The Stone Forest. Shilin, The Stone
Forest, is a rare geological phenomenon about 70 miles southeast
of Kunming. It is 200 acres of limestone
pillars that, from a distance, resemble a forrest. (photo by Aaron)
Sani People. The colorful Sani minority
live in and around The Stone Forest . They willingly pose for
pictures, and visitors can dress in male
and female Sani attire. Alyssa did so. (photo by Aaron)
Tour Group. We visited The Stone
Forest with a group of lively English and Chinese
teachers from Thailand studying at Yunnan
Normal for a month. Qinwei from the
university's Foreign Affairs Office is
in the back row in the gray coat. (photo by Lyle)
City View. The Western Hills, a
range of mountains less than 10 miles from Kunming, provides
excellent views of Kunming to the east.
The hills rise 2,000 feet above Lake Dian, the sixth largest
lake in China. (photo by Aaron)
The Dragon Gate. At nearly
8,200 feet high, The Dragon Gate is the highest temple in Western Hills.
The gate was carved into the face of a
cliff and seems to be perched in thin air. (photo by Aaron)
Over the Hump Monument. Flying
over the imposing Himalayan mountain range (or "Over the Hump")
was a dangerous mission. This monument
just north of Kunming commemorates the Flying Tigers,
who were stationed in the city during
World War II. (photo by Aaron)