A city of limestone towers rises in western Madagascar.

The Bemaraha National Park, situated in the west of Madagascar, has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. And for good reason… 752 km² of breathtaking scenery with this incredible stone forest known as the Tsingy.

From the Malagasy word “mitsingitsignia”, which means ‘to walk on tiptoe’, the term Tsingy has been accepted in common language to denote the exceptional topography. This topography of eroded limestone may exist in other areas around the world, but nowhere as tall, slender and extensive as the spires here.

Beneath this apparent austerity, an extraordinary world of forest canyons, humid caves and burning karst karren is inhabited by fundamentally differing plants and animals who thrive in close proximity.

Thanks to Stephen Alvarez

We could only think of forest consisting of mainly flora and fauna. Don’t get me wrong because in China, there is a forest that consist of stones. You read it right, this one of-a-kind nature’s marvel can be found in the district of Kunming in Yunnan, China. Known locally as Shilin, this region of karst formation covers 400 square kilometers that includes big and small stone forests making it the most important attraction of the entire province.

Research shows that 270 million years ago, the Stone Forest was a shallow sea before. As time goes by, lithosphere elements move that causes the water to retreat and the emerging of these limestone landscapes. Erosion of these elements mainly cause the existence of the modern-day Stone Forest. That mainly explains the existence of underground river, karst lake, underground stone forest and other attractions found here.

Speaking of attractions, Stone Forest has a lot to offer it’s yearly visitors and tourists. There is the Subterranean Stone Forest, Strange Wind Cave, Long Lake, Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest. One of much-awaited events here is the Torch Festival which is held every lunar year of June 24. In this festivity, Sani people (natives of the place) along with the expectators take part in the traditional events such as wrestling, bull fighting, pole-climbing, dragon-playing, lion-dancing and the A-xi Moon Dance. This is also the best time for young men and women meet their future spouses. No other place like Stone Forest offers the best of both worlds: tradition and natural wonder.