Haven’t you heard the legendary love story etched in stone? This is the tale of Ashima. The \u963f\u8bd7\u739b\u77f3\u50cf stands as a testament to this timeless fable.
The ethnic Yi people’s story speaks of love and loss. Ashima was a beautiful and quick-witted girl. Ahei was a kindhearted herder. They fell deeply in love.
However, a landlord’s greedy son desired Ashima for himself. He kidnapped her and hid her away. Ahei bravely challenged him to competitions of singing and wrestling. After three long days, Ahei emerged victorious.
Tragically, the villain flooded the Stone Forest. The lovers drowned. They were forever turned to stone.
Geologists say the Stone Forest was once underwater millions of years ago. The seabed dissolved creating stone spikes. These spikes jut skyward. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Two karsts are said to be Ashima and Ahei themselves. They were conjured by real forces not magic. The \u963f\u8bd7\u739b\u77f3\u50cf is an icon. It represents the Sanyi people. She is like their Statue of Liberty.
Many peaks in this park have human-like identities. They are associated with old stories. The stone spires bear names like Drunkard with a Drum. There is also Phoenix Pruning Its Wings and Rhinoceros Admiring the Moon.
One shard is said to be a shattered sword. Another is a cobra’s head. Yet another resembles the head of Ashima’s horse.
There is even a crocodile’s head with grass teeth. Locals pluck this grass. They put it to their lips to call the birds. The birds often reply.
The ranges also have evocative names. Knife Mountains and Fire Sea suggest blades and flames. The Lotus Pond gets its name from stones resembling blooms. They poke out of the water’s surface.
One mountain hides a secret. The Monkey King was wedged under it. This happened for centuries. He angered the Jade Emperor. A cavity at the summit is where he begged for his monk master’s help.
Other stories claim Taoists became immortals in this cave. During a Qing Dynasty uprising, the grotto served as a prison for insurgents. Rebels used the Stone Forest as their base. Imperial soldiers scaled the peaks searching for them. The highest peak is 1,769 meters.
People still get lost here daily. Like those Qing soldiers, guides often hunt for them. Lichen and moss fill the cracks between stones. Vines clasp many of the spires. Locals slice these vines. They use the bloodlike sap as a cure-all. Legend says Ashima and Ahei swung on these vines while dating.
Medicinal herbs and wild grapes grow here. The grapes dangle like gemstones. The floral display peaks during China’s National Day Golden Week. Cosmos flowers bloom everywhere. Fist-sized spiders and fluttering butterflies also abound. Gray herons and eagle-owls flit through the stone spires.
The \u963f\u8bd7\u739b\u77f3\u50cf is more than a rock formation. It is a symbol of enduring love and cultural identity. It shapes how people experience this vast landscape. An ancient saying declares seeing the Stone Forest is essential. Don’t waste your time in Kunming without seeing it.
The Stone Forest’s \u963f\u8bd7\u739b\u77f3\u50cf continues to enchant. The story shapes how we experience the vast area. Remember Ashima and Ahei. Their love is forever etched in stone.