Minor Stone Forest (Xiaolinq)

The Minor Stone Forest sits adjacent to the main zone and is noticeably quieter even when the major section is packed. The stone here is the same Permian limestone, but the formations are sparser and the paths less developed, giving the area a more exploratory feel. Tibetan goats graze among the columns in some sections, and local Yi women in traditional embroidered dress sometimes offer to guide visitors through the less-marked routes.

A small lake near the centre of the minor forest reflects the stone columns on calm mornings, and this is one of the better photographic spots in the park. The paths connect directly to the major forest without needing to return to the main entrance, making a combined circuit of both sections a natural half-day walk.

things to do sight
A story
The Ashima legend, central to Yi Sani culture, is set in this landscape. Ashima was a beautiful girl who refused an arranged marriage, was imprisoned by a warlord, and drowned in a flood. According to the legend, she was transformed into a stone pillar in the Minor Stone Forest — the column pointed out to tourists, a tall graceful formation, bears an undeniable resemblance to a standing figure. The story was made into a 1964 Chinese film that became famous across the country.