National park · China
Shilin National ParkShílín National Park
Visit Shilin for a day: take the bus from Kunming (≈¥35) to the scenic area, explore the Major Stone Forest (≈2 h), and leave before 18:00 to avoid the last bus crowd.Visit Shilin for a day: take the bus from Kunming (≈¥35) to the scenic area, explore the Major Stone Forest (≈2 h), and leave before 6:00 PM to avoid the last bus crowd.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²)
- Park covers roughly 400 km² of karst landscape; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Shilin National Park, known as the Stone Forest, protects a vast karst formation in Yunnan and offers walking routes among towering limestone pillars, cultural performances, and nearby cave attractions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2007UNESCO listing for the Stone Forest region.
Size and age
400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²) · national park since 2000
Park covers roughly 400 km² of karst landscape; figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Walk among towering karst pillars in the Major Stone Forest.
- See Yi minority cultural performances at the park entrance.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, fewer tourists
- FebMild weather
- MarClear skies, comfortable temps
- AprIdeal for walking
- MayWarm, occasional rain
- JunHeat rises, occasional showers
- JulHot, possible thunderstorms
- AugPeak heat, rain
- SepCooling down, less rain
- OctComfortable, clear
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, low crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local karst flora and occasional birdsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Major Stone Forest | Dense karst pillars, viewpoint, winding stone steps. | Open with ticket; walk from entrance. |
| Minor Stone Forest | Smaller pillars and caves nearby. | Open with ticket. |
| Qifeng Cave | Cave with stalactites, short walk from main area. | Open with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of the main scenic area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry ticket | CNY 120 (≈ US$17) | person | Includes access to Major Stone Forest; price as of 2026 estimate (check). |
| Shilin Snow and Ocean Park ticket | CNY 215 (≈ US$35) | person | All‑inclusive entry, optional. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥120≈ US$17
- CN¥215≈ US$35
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage – Stone Forest before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
- Guides
- Not required for main trails but recommended for remote areas.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay in Kunming or nearby towns.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kunming city hotels
Wide range of budget to mid‑range options, 1 h drive to park.
Safety
Heat on stone steps medium
Getting lost in dense stone forest low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance and major trails are reachable by car with short walks.
- Stone steps can be steep; limited mobility visitors may find them challenging.
Visiting lightly
- Buy souvenirs from official stalls to support local Yi communities.
- Carry out all rubbish; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Shilin?
The standard park ticket is ¥120 per adult (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Shilin?
The Major Stone Forest loop (≈2 h, moderate) and the Minor Stone Forest trail (≈1 h, easy) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Shilin?
October to April offers cooler weather and fewer crowds; March–April are especially pleasant.
Can I reach Shilin by train?
Yes, high‑speed trains run from Kunming South to Shilin West; transfer to a local bus for the park.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
No, overnight camping is prohibited; stay in Kunming or nearby towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go