The Stone Forest is a massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain, water and eroded to their present forms. Marine fossils found in the area suggest that the forest was once under sea.

A paved path less than a mile in length winds through that developed portion of the forest, through narrow crevices and past formationsthat resemble elephants, pagodas and swords thrust up from a sea of flames. It's easy to wander off the beaten path to scale formations in the distance even though climbing is prohibited in the 200 acre general tourist area.

These three elegant pagodas arise on the Mt. Cangshan slope overlooking the Erhai Lake the Three Pagodas of Saintly Worship. The outstanding landmarks of the region, they were once part of the greatest temple complex on the Dali plain. In the time of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, Chongshengsi was the largest monastery in this area and the Three Pagodas were only a part of it. Now, the monastery has long disappeared and only the Three Pagodas remain. In recent times the Three Pagodas site has become extremely popular with tourists.

Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. Some of them even progress prostrate by body length to the threshold of the temple. Pilgrims fuel myriad of flickering butter lamps with yak butter, or honor their deities with white scarves while murmuring sacred mantras to show their pieties to the Buddha.