# Shilin Scenic Area 7-Day In-Depth Travel Guide: A Perfect Encounter of Natural Wonders and Yi Culture

Shilin Scenic Area is located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. It is a World Natural Heritage site, a Global Geopark, and a national 5A-level tourist attraction, famous for its unique karst landforms and rich Yi ethnic customs. This summer vacation, consider spending 7 days to deeply explore this magical land, experiencing the marvels of nature and the unique charm of ethnic minority culture. This guide will provide you with a detailed daily itinerary, including sightseeing, food experiences, accommodation recommendations, and transportation options to help you create an unforgettable in-depth trip to Shilin. Day 1: Arrival in Shilin, First Encounter with Yi Culture Morning: Transportation from Kunming to Shilin Departing from Kunming Changshui International Airport or downtown Kunming, you can choose the following ways to get to Shilin: Self-drive: Take the Kunshi Expressway for about 78 kilometers, approximately 1.5-2 hours, with good road conditions. Bus: Take a direct bus from Kunming East Bus Station to Shilin. There are two routes going to Shilin County Bus Station and Shilin Scenic Area Parking Lot respectively. The ticket price is about 40 RMB, and the journey takes 2 hours. High-speed rail: Take the high-speed train from Kunming South Station to Shilin West Station, about 18 minutes, then transfer to a bus or taxi to the scenic area. Afternoon: Check into a Characteristic Homestay Recommended to stay in Yi-style homestays in Wukeshu Village, such as: Huazhu·Xiyun Huashe Inn: Designed with the concept "A home cannot be without bamboo," featuring a minimalist Zen style, professionally soundproofed rooms, only 2 kilometers from the scenic area. Shilin Mijia Inn: Located in the first Yi village, decorated with ethnic characteristics, the hostess is warm and hospitable, and there is a communal kitchen area for self-cooking. Evening: Explore Wukeshu Village Wukeshu Village is a popular Yi-style village with: - A commercial street gathering Shilin colored jade and Sani embroidery - Specialty food restaurants - Water Shilin Hot Spring Resort - Local villagers often perform Yi ethnic dance in the evening Night: Dongmenfang Night Market Food Head to Dongmenfang Night Market in Shilin County to taste local snacks: - Must-try foods: Xiao Jing’s secret fried skewers, Hanhan’s tea, goose oil baked potatoes, Manjie’s small meat skewers, oyster feast - Specialty drink: Papaya cool water, refreshing and thirst-quenching Day 2: In-Depth Tour of Shilin Main Scenic Area All day: Shilin Scenic Area sightseeing Ticket info: Full ticket 130 RMB, student ticket 65 RMB, children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 70 years old free admission Tour route: - Morning: Great Stone Forest Area (Sword Peak Pool, Lotus Peak, Wangfeng Pavilion) - Noon: Dine at restaurants inside the scenic area or bring your own simple meal - Afternoon: Small Stone Forest Area (Ashima Statue), Guard Mountain, Liziyuanqing - Evening: Watch the sunset at Changhu Scenic Area (about 25 kilometers from the main scenic area) Tour tips: - The scenic area is vast; wear comfortable sports shoes - Strong UV rays in summer; take sun protection measures - You can hire a Yi ethnic guide for explanations to deeply understand geological formations and Yi legends Night: Yi Culture Experience - Watch the live-action performance "Ashima" (seasonal) - Learn the simple Yi dance "Da Sanxian" - Taste Yi specialty dinner: mutton soup pot, buckwheat cake dipped in honey Day 3: Naigu Stone Forest and Ice and Snow Ocean World Morning: Explore Naigu Stone Forest - Naigu Stone Forest is about 8 kilometers from the main scenic area, featuring black stone pillars, fewer tourists, more primitive and mysterious - Main attractions: Liang Zhu Meeting, Ancient Battlefield, Peacock Spreading Tail - Tour time: about 3 hours Afternoon: Ice and Snow Ocean World - A theme park integrating ice and snow landscapes, marine life displays, and amusement facilities - Featured attractions: Polar Pavilion, Ocean Pavilion, Ice and Snow Park - During Torch Festival, enjoy a 50% discount with consumption vouchers Evening: Hot Spring Relaxation Recommended experiences: - Water Shilin Hot Spring: Yi-style hot spring village located at the entrance of Wukeshu Village - Red Cedar