As you wander though the Stone Forest, you will be surrounded by the rising stone peaks, layer after layer of green hills, and the wide-spread stone peaks of the forest. What a strange stone world this is!

The scenery of ” Figure of Ashima “, Lotus peak ” folklores and so forth greatly astonish visitors; the scenic spots are all miraculous. You will be astonished by the unique peaks and strange caves, by the Flying-Down Mountain Spring, and by Plateau lake. All these wonders combine to present you with a picture of astounding natural beauty.

The Yi people have for centuries lived in what is now Shilin Yi Autonomous County, 82 kilometers east of Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province. Their tribes include 27 kindred branches, including the Sani. The Sani is the largest, and the Sani folk epic, Ashima, known throughout China, has been translated into over 20 languages, including English, Russian and Japanese.

After the founding of the People’s Republic, this epic was adapted into a film that won top dance prize at the Spanish International Film Festival. Ashima, which means “girl as beautiful as gold,” is the heroine of the epic. She epitomizes the finest qualities of the Yi people — diligence, kindness, honesty, and a love of life. Ashima has become a name synonymous with beautiful, gentle Yi girls. Ahei is the hero of the epic, and is strong, warm-hearted, clever, honest and brave. Here is a picture taken with Yi girl in Ashima’s costume.