The most beautiful natural sites to discover Southwest China

We understand why the name of the name is seen by the strange pond in the clear waters, but it is tinged with black because of the aquatic herbs that grow at the bottom. At the end of the pond, a beautiful arched bridge and a Chinese pavilion on water make up a beautiful array of mountains.

Kunming's most curious attraction is the stone forest, a fantastic rock chaos with strange shapes. Seen by far, these stone formations resemble a huge forest. It is a magical place, a true natural museum that is part of the world's largest karst formation. They stretch from the famous sugar breads of Guilin through Guizhou province to Kunming, which, here with its ruiniform relief, becomes the stone forest. It was originally part of the sea bottom, formed by calcareous layers shaped by a 270 million-year-old submarine erosion, which was deformations of the earth's crust to become this large set of stone columns.

The strange formations of this labyrinth of rocks of sometimes 30 m span over 27,000 ha. Only 80 hectares are open to tourists with trails arranged over 5 km. It's an age-old landscape, a maze of petrified shapes where it's easy to get lost if you get out of these paths in rock. In these landscapes of another planet with tiny peaks, small cellars, small ponds between columns and stone walls, rocks sometimes in unstable equilibrium, we have the strange feeling of walking in a maze of stones. Some Chinese pavilions built on raised points allow to kiss some of these rocks with bizarre shapes. China's imagination finds this to be a vagrant, and poetic and evocative names abound: the Epouse waiting for her husband, the Stone Bell, the Two Birds giving each other one to eat, the Stairs that climb into Heaven, the Phoex smooth his wing…

Despite the admission price that is considered exorbitant for a natural site, if you have to visit at least one cave in Guilin, it is this one that must be chosen. Located north-west of Guilin on the south slope of Guangming Mountain, this limestone cavern measures 240 m long and contains 500 m of interior corridors. In front of the entrance of the cave, boulders were made with which flutes were made, hence the name straight from a fairy tale. Inside, erosion cut stalagmites and stalactites into columns, curtains and stone flowers, giving instead magical beauty and impressive diversity.

Already fascinating by its proportions, the cave becomes even more so thanks to the highlights, which recreate in each gallery a different atmosphere, but above all detach ensembles, forcing our imaginations to perceive particular shapes. Hence the interest, if you are large enough, to request an English guide for the visit. For in any case, the group visit and the guide will be imposed on you. Please note that the floor can be slippery, so we advise you to get in bed…

You'll probably hear the water growling before you get to the site! With its 71 m height and 80 m wide, the Huangguoshu waterfall is the most impressive in Asia. Take the small trail that takes you to the entrance of the cave behind the water curtain. The trail goes down and takes you to the Rhinoceros basin. According to the season, the show can be radically different. Only one regret too often in China, the prohibitive cost and the mass tourism side.

Falls over the seasons

During the rainy season (May to October). The village of Huangguoshu is filled with a cloud of water vapor. The site is transformed and offers you a spectacular foam show. The place is invaded by Chinese and Western tourists especially the months of July and August.

During the dry season (November to April). At some times water flow can decrease. The site welcomes fewer tourists at that time. Although the show is less impressive, the walk is more pleasant. You will not be allocated by one of the many souvenir merchants…

The rushing waters force a passage through these gorge of 17 km long and a difference of 196 m forming a series of falls. The gorges are divided into upper, medium and low gorges. The lowlands are the most frightening of the three. The width at some places above the precipice is only about metres away. Legend tells us that a hunted tiger escapes on the opposite shore by a big leap (hence name).

In bad weather, the Tiger gorges are deemed dangerous (and time is quite capricious in these mountains). Sometimes we have to wait several days for the return of the nice weather to go on expedition. Take a few days of margin in your travel schedule if you want to take trekking in the region.

Trekking in the gorge: Trekking is not necessarily difficult, but is still asking for essential precautions in mountains: do not leave alone, provide water and food, hot clothing, good walking shoes and flashlight. Count 2 good days of walking (about 8 hours walk per day) but you can of course stay longer…

Two hikes are offered, we recommend you take the oldest path known as the "24 turning trail trail". The most adventurous, from Qiaotou to join Daju, will successively cross the villages of Nuoyu, then Yacha, Yongsheng, Bendiwan and finally Dabai. You will be able to admire on your road great rapids. For those who are not fans of hiking, you will be able to take a tour of the sea by bus (approximately 250 RMB). Des take you to discover the landscape!
The gorges are accessible from Qiaotou or Daju. You have to take the bus.

For Qiaotou, buses leave Lijiang in the morning and early afternoon (about 15 RMB).

