Stock photography, photos: Stone Forest - Yunnan, China Stock photos of Visitors making handprints on a large rock at the Stone Forest, thought to bring good luck. The Stone Forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kunming and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square km (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as many other scenic spots. Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest, all feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. The Stone Forest is a typical example of karst topography. Approximately 270 million years ago - during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era - the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over time, the movements of the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. China. Photograph: © Robert Burch Click for a larger image and more information Keywords associated with this stock photo: asia, china, kunming, yunnan, stone forest, stones, karst, lunan yi, yi