Lake Hot Spring Hotel: Metasilicate hot spring, cleaned and disinfected daily, quiet environment Day 4: One-Day Tour of Surrounding Attractions Option 1: Jiuxiang Caves + Dadieshui Waterfall - Jiuxiang Caves: About 37 kilometers from Shilin, famous for underground cave landscapes, boat tours available in Yincui Gorge - Dadieshui Waterfall: The largest waterfall in Yunnan, with a drop of 88 meters, magnificent and imposing Option 2: Changhu + Guishan National Forest Park - Changhu: Plateau lake with clear water, suitable for boating and fishing - Guishan: Hiking and sightseeing, learn about Yi "fire-making" traditional culture Evening: Leisure in Shilin County - Stroll along the Bajing Scenic Belt to enjoy the night view - Rest at Taoyuan Lake Park’s bookstore or café - Taste Shilin’s old-brand snacks: Yuan Guodong’s braised meat rice noodles, Yang’s century-old steamed cakes Day 5: Yi Villages and Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Morning: Azhedi Yi Village - Experience traditional Yi residential life - Learn Sani embroidery skills - Visit Yi farming culture exhibition Afternoon: Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop - Experience making Shilin fermented tofu - Observe Guishan cured meat preparation - Taste and make goat cheese Evening: Bonfire Party - Participate in traditional Yi bonfire party - Learn to dance Da Sanxian - Taste specialty foods like whole roasted lamb Day 6: Food and Cultural Exploration All day: Shilin Food Tour - Breakfast: Banqiao cold rolled rice noodles or braised meat rice noodles - Lunch: Old House Restaurant (20-year-old establishment, traditional Shilin cuisine) - Dinner: Yi Mi Shui Xiang (Yi old cured meat, tile-fried goat cheese) Must-try specialty foods list: 1. Shilin horse meat soup pot: traditional Yi festival delicacy 2. Shilin goat cheese: made from goat milk, can be steamed, boiled, fried, or deep-fried 3. Guishan cured meat: comparable to Xuanwei ham, fatty but not greasy 4. Mutton soup pot: made from Guishan black goats, fragrant without gamey taste 5. Buckwheat cake dipped in honey: Yi ethnic specialty dessert 6. Bone ginseng: traditional Sani delicacy, can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or stewed Afternoon: Cultural and Creative Experience - Visit Shilin cultural and creative product stores - Shop for Yi ethnic handicrafts - Try on ethnic costumes for photos (free rental for college entrance exam students) Day 7: Departure and Shopping Morning: Free activities - Retake any unfinished scenic photos - Taste your favorite Shilin foods again - Buy souvenirs: goat cheese, fermented tofu, cured meat, embroidery, etc. Recommended shopping places: - Wukeshu Village commercial street: Yi handicrafts, colored jade - Shilin County specialty stores: packaged food specialties - Dongmenfang Night Market: snack souvenirs Afternoon: Departure Arrange your time according to your return transportation: - Self-drive: check vehicle condition and fill up gas - Bus: go to Shilin County Bus Station or scenic area parking lot in advance - High-speed rail: return from Shilin West Station to Kunming South Station Warm Tips: 1. Best season: Summer vacation is the peak tourist season in Shilin, with suitable temperatures (18-28°C), but pay attention to sun protection and rain prevention. 2. Transportation suggestions: - Bus No. 5 runs from Shilin County to Shilin Scenic Area, about 15 minutes - You can charter a car or use ride-hailing apps between scenic spots 3. Accommodation choices: - For ethnic style: homestays in Wukeshu Village - For comfort: hotels in Shilin County (e.g., Lemon Apartment Hotel) - For hot spring experience: Red Cedar Lake Hot Spring Hotel 4. Special events: - If visiting between July 17-23, you can participate in the Shilin Torch Festival series activities: Fire-making ceremony and themed evening parties "Ox King Competition" and other traditional folk activities "Ashima Food Festival" and consumption voucher discounts 5. Budget reference: - Economy: about 300-400 RMB/day - Comfortable: about 500-700 RMB/day - High-end: 800 RMB+/day 6. Essentials: - Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses - Comfortable hiking shoes - Lightweight rain gear - Camera and spare batteries 7. Cultural etiquette: - Respect Yi customs and habits - Ask for permission before photographing locals - Maintain solemnity during religious ceremonies