For Daju, take a bus directly at Lijiang long distance station (approximately 4 hours drive - 30 RMB).

You can also reach Head (several buses per day).

Located in the northeast of the city, Mount Hill, or the "Vagues de Waves", stands isolated, forcing the Lijiang River to slow down its race and form a deep pond. Apart from the pleasant panorama, we come to see the cave of the Restored Pearl, which is carved in the stone of Buddhist bas-reliefs.

This famous hill, at the confluence of the Lijiang and Yangjiang rivers, evokes an elephant plunging its cheater into water: It is the symbol of the city. A circular cave called «the Cave of Water and Moon» was formed between the cheating and the hill. On the full moon days, we can go by boat contemplating the reflection of the moon in the water. On the inner and outer walls, 50 sculptures in the stone of different dynasties. A small trail leads to the top of the hill where the Puxian pagoda stands, built under the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

This site covers 110 km ². The landscapes are sublime. It is one of the largest karst pitons forests. We recommend you take a minibus to visit the site. The most courageous will do it on foot (it takes 4 hours of walking). Xu Xiake, a famous Chinese writer and geographer, describes the forest landscapes at the ten thousand summits in his notes. He was particularly fascinated by the sunset of the sun on limestone peaks.

Situated in the south-west of the city, Caohai's "Herbue sea" is named because of the forest of reeds which covers nearly 70% of its surface. Shallow (about 2 metres), the place is often compared to a swamp. The lake is among the natural jewels in Guizhou province. Bordered by rice fields, it covers about 20 km ² and was classified as a national natural reserve by the Chinese government in 1992. This reserve hosts many bird species that can be observed throughout the year, including the black-collar crane, which is in the process of extinction.

Water is at a natural temperature of 60 ° C. According to specialists, Longsheng's spring water would have many virtues: fighting cancer, ageing and helping to get blood moving. The decor is paradise. A hotel (Longsheng Hot Spring Hotel, 龙胜温泉度假中心酒店) offers several formulas including treatments and baths. A little pleasure that has a cost: from 500 RMB the double room, not counting the care.

In a sumptuous setting, the hot springs of land as by magic. A little diving? You would be wrong to deprive you of it. Some sources are too hot so you can put a foot on it. A place where you can relax! Accommodation opportunities on site.

The park offers a beautiful walk in the middle of pines and ginkgos, far from urban turmoil. It houses the temple of Laifeng, a small Buddhist building to discover.

It opened its doors in 1999. The park has in fact just made it possible to pay access to ancient villages and temples, whose poor inhabitants certainly did not expect to become tourist attractions!

Just under 10 km south of Luxi, the thermal Springs of Fapa attract many visitors every year. The opportunity to allow a relaxing afternoon around a relaxing bath!

In the south of Kunming, the Dian Lake covers a surface area of 340 km ². By its size, it is the 6 ^th freshwater lake in China. As it is located in a plain surrounded by mountains, the Chinese say it's the "bright pearl of the plateau." Surrounded by hills covered with pines, bushes, bamboo and peach, the lake is a pleasant walk. When it is fine, water is crystal clear, when it makes the wind, waves to the white foam rise. In the vicinity of the lake there are different monuments such as:

the Contemplation of Contemplation (Daguan Lou),

the temple of the Majestic Pavilion (Huating Si),

The Temple of Supreme Splendour (Taihua If).

The ascent of the West Mountains offers superb views over the Dian lake and Kunming city. Unfortunately, the region bordering the south-west of the lake is highly industrialized and the clarity of the water is beginning to feel it.

In this slightly tristounet garden, some pavilions and a taoist monastery dominate the pond. There is also a tea house. A 5-minute walk is the Kunming Botanical Garden, where you can admire more than 40 species of camellias in the province of Yunnan.

Erhai Lake stretches over 250 km ² and is one of the largest lakes in the country. You can take a cruise on the lake, take 3 to 4 hours of walking. The walk is an opportunity to learn more about the lives of fishermen on the shores of the lake or on the islands of Jinsuo and Bustling. The lucky ones may have the opportunity to see some fishing for cormorants, an ancestral tradition that is gradually losing. Beware, the place is sometimes caught by hordes of tourists…

This complex is less impressive than the main one, but it has an unquestionable advantage, the vast majority of tourists do not pass. So it's an opportunity to walk in a stone forest without every corner of amateur photographers and noisy tourist groups.

In the Pleine forest, bungalows have been set up in height and connected between them by hanging galleries. They serve as an ideal observation point to try to see a few rare elephant herds or other animals such as macaques, white collar bats or wild horse. It is possible to spend the night on the site. A garden with Butterflies and Birds has also emerged in this protected nature reserve since 1996.