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.