喀斯特地址奇迹石林
The Stone Forest, located in Yunnan Province, is a breathtaking natural wonder renowned for its towering limestone formations that resemble a vast forest made of stone. Formed over 270 million years ago through erosion and geological activity, this UNESCO World Heritage site is rich in history and culture. The local Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group, add to the forest’s allure with interesting folklore. Exploring labyrinth-like pathways and dramatic rock pillars was really an extraordinary experience for every traveler.
云南省的石林是一个令人惊叹的自然奇观,以其高耸的石灰石地层而闻名。这些大量的石灰岩类似于一片巨大的石制森林。这处世界自然遗产因水土侵蚀和地质活动形成于2.7亿多年前,拥有丰富的历史和文化价值。当地的撒尼人是彝族的一个分支,他们有趣的民间传说为这片区域增添了别样的魅力。探索迷宫般的小径和穿行于独特的石柱间对每位旅行者来说都是一次非凡的体验。

The Stone Forest was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 because of its outstanding geological significance and unique karst landscape. It’s one of the world’s best examples of karst formations with limestone pillars shaped by millions of years of erosion and tectonic activity. The site is part of the South China karst, a vast region recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, intricate cave systems, underground rivers, and limestone features.
石林因其突出的地质和独特的喀斯特地貌于2007年被列为联合国教科文组织列入世界自然遗产。它是世界上绝佳的喀斯特地貌,其石灰岩柱经过数百万年的侵蚀和地质运动而形成。石林也是华南喀斯特地貌的一部分,这一广阔地区以其非凡的生物多样性、错综复杂的洞穴系统、地下河流和钟乳石灰岩特征而闻名。

I visited this famous scenic point on May 19th, 2024, during my summer trip in Yun Nan. Upon arrival of the entrance, I was attracted by the numerous stones of different forms. Despite its rugged, rocky landscape, the Stone Forest is home to a rich variety of plant life that thrives in the crevices and soil within the limestone formations. Begonias, bamboos, and Yunnan Pine can be seen in every corner of this park.
2024 年 5 月 19 日,我在云南的夏季旅行中参观了这个著名的景点。刚抵达入口,我便被各种形状的石头所吸引。尽管地势崎岖,岩石密布,但石林里也有丰富多样的植物,这些植物在石灰岩地层的缝隙和土壤中茁壮成长。在这个公园内的每个角落都可以看到秋海棠、竹子和云南松。

All visitors need to cross one bridge on the Shilin Karst Lake. It is a tranquil and elegant lake which still waters create a mesmerizing mirror effect, reflecting the limestone pillars that surround it. The lake is fringed with unique rock formations, some of which seem to rise directly out of the water like natural sculptures. There are some viewpoints allowing visitors to wander along the shore, offering peaceful spots to rest.
所有游客都需要穿过石林湖上的一座桥抵达景区。这是一个安静而优雅的湖泊,平静的水面呈现出迷人的镜面效果,倒映着周围的石灰岩柱。湖边两岸布满了独特的岩层,它们从水面中升起,如同浑然天成的雕塑一样。湖畔有些观景点可供游客沿着湖岸漫步,提供安静的休息地点供游客享受慢生活。

During the Permian Period, the area that is now the Stone Forest was covered by a shallow tropical sea.
Over millions of years, marine organisms like corals, shellfish, and algae thrived in this environment, leaving behind thick layers of limestone as they died and accumulated on the seabed. Due to tectonic movements, the seabed gradually rose above sea level, exposing the limestone deposits to air.
在二叠纪时期,现在的石林地区被浅浅的热带海洋覆盖。数百万年来,珊瑚、贝类和藻类等海洋生物在这种环境中繁衍生息,它们死亡后堆积在海底,留下厚厚的石灰岩层。由于地壳运动,海床逐渐上升到海平面以上,石灰岩沉积物暴露在空气中。

Karst landscapes are formed through a process of erosion, where soluble rocks, like limestone are gradually dissolved by water over long periods of time. The presence of soluble limestone is made primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Rainwater is slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide and forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), which chemically erode the rock. Over time, the acidity of rainwater or groundwater slowly reacts with the calcium carbonate, creating small cracks in the rock. Over long periods of time, the Karst landscape can evolve into a complex system of geological features, including limestone plateaus, sharp peaks, isolated columns, and underground caverns.
喀斯特地貌是通过可溶性岩石(如石灰岩)在很长一段时间内逐渐被水溶解而侵蚀的漫长过程形成的。可溶性石灰岩的主要成分是碳酸钙 (CaCO3)。由于雨水溶解了二氧化碳产生碳酸 (H2CO3)导致雨水呈弱酸性,从而对岩石进行化学侵蚀。随着时间的推移,雨水或地下水中的酸会慢慢和碳酸钙反应,在岩石上形成小裂缝。经过漫长的时间,喀斯特地貌可以演变成一个包括石灰岩高原、尖峰、封闭的立柱群和地下洞穴等复杂的地质特征系统。

