.
Kunming proved to be a very interesting city both to visit and explore, indeed every visit would reveal more to me such as the Provincial Museum. However, more lifelong memories awaited as the next day I would be setting off on exciting travels such as in 1995, north to Dali and Lijiang – all part of my Yunnan Dream.