Many huge stones are composed of various layers of limestone, which have eroded over millions of years. This erosion has created unique shapes and textures, from sharp edges to smoother, rounded forms. The intricate patterns on the stone surfaces resemble layers of barky and natural folds, and some wrinkles. At times, I felt like an explorer uncovering hidden treasures, each new path revealing a different formation that sparked my imagination—some stones looked like a giant’s face, while others resembled delicate spires rising toward the sky.
许多巨型石头由多层石灰岩组成,经过数百万年的侵蚀形成了独特的形状和从锋利的边缘到更光滑的圆形纹理。石头表面的复杂图案类似于树皮般的皱纹和自然褶皱。我甚至感觉自己就像一个探索宝藏的探险家,石林的每条新路径都导向不同构造的石头,激发出我的想象力。这里有些石头看起来像巨人的脸,而另一些则像尖顶直指苍穹。

Between the stone columns, there are small gaps, crevices, and caves, some of which visitors can explore. These openings form narrow passageways and hidden corners, creating a sense of mystery and discovery. Visitors can rest on the stone stools for a while when they felt tired. Over a long time, moss, lichen, and other small plants have grown on the stones, adding a touch of green to the monotonous grey and brown landscape.
石柱之间,有裂缝、洞穴,可供游客探索。这些开口形成狭窄的通道和隐蔽的角落,营造出一种神秘的感觉,勾起游客的探索欲。游客走累了,也可以在石凳上休息一会儿。随着时间的流逝,光秃秃的石头上长出了苔藓、地衣和其他小植物,为整体单调的灰褐色的景观增添了一抹绿。

The Major Stone Forest is the main and most famous scenic point, attracting numerous visitors. It is a labyrinth of jagged rock formations, shaped over millions of years by the forces of wind and water. The limestone pillars, some towering as high as 30 meters, stretch in all directions, creating a dense, maze-like environment where it’s easy to lose yourself in the twists and turns of the landscape.
大石林是这里最主要著名的景点,吸引了众多游客。这里是一座由锯齿状岩层组成的迷宫,经过数百万年的风力和水力作用而形成。石灰岩柱向四面八方延伸,有些高达30米,形成了一个密集的迷宫般的环境,游客很容易迷失在这曲折回绕的景观中。

The limestone spires are thin and elongated, resembling tall spikes. These formations reach upward, as though they are trying to touch the sky. Walking through these sections feels like wandering through a vast, jagged city of stone, with towering buildings rising up from the ground on all sides. The stone pathways can be uneven and rocky, so it’s important to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for walking.
石灰岩尖顶又细又长,形似高耸的尖刺。这些岩层向上延伸,仿佛要触及天空。穿过这些区域,感觉就像漫步在一座巨大而崎岖的石头城中,四周都是在地面上平地而起的高耸建筑。这些石路不平坦且多石,因此穿着结实舒适的鞋子特别重要。

Narrow paths wind through the stone pillars, leading visitors on a journey of discovery. These winding routes allow me to get up close to the stones and appreciate their unique shapes and textures closely. Stone steps leading up to the top of stones, are worn smooth by countless visitors. I liked to think deeply during my trip. Walking through these paths in the labyrinth made me think the meaning of life. Our life is like a labyrinth and we are always looking for the exit which path is the journey of our life.
狭窄的小路蜿蜒穿过石柱,引领游客踏上探索之旅。这些蜿蜒的小路让我可以近距离接触这些巨石,近距离欣赏它们独特的形状和纹理。通往石柱顶部的石阶早已被无数游客磨得光滑。我喜欢在旅途中深入思考。走在迷宫般的小路上,不由地令我思考起人生的意义。其实我们的生活就像一座迷宫,我们总是在寻找出口,而寻找出口这条路就是我们人生的旅程。

Sword Peak Pool is a beautiful, tranquil spot known for its stunning natural scenery and crystal-clear waters. The name refers to the shape of the surrounding peaks that resemble the sharp edge of a sword. It reflects the surrounding stone peaks, creating a picturesque view. It is a result of millions of years of natural erosion and geological processes.
剑峰池是一个美丽而宁静的地方,以其令人惊叹的自然风光和清澈的池水而闻名。剑峰潭因周围山峰的形状类似锋利的出鞘剑锋而得名。它倒映着周围的石峰,形成了如画的风景。这里也是数百万年的自然侵蚀和地质运动的结果。

The Stone Forest is interspersed with various smaller pools and streams that dot the landscape, each with its own charm. Some of these are tucked into crevices between rocks, while others sit in open clearings. I really marveled at these stone erected in the water, which silently create an almost fortress-like setting, giving the pond a hidden and mystical feel. It looks like an isolated environment far away from the mundane world.
石林中散布着各种较小的水塘和溪流,点缀着整个景观,每个都有自己的魅力。其中一些溪流隐藏在岩石之间的缝隙中,而另一些水塘则坐落在开阔地上。这些屹立在水中的石头令人浮想联翩,它们默默的创造出一种如同堡垒一样的环境,蕴涵一丝若隐若现的神秘感。看起来就像一个远离世俗世界的独立环境。

The whole park of stone forest is super large, and most visitors only have time to visit the Major and Minor Stone Forest within one day. The Minor Stone Forest consists of a smaller yet equally intricate collection of karst limestone formations. Unlike the towering 30-meter pillars of the Major Stone Forest, the rock formations here are relatively shorter and more clustered together.
整个石林公园非常大,大多数游客一天只能游览完大石林和小石林两个景区。小石林由较小但同样复杂的喀斯特石灰岩构成。与大石林高达30米的石柱不同,这里的岩层相对较矮小且更密集。

Unlike the more crowded Major Stone Forest, this area is quieter and less touristy, making it an ideal spot for visitors who prefer a more serene experience. The stones here are weathered into unusual shapes, resembling animals and mythical creatures, sparking the imagination of visitors. Every jagged rock peak with smooth, eroded surfaces tells a story of millions of years of natural sculpting. The scenes in this area have more greeneries and look more spacious and poetic.
与人潮涌动的大石林不同,这一带比较安静,人烟稀少,是喜欢静谧体验的游客的理想之地。这里的石头被风化成奇形怪状,形似动物和神话中的生物,充分发挥游人的想象力。每一块锯齿状的岩石山峰,表面光滑,记述着数百万年大自然的鬼斧神工。这一带的景色更加绿意盎然,看起来宽广辽阔、富有诗情画意。

The Minor Stone Forest is deeply connected to the Yi ethnic group, particularly the Sani people. This area is associated with local myths and legends, and some rocks are believed to be sacred, linked to ancient spirits and ancestors. Perhaps the most iconic rock is this stone which resembles a young woman in traditional Yi dress. According to local legend, it represents Ashima, a young and beautiful girl who fell in love with a man named Ahei, but their love was forbidden by Ashima’s family, who had arranged for her to marry a wealthier suitor. Desperate to be together, Ashima and Ahei fled and looked for their love. In the legend, Ashima was tragically turned into stone by the gods as a symbol of her devotion and sacrifice. Nowadays, the stone is a symbol of eternal love and unwavering faith which is rare in our society with fast rhythm.
小石林与彝族的撒尼人有着深厚的渊源。该地区与当地的神话传说息息相关,有些岩石被认为是神圣的,并与古老的神灵和祖先有关。也许最具代表性的岩石就是图中这块石头,它形似一位身着传统彝族服饰的年轻女子。根据当地传说,它象征着年轻貌美的女孩阿诗玛。她爱上了一个名叫阿海的男人,但他们的爱情遭到了阿诗玛家人的反对,他们安排她嫁给一个更富有的追求者。阿诗玛渴望和阿海在一起,于是两人私奔追寻他们的爱情。在传说中,阿诗玛被众神悲惨地变成了石头,作为她忠诚和对爱情牺牲的象征。如今,这块石头象征着永恒的爱情和坚定不移的信念,这种纯洁的爱情在我们这个快节奏的社会中已然不复存在。

The trip in the stone forest needs half days’ time. As the sun set and ligntened the towering limestone spires of the Stone Forest, it’s hard not to feel a sense of awe and wonder. It was indeed a wonderful place where the natural world and ancient myths came together. When I was on the way of leaving the park, I took with me more than just memories of the stunning landscape — also carried the echoes of legendary sad love stories touching my heart.
石林之旅共需要大半天时间。当太阳落山余晖照耀在石林高耸的石灰岩尖顶之际,我很难不感到敬畏和惊叹。这里确实是自然世界和古老神话交汇的奇妙之地。当我依依惜别时,随我心而去的不仅仅是对壮丽景观的回忆还有触动心弦的悲伤爱情故事的回响。